CCA Exam FAQ

What exams do I need to take and pass to become eligible for CCA certification?

To become eligible for the CCA certification, you must take and pass BOTH the International and your local (state/province/region) board exams.  *To become certified in the  Mid-Atlantic Region (DE, MD, NJ, VA, WV), you must also pass the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia or West Virginia Nutrient Management Exam.  For more information, please contact the correct agency.

What is the registration cancellation policy?

For scheduled exam dates, you may cancel at any time up to the registration deadline. Note that you will only receive a refund for any amount over $75.00. The exam fee is non‐refundable after the registration deadline. This also applies to retest applications.  Exam fees will not be transferred to another exam date. Please contact your certification representative with any questions.

How is my result determined?

The total number of correct answers as compared to a passing score determines whether you pass the exam.  The passing score reflects the difficulty of the exam as determined by subject matter experts in agronomy using statistical methodology consistent with psychometric practices and standards used for credentialing exams (see below for more detail).  We will only provide pass/fail results on our exams.

How are passing scores determined?

The actual passing score is determined by a criterion-referenced procedure called the Modified Angoff Technique. In brief, a selected group of subject matter experts in the agronomy field review the exam questions and evaluate them according to how successful a group of minimally competent candidates would be in answering each question on the exam, which then determines a minimum passing score for a particular exam.

When will my results be available?

Exams offered as continuous testing will receive immediate pass/fail results on-screen after the exam is submitted. You will have the option to print or email the exam results.  Within 7 – 10 business days for continuous exams, you will also receive an email when official exam results are released with a specific password protected URL to log into.  Exams not offered as continuous testing will receive an email approximately four weeks after the exam date when official exam results are released with a specific password protected URL to log into. For Fail results only, you MAY receive the category areas needing the most improvement for future study.  Please whitelist or note as a safe sender the email certification@sciencesocieties.org on your email account as this is the email we use to send email notifications to you.

If I call ASA, will they tell me my results over the phone?

No. Exam results are confidential and notification will be sent by email to the original registrant's email address. The notification will include a specific link that requires the registrant to use their password to access their exam results. We cannot disclose pass/fail status via fax or phone to anyone.

Will ASA send my results to a different address, email, or to anyone else?

Exam results are confidential and only released to the candidate.

If I need to retake the exam, how soon may I register?

The International CCA Exam, most CCA local board exams and all but one specialty exam are currently offered as continuous testing  There is a 15 day waiting period before you can schedule an appointment to retake any continuous exams.  A few CCA local board and one specialty exam are currently administered two times per year in February and in August.  The expectation is to have all exams on continuous testing by the end of 2023.  Watch for announcements on the CCA website as well as from your local board for notification that specific exams are moving to the continuous testing platform. Contact the ASA/CCA Office at 608-273-8085, Fax: 608-273-2081, email: Send Message, mail: ASA/CCA, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711-5801 for registration information or you can register online at www.certifiedcropadviser.org.

How long do I have to pass both exams?

Beginning with the February 2017 exam administration, a policy was set in place of a five-year time limit to pass both the international and local board exams. This time limit begins with the first passed exam results being reported. If the five-year time limit is exceeded without both exams being passed, exam results are nullified, and the applicant starts over in year six.  Example of five-year time limit:  February 2018 to February 2023. August 2023 would be year six and the applicant would need to start over with taking both exams.

Once I pass both exams, how much crop advising experience do I need to become certified?

• A minimum of 4 years of crop advising experience with no degree in agriculture.
• A minimum of 3 years of crop advising experience with an associates degree in agriculture or certificate.
• A minimum of 2 years of crop advising experience with a BS degree in agriculture.
• Note: Additional experience may be gained after the exams have been passed, if needed.
• Note: Farming may count up to 1 year of the total work experience requirements.