New ACE application rules

As was previously announced on this blog, there are several new rules for ACE applications that took effect on October 21, 2014. Specifically:

(a) All applications for ACE now require two reference letters, whereas previously all that was required was to list a single reference. The reference letters should be professional in nature and should be written by a professional colleague, a major client, an employer, a former employer, etc. The letters should cover any or all of the following subjects with regards to the applicant:

• Professionalism
• Entomological knowledge
• Work history
• Ethical behavior
• Adherence to IPM principles

(b) All applications for ACE now require only a minimum of five year's of professional work experience, whereas previously the rule had been for seven year's experience.

Also, the ACE-International (ACE-I) program was successfully launched during PestWorld 2014 in Orlando, FL. The major difference between ACE and ACE-I are in regards to pesticide safety. Both programs stress the importance of safe handling and overall knowledge of pesticides. Pesticide applicator licenses are common in the United States, but they are not required in every non-U.S. country. Thus, the ACE-I program does not require licensure and the U.S. version does. In order to ensure that all who eventually become International ACEs are properly knowledgeable about pesticide safety, all ACE-I applicants will be required to pass a second exam based on pesticide safety.