How to Get a Certification as a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Maintenance Track
The Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification, administered by the American Society of Agronomy, is a professional credential for individuals who provide agronomic advice to growers. The maintenance track refers to the process of renewing and maintaining an existing CCA certification through continuing education, rather than pursuing initial certification.
Key Requirements for Maintaining CCA Certification
CEU Distribution Requirements
To keep your CCA certification in good standing, you must complete 40 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two-year cycle, with balanced coverage across the four core competency areas:
| Competency Area | Minimum CEUs Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrient Management | 5 | Fertility recommendations, 4R principles, and environmental protection |
| Soil & Water Management | 5 | Soil health, conservation practices, and water quality |
| Integrated Pest Management | 5 | Pest identification, scouting, and control strategies |
| Crop Management | 5 | Crop production, variety selection, and yield optimization |
Important: At least 20 of the 40 CEUs must be Board-approved. Excess CEUs from one cycle do not roll over to the next.
How to Earn CEUs
CCAs can accumulate CEUs through a variety of professional development activities, including:
- Attending live or recorded webinars, conferences, workshops, and seminars.
- Completing online courses and self-study modules.
- Reading approved publications (such as articles in Crops & Soils magazine) and passing associated quizzes.
- Listening to educational podcasts.
- Participating in field days, training sessions, or other approved events related to agronomy.
Many events are pre-approved for CEUs by local or international CCA boards. For non-pre-approved activities, you can self-report them for review and potential credit.
Tracking and Reporting CEUs
Log in to your account on the official Certified Crop Adviser platform to:
- View your CEU statement, which tracks progress in each category.
- Automatically record CEUs for events where you sign in or scan a QR code.
- Self-report additional CEUs by providing details such as event title, date, location, speaker, sponsoring organization, and the relevant category.
Allow time for processing self-reported CEUs.
Renewal Process
Renew your certification at the end of each two-year cycle once you have met the CEU requirements. Ensure all four categories show sufficient progress on your CEU statement before renewing.
If you hold specialty certifications (such as Sustainability Specialty or 4R Nutrient Management Specialty), additional CEU requirements apply in those specific areas.
Pro Tip: Maintaining your CCA certification demonstrates ongoing commitment to professional development and ensures you stay current with advancements in crop management, nutrient management, pest management, and soil and water management.