CPAg and ICCA combined programs - Specialty certification plan (CPAg) - January 1, 2012 implementation

Sep 26, 2026

Proposal outlines combining CPAg with the ICCA program by building a specialty certification within ICCA that recognizes a CCA (with at least a BS in Agronomy or closely related fields). It describes governance steps requiring approval by CPAg and the ICCA Board, a unified agronomy certification process, and grandfathering of existing CPAg holders. It specifies eligibility, exams, fees, credential review by local CCA boards, CEU changes, budgets, and marketing plans, with implementation targeted for January 1, 2012.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

One Agronomy Certification Process

ICCA specialty area: Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg)

Credential review and board training

CEU requirements changes

Budgets/Financials

Marketing/Promotions

CPAg and ICCA combined programs Currently ASA has two certification programs – CCA and CPAg. It was supported by both Boards and the ASA executive committee to develop a proposal that would add CPAg to the ICCA infrastructure. The ICCA Board task force on restructuring met and discussed the CCA/CPAg option. The Task Force agreed that there could be mutual and long term benefits to bring the two certifications into one infrastructure. The Task Force also agreed that the ICCA Program should develop a specialty certification that recognizes a CCA with at least a BS degree in Agronomy or closely related field. Their recommendation is to develop the Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) specialty certification within the ICCA Program that the current CPAg certification could become. In order for the current CPAg certification to become the new CPAg specialty within ICCA, the CPAg Board would need to approve the proposal followed by the ICCABoard before anything would change. The CPAg Board has approved the proposal and now the ICCA Board needs to do the same before it can move forward for implementation. The recommendation to the CPAg and ICCA Boards follows: One Agronomy Certification Process ICCA Program with a specialty area called: Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) 1. Implemented as of January 1, 2012 2. All current CPAgs are grandfathered into the new structure, meaning, anyone that is already a CPAg does not have to do anything different to re-qualify but CEU requirements and fees would change. Currently there are 650 individuals certified as a CPAg and about half of them also have the CCA certification. 3. New applicants to CPAg would need to first meet the entire CCA requirements before or at the same time as applying for CPAg. a. Exams – current CPAg only requires the ICCA exam, the local exam would be added b. Other CPAg requirements would be the same as those of the current CPAg – 5 years of experience with at least a BS degree in agronomy or closely related field; appropriate course work as described; and 5 references. More details please see the web site: [https://www.agronomy.org/certifications](https://www.agronomy.org/certifications) c. Fees -a $30 specialty area fee would be added to the base CCA fee (the current, average CCA fee is $70 annually depending on state or province residence) The new $30 specialty fee would be split with the local board,$20 to ICCA and $10 to the local board. Example: CCA pays $70, CCA-CPAg pays $100 . 4. Credential Review would be done by the local CCA boards. They would become agronomy certifying boards reviewing both CCA and CPAg applicants. a. Board members would be trained in how to review the new CCA-CPAg applications and local CPAgs would be encouraged to serve on the local Board with the expectation that at least one or two CPAg(s) would serve on the local CCA board. b. CCA-CPAg would be national in scope like CPAg is today. c. CCA would remain state/province/regionally focused but with international acceptance. 5. CEU requirements – a. For CCAs, no change: i. 40 total CEUs at least 20 are board approved, ii. 5 minimum in each of the 4 technical categories of nutrient management; soil and water management; integrated pest management; and crop management, iii. Professional Development is the fifth category but it does not have a max or min so it is not required b. For CCA-CPAg: i. 50 total CEUs at least 20 are board approved, ii. 5 minimum in each of the 4 technical categories of nutrient management; soil and water management; integrated pest management; and crop management, iii. Professional Development minimum of 10 CEUs, iv. Professional Service minimum of 5 CEUs – activities that advance the profession and development of agronomy and crop advising with students, peers and the general public. v. More details and refinement would be done by the ICCA continuing education committee (CPAg members already exists on th

FAQs

What is the proposed change to CPAg within the ICCA program?

The ICCA program would add a specialty certification, Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg), using an infrastructure that can consolidate the current CPAg certification into the ICCA program.

When would the new structure be implemented, and what happens to existing CPAg holders?

Implementation is set for January 1, 2012. All current CPAgs are grandfathered into the new structure, so existing CPAg holders do not need to re-qualify, though CEU requirements and fees change.

What are the main eligibility and exam changes for new CPAg applicants?

New CPAg applicants must meet the full CCA requirements before or at the same time as applying for CPAg. CPAg exam requirements expand by adding a local exam to the current ICCA exam.

How do CEU requirements and fees differ between CCA and CCA-CPAg?

CCA remains at 40 total CEUs with at least 20 board-approved, with minimums across the four technical categories. CCA-CPAg increases to 50 total CEUs with board-approved minimums plus Professional Development (10 CEUs) and Professional Service (5 CEUs). Fees add a $30 specialty area fee split between ICCA and the local board.

Sep 26, 2026

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