Renew ACE Certification

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Exam Information

The ACE-I exams will be in English with no translation options. For ACE-I there will be two exams. The ACE Core Exam will cover most of what is found on the content outline for the U.S.A. version, but any questions about pesticide safety will be stripped and any questions on the U.S.A. version that deal with laws or regulations in the United States will be removed from the exam. This will drop the exam down to approximately 140 questions. A second exam–The ACE-I Pesticide Safety Exam–will also be required for ACE-I certification. This exam will by approximately 30 questions long. Both will require a score of at least 75% to pass and applicants must pass both exams in order to become ACE-I certified.

The Content Outline is the subject matter upon which the exam will be based.

All ACE-I exams will be delivered in a proctored setting with a 4 hour maximum time limit to complete both exams.

Suggested Study Resources:

The ESA Certification Board recommends that ACE applicants spend a minimum of 40 hours of self-study prior to attempting the exam, regardless of how long the individual has been working in the pest management industry. There are two recommended study books, and any number of additional resources that can help prepare applicants. 

(1) IPM for the Urban Professional: A Study Guide for the Associate Certified Entomologist

(2) NPMA Field Guide to Structural Pests

Familiarity with information in these references, along with solid hands-on experience in the pest control industry, and participation in ongoing continuing education should adequately prepare prospective ACE candidates to take the certification exam.

Additionally, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has developed a set of webinars that ACE applicants can use for independent study. Click here for more information.  Most applicants should be able to find abundant resources online, in the library, and in most book stores. Many of these titles are already on your bookshelf. You should not need to purchase ALL of titles, as there is much overlap between many of the core materials in use today. An applicant should have a familiarity with the subject matter as defined in the Content Outline. The sources of that information are plentiful.

Other resources to consider for additional studying:

ACE-International Core Exam

  • Bennet, G., J. Owens, and R. Corrigan [eds.]. 1997.  Truman's Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations.  6th ed.  Questex Media, Duluth, MN.
  • Gold, R. E., and S. C. Jones [eds.]. 2000. Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests. Entomological Society of America, Annapolis, MD.
  • Hedges, S. A. 1996.  Field Guide for the Management of Structure-Infesting Flies. G.I.E. Publishing, Cleveland, OH.
  • Hedges, S. A. 1998.  Field Guide for the Management of Structure-Infesting Ants. G.I.E. Publishing, Cleveland, OH.
  • Hedges, S. A., and M. S. Lacey. 1996.  Field Guide for the Management of Structure-infesting Beetles.  Vols. I (Hide and carpet beetles/ wood-boring beetles) and II (Stored product beetles/occasional and overwintering beetles). G.I.E. Publishing, Clevland, OH.
  • Koehler, P. and Pereira, R. General Household Pest Control. University of Florida IFAS.
  • Kramer, R. 1998.  PCT Technician's Handbook. G.I.E. Publishing, Cleveland, OH.
  • Mallis, A.  Mallis Handbook of Pest Control.  G.I.E. Publishing, Cleveland, OH.
  • Ware, G. W. 2000.  The Pesticide Book. Thompson Publications, Fresno, California.
  • ACE Code of Ethics
  • NPMA ACE-Track Webinar series

ACE-International Pesticide Safety Exam

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