The first preparatory course for the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) exam to be offered in the State of Florida is Feb. 24 at the Duval County Extension Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
The ACE exam will be offered at the end of the day to those who have been pre-qualified by the Entomological Society of America (ESA) to sit for the exam. This course is part of a collaborative effort of the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA), UF Extension Services, Florida School Integrated Pest Management (IPM), ESA members and pest management industry representatives Univar and Bayer Environmental Science.
The ACE program provides entomological certification to practicing pest professionals who may not have advanced formal education in entomology. The ACE certification provides independent certification of pest industry knowledge, experience, and standards. Many government contracts now specify advanced certification as a requirement to bid on contracts. The ACE certification for pest professionals meets certification requirements for government contracts.
The major topics covered by the ACE preparatory course and exam include:
- Basic entomology
- Identification, life cycles and practical control measures for important structural pests
- Health impacts of pests
- Ecological principles and environmental impacts pertaining to pest control
- Integrated pest management (IPM) principles
- Pesticide safety and health issues
- Pesticide technology and resources
- Organizations and associations of significance to the pest control industry
- Laws and regulations affecting the industry
State of Florida CEU’s will be offered to all who attend. This preparatory course was organized by Linda Prentice, ACE, Bug-Out Service, Jacksonville, Florida, and Wayne Walker, ACE, University of Florida Department of Housing and Residence Education, Gainesville, Florida.
For more information or to register, please contact Walker at waynew@housing.ufl.edu or 352/284-3963, or Prentice at LPrentice@bugoutservice.com or 904/568-7941.