Study Guides
There are two main recommended study materials for the ACE exam, and any number of additional resources that can help prepare applicants.
- IPM for the Urban Professional: A Study Guide for the Associate Certified Entomologist
- NPMA Field Guide to Household Pests (available as an app or physical copy).
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.
Additional resources to consider include:
- 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.
- Kenmuir, Sylvia. 2021. Ace the Ace Podcast (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts)
- 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. 1997. (8th Edition) and 2004 (9th Edition) Mallis Handbook of Pest Control. G.I.E. Publishing, Cleveland, OH.
- Ware, G. W. 2000. The Pesticide Book. Thompson Publications, Fresno, California.
- NPMA ACE-Track Webinar series
Drs Mike Merchant, BCE (TAMU) and Bob Davis, BCE (BASF) have developed a series of PowerPoint slides that are available to approved instructors of an ACE review course. The slides follow the course outline. A copy of the slides may be requested by emailing Dr. Merchant or Dr. Davis for proctors and instructors. The slides are not meant for self-study.
Review Courses
Many applicants to the ACE program find it helpful to sit through a review course. However, you should view them as an enhancement to your training, not as a stand-alone way to prepare. On rare occasions, ESA hosts ACE review courses, though mostly the education community provides this training. If you are hosting an ACE Review Course and would like it added, please send the details to admin@entocert.org.
For any of the classes and courses, please be aware that in almost every case you will need to register twice -- once with ESA to apply to become an ACE and once with the organization hosting the course.
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.