Overview

The ESA Certification Programs

The Entomological Society of America now offers two certification programs, the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) and the Board Certified Entomologist (BCE). BCE is geared toward those who are formally educated in entomology and ACE more toward those with hands-on training and professional development in the field of structural pest management

Officially, entomological certification was born in 1970 as the American Registry of Certified Entomologists, which later became the American Registry of Professional Entomologists (ARPE). In 1992, ARPE was fully integrated into ESA with an elected Certification Board. In 2004, ESA and the Certification Board launched the ACE program as another option for the professional who sought additional credentials in entomology.

Much of the management of the program is handled by a hard-working corps of ESA volunteers. These are busy men and women who, often at personal sacrifice, give their time to preserve and enhance their profession's status.

On an organizational level, the certification program falls under the immediate supervision of ESA's Membership and Marketing Director, who spearheads all Headquarters activities. Day-to-day administrative functions are handled by the Membership Services staff, especially the Certification Coordinator.