ACE changes - Action needed

An open letter to all ACEs,

This note was emailed to all ACEs on December 12, 2013. If you did not get it, please contact ESA and update your email address.

As you have likely heard, there is a lot changing about the ACE-Pest Control program. As a current ACE, you may have been wondering how this affects you. This letter (and this blog post) should answer some of those questions.

Volunteer opportunity: As we prepare to launch the new ACE exam on January 1st, we need 50-100 current ACEs to voluntarily (and at no fee) take the new ACE exam in the next two weeks. This will allow us to test for proper exam question flow, perform final “level of difficulty” assessments, and look for any other last minute and minor problems.  If you are willing to take the new exam, please contact ESA’s Certification Director (Chris Stelzig) at cstelzig@entsoc.org. Update 1/9/2014: This volunteer opportunity ended on December 31, 2013. If you would like to volunteer for other ACE-ESA ventures, please contact cstelzig@entsoc.org.

There are basically two changes that affect you – a new content outline and a new renewal structure.

New Content Outline:
The new content outline for ACE will debut on January 1, 2014. A copy of the new outline is onlinehere. As an ACE it is your obligation to stay current on industry developments. As such, you will need to read and review the new content outline. You will not be required to retest on the new standards, but you will be asked to affirm that you have read and understand them. This will be true of anyone who passes their ACE exam any time prior to January 1, 2014. Once you have read the new content outline, please either:

• Email this note back to ace@entocert.org with your name filled in below.
  I (__________________) do hereby affirm that I have read and understand the new ACE Content Outline that will debut on 1/1/2014.) , or
• Print this email and send it back to us at ESA; 3 Park Place, #307; Annapolis, MD 21401

New Renewal Structure:
If you have not renewed already for 2014 a renewal form was mailed earlier this week to you (It is the same form you can find online here). You will see that you have two options when you renew 1- year or 3-years:

1. You can renew for just 2014 by submitting:
     a. A photocopy of your applicator’s license,
     b. Signing the ACE Code of Ethics, and
     c. Submitting the form with payment.
2. You can renew for 2014-2016 by submitting:
     a. Documentation of at least 18 CEUs earned during 2011-2013),
     b. A photocopy of your applicator’s license,
     c. Signing the ACE Code of Ethics, and
     d. Submitting the form with payment.

Further, you will need to choose to renew as a member or a non-ESA member. Please know that ESA membership is different from ACE certification.

If you have any questions about this process, please email us back at ace@entocert.org. We’ll start mailing ACE wallet cards in early January for those who are renewed.