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Becoming a Board Certified Entomologist (BCE)
Step 2: Application
Becoming a BCE is a rigorous undertaking and all those who
are interested in certification are encouraged to take it seriously. The
application procedure is as follows:
- Applicant submits an application with applicable payment, a minimum of two letters
of reference, a CV, and
transcripts, if required. Non-degreed applicants will also be asked to
submit a current PMC report. Further, the applicant signs a statement
agreeing to abide by the BCE Code of Ethics.
The application fee is generally collected at this time as well. Each
applicant also selects their Specialty (click here for a list of Specialties).
- It is strongly recommended that the applicant submit
reference letters with their application. Failure to do so will
dramatically slow down the application process. If letters of reference
are not included, the applicant will need to submit a minimum of two names (including method of contact) for
ESA to acquire the letters of reference. The ESA
Certification Coordinator will then contact the associates and ask them to vouch for the applicant. If the
letters were submitted with the application, the references may be contacted for verification.
- The full application and supporting materials are
forwarded to the Chair of the BCE Examining Committee for review.
- If the review is successful, the applicant is contacted
with a letter of welcome to the program. If the review is not successful,
the applicant has the opportunity to withdraw from the program and receive
half of his/her fees in return.
- The applicant selects a
proctor for his/her examination and, together with their proctor,
selects a testing date. This information must be communicated back to the
Certification Coordinator, who establishes access for the applicant to
take the test(s).
- Once a test date is selected, the Certification
Coordinator sends examination instructions to the proctor.
- The applicant takes the test(s) on the proctor's computer
and, upon submission, is shown his/her score, though final verification of
the scores is not complete until reviewed by the Chair of the Examination
Committee.
- The Chair of the Examination Committee contacts the
applicant and welcomes them to the BCE program (if they passed) or offers
suggestions on how to improve their score for the next test date. If
re-testing is required, the test must be taken no sooner than 90 days, but
no more than 365 days later, or else re-application to the program may be
required.
- Upon becoming a BCE, the applicant is now entitled to use
the moniker “BCE” or “Board Certified Entomologist” in all materials for
him/herself and company materials that reference the applicant.
- A BCE welcome kit will be mailed to the new BCE by the
Certification Coordinator.
- If the applicant became a BCE in the first 3 quarters of the year
(January 1 -- September 31) they will need to renew their certification annually,
beginning with the next year. If the applicant successfully passed his or her
exams in the fourth quarter of the year (October 1 -- December 31) dues for the
following year will not be required and annual renewals will start one year
later.
If you are ready to take a step to further your career,
please complete your application to the BCE program. You can apply online or
through the mail. A BCE application includes the following items:
The
application itself. You can either use the online form
(coming soon), print out the PDF version or
download a copy of the MS Word version. For the MS Word version,
please right-click here, and 'save target as',
choosing a file location on your local drive. The Intern application is only in PDF format.
A
minimum of two reference letters, or points of contacts for references,
A CV
or resume,
A copy
of your college transcripts (those who have more than 7 years of verifiable
experience in the Specialty selected are exempted from this requirement), the
application fee, and
A
willingness to adhere to the BCE Code of Ethics.
Please submit all materials to the Certification
Coordinator, at the address below:
BCE Program
Entomological Society of America
Attention: Membership Services
10001 Derekwood Lane, Suite 100
Lanham, MD 20706
(New phone) 410-263-3622
bce@entsoc.org
Other steps in the process to become a BCE:
Step 1: Determine eligibility
Step 3: Study for your
examinations
Step 4: Select a proctor
Step 5: Take your exam(s)
Step 6: Maintain your
certification
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