GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida is offering pest management professionals the opportunity to obtain a certification by exam from the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and become an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE).

The Prep Course will be offered both live and simultaneously as a webinar.  In recent Prep Courses there have been PMPs from all over America in attendance.  In an effort to reach more PMPs and to strive to keep the travel cost down, the Florida group has made arrangements to broadcast the Prep Class through a webinar.

PMPs that are attending the Prep Class through the webinar will need to make individual arrangements for taking the exam through an ESA-approved proctor.  PMPs are still welcome to attend the live Prep Course and take the exam with the proctor that will be at the live event.  Sitting for the exam will require prior approval from ESA. Approval consists of applying to ESA, paying a fee, and demonstrating at least seven years of experience in the industry.

The Florida ACE Prep Course takes place June 10-11, 2011, in Gainesville, Fla. The prep course will offer training and Florida CEU credits from ACE certified entomologists and ESA members from the University of Florida. The exam application and $150 fee must be received by ESA a minimum of 30 days prior to the exam date.  The Florida ACE Prep Course requires an application and $25 fee payable to the University of Florida by May 27. This course is only offered a few times a year. Webinar log-in information will be distributed upon receipt of the registration for the event.

For more information, ACE application, and Prep Course registration form, visit http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/baldwin/webbugs/Florida_ACE.htm or contact Wayne Walker, ACE (waynew@housing.ufl.edu, (352) 284-3963 or Dr. Rebecca Baldwin (baldwinr@ufl.edu, (352) 273-3974.