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What is a CCA?

The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program is a membership service of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). Any public, commercial or independent adviser, who counsels farmers, ranchers or other agricultural entities and can meet the rigorous standards of the CCA program is encouraged to participate.

Requirements
The requirements include passing a comprehensive international exam and a state, regional or provincial (local) exam evaluating knowledge of soil fertility, soil and water management, integrated pest management and crop production. The applicant is required to document their education and experience, up to four years depending on their educational background plus sign and agree to uphold the CCA code of ethics. To maintain the CCA status, a certificate must maintain 40 hours of continuing education every two years.

History
Since 1992, more than 20,000 individuals have voluntarily sat for the CCA exams and of these approximately 10,000 have satisfactorily met the requirements and become certified. CCAs will play a critical role in the future of agriculture as they advise agricultural producers. Through their skill application, they will help keep agriculture competitive in a global economy while aiding the process of sustaining our natural resources and protecting our environment.

Who should be certified?
Any adviser/consultant that spends the majority of their time advising growers on agronomic practices and can meet the standards of the program.

Steps to Certification

If interested in becoming certified, we recommend you review the detailed documentation in the CCA Application and Credential Information Booklet and the 2025 Policy Manual before starting the process.

The steps to becoming a CCA are:

  • Meet the experience requirements to become a CCA or CCA Candidate
    • Have at least two years of experience and a Bachelor of Science Degree, Master's Degree or PhD in an agronomy related field.
    • Have at least three years of experience and an Associates Degree in an agronomy related field
    • Have at least four years of experience with no degree
    • If you do not yet meet the experience requirements, you are still able to take the exams and apply under CCA Candidate status. More information is available in the credential booklet.
  • Pass the two required comprehensive exams
    • You will need an account on the certified crop adviser website to register. Exams can be taken in any order. See the exams information page for more information.
      • International Exam: standardized general exam
      • Local Board Exam: based on the geographic location (state/province) that you mainly live or work in
  • Fill out the CCA credential booklet with your information
    • Your application must be sent within six months of passing both exams. This application includes:
      • Contact Information
      • Documenting education and crop advising experience. Transcripts** must be sent directly from the college or university you attended to the CCA office
      • Obtaining the necessary references by sending them links to the correct pdf: Employer or Client
      • Signing and agreeing to uphold the CCA Code of Ethics
      • Maintenance requirements upon becoming certified.
  • Send in your application
    • Download and email your completed application materials to certification@sciencesocieties.org.
  • Wait for review
    • Members of your local board will review and approve or deny your application. The board has up to six weeks to grant or deny your certification.
  • Receive your certificate
    • Once your application has been approved, you will receive a certificate for framing and a wallet card.
  • Transferring CCA Certification to Minnesota:
    • If you are a CCA currently certified in North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin and wish to transfer your certification to Minnesota, you may be eligible to do so without being required to take the local Minnesota exam. If you are currently certified in a state other than the ones listed above, you will be required to take the local Minnesota exam. To find out more, please email Jessica Elliot at jelliott@sciencesocieties.org.

Exam

Visit the Exam Tab for further information.

 

Amnesty Program

Rejoin without taking the exam: The Amnesty Program gives you an opportunity to reclaim your certification, no exam required. Whether you missed CEUs or didn’t renew, this is your chance to rejoin the CCA community and continue building your career.

Apply today: https://www.sciencesocieties.org/certified-crop-adviser/get-certified/amnesty

CCA Retired status

Certified Crop Advisers can apply for “Retired” status if they held CCA certification in good standing for at least 10 years and are fully retired and no longer compensated in any crop-advising field.

Key benefits and guidelines:

  • No CEU requirements while retired
  • Return to active CCA status within two years without retaking exams; after two years, exams are required again
  • Receive all CCA communications, including Crops & Soils digital magazine
  • A minimum International CCA fee of $35 applies; local boards may set additional fees

Questions? Send Message or call 608-273-8085.

Apply for retired status: https://www.agronomy.org/files/certifiedcropadviser/certified/cca-cpag-retired-application-form-2025-fillable.pdf

Technical Service Provider (TSP)

TSPs offer planning, design, and implementation services that meets USDA-NRCS criteria. The USDA and our CCA program have worked to streamline the process for interested individuals. Watch one webinar and mail in a one-page form to become a TSP today.

The webinar and application form are available at this link: https://www.sciencesocieties.org/certified-crop-adviser/already-certified/tsp/info

TSP Certification Process

Questions?

If you have any questions about your status or our program, please contact the Science Societies.