Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg)
A Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) is a qualified agronomy expert who has met the standards – exams, education, experience, and ethics - set by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). Those holding the CPAg certification gain opportunities in employment and advancement, recognition with government agencies, and validation that one is qualified to practice – valuable when presenting credentials to current and future clients.
Who should be certified?
Any agronomist who advises growers on agronomic practices, conducts educational programs and /or does research in agronomy, manages other agronomists, or provides technical support to field agronomists and can meet the standards of the program should be certified.
Determining Eligibility
To qualify as a CPAg, you must have a B.S. degree which includes a minimum of 6 to 9 hours in each of the professional core categories; crop management, pest management/crop protection, and soil science. An applicant must also have 6 to 9 additional semester hours that relate to the three professional core areas and must have a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work in agronomic related courses.
The Local Certifying Board is concerned with whether an applicant can demonstrate they have successfully completed undergraduate (or graduate) course work in the professional core categories. If you meet these core course minimums, have a B.S. degree, and have five years of agronomic related work experience, we encourage you to apply for certification by completing the forms and submitting the required fee.
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 is required in the total professional core course requirement. This does not include the supporting core courses.
Steps to Certification:
1. Be a CCA in good standing and hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Agronomy or a similar field.
2. Have at least 5 years experience with a BS degree, 4 years with a Masters degree or 3 years with a Ph.D.
3. Document education and experience with transcripts and supporting references. (View Credential Forms)
4. Sign and agree to uphold the Code of Ethics
5. Once certified, earn 45.0 hours of continuing education (CEUs) every two-years and pay an annual renewal fee.
Once Certified: