Consultant Recertification Process

1. Check your expiry date.
2. Study for the exam.
3. Call Ridgetown Campus 1-855-648-1444 to schedule an exam.
4. Write the exam six months in advance of your expiry date.
5. When you pass, submit your application to OMAFRA's Guelph (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 3rd Floor SW, 1 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2) office at least three months in advance of your expiry date.

Attached are a number of questions and answers surrounding the renewal process. These are designed to help clarify the process you need to follow to renew your certificate. If you have any further questions please contact your local Environmental Specialist or Ridgetown Campus at 1-855-648-1444 .

What is involved in renewing an Agricultural Operation Strategy or Plan Development Certificate?

The Nutrient Management Regulation states three criteria must be met to renew your certificate O. Reg 267/03, Part X s.100(2) & (5):

• Certificate must be in good standing and not have been suspended or cancelled.
• Write and pass an exam no earlier than one year before applying for a renewal certificate.

Under s. 109(1), the Director may refuse to issue a certificate or licence if:

• the applicant is in contravention of the Act or this Regulation, or is in breach of a condition of another certificate or licence issued under this Part;
• the applicant is not competent to carry on the activity that would be authorized by the certificate or licence; or
• the past conduct of the applicant affords reasonable grounds for belief that the activity that would be authorized by the certificate or licence will not be carried on with honesty and integrity. O. Reg. 338/09, s. 76.

What will the exam be like?

The exam will test practical application and theoretical information. All questions will be multiple choice or True and False. Exam writers will be given three hours in which to complete the exam.

What if I have language, learning or health issues that make writing exams difficult for me?

For individuals who have language, learning, comprehension or health issues that affect their ability to write an exam, there is a process to arrange accommodations. Please identify these needs at the time of booking your exam.

What if I fail the exam?

If you are still interested in pursuing certification, you would need to pay the fee and write the exam again.

What happens if my certificate expires before I get around to renewing it?

If your certificate has expired you will not be permitted to prepare any Nutrient Management Strategy/Plan (NMS/P) for the purpose of submitting them to the Director for approval until you pay the exam fee, write and pass the exam.

How can I ensure that my certificate does not expire before I renew?

The suggested timeline for renewal is:

• Check your expiry date on your certificate.
• Note on your calendar one year in advance of this date to start working on renewal of your certificate.
• Obtain the study package for the exam – by contacting your local field staff, or by calling the Nutrient Management Information Line at 1-866-242-4460.
• Study using the OMAFRA study guide.
• Register for an exam at least six months in advance of your expiry date.
• Write the exam. If you should fail the exam, study and retake the exam allowing yourself enough time to submit your renewal application three months in advance of your certificate expiry date.
• When you receive your passing grade on the exam, fill out an application for renewal – available on the OMAFRA website and forward it to the Training and Education unit, at (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 3rd Floor SW, 1 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2).
• Send in your application within three months of your expiry date to guarantee no interruption in your certified status.

Do I have to pay a fee to apply for my renewal?

No, there is no application fee.

What is the exam fee?

The exam fee is $150.

Will OMAFRA be contacting me to let me know when my certificate is going to expire?

No. It is your responsibility as a certificate holder to be aware of when your certificate expires and follow the renewal process.

If my certificate expires but I intend to renew it, can I still submit Nutrient Management Strategy/Plans for approval?

Only holders of valid certificates can produce Nutrient Management Strategy/Plans for approval. If your certificate expires you may no longer submit NMS/Ps for approval.

If I decide not to renew my certificate can I can still produce Nutrient Management Strategy/Plans for farmers?

Any NMS/P submitted by a non-certified preparer is out of compliance and will not be approved. If you choose not to renew your certificate, it is your professional responsibility to let your clients know that you are no longer certified to produce Nutrient Management Strategy/Plans for farms under the Nutrient Management Act.

I would like to recertify now even though my certificate does not expire for two years. Is that allowed?

You can recertify when you wish. The regulatory requirement is every five years. If you choose to recertify before your expiry date then your next recertification date will be calculated five years from the date of issue. So if you recertify two years early, your certificate is extended for five years not seven years.

Can I take my recertification exam now but not apply until closer to my recertification date?

According to the Nutrient Management Regulation, the exam results are valid for one year. As long as you apply for recertification within one year of writing the exam your results are valid.

Can conditions be applied to my renewal certificate?

According to Section 108 of O. Reg. 267/03, the Director may issue a certificate or licence subject to any conditions that he/she considers appropriate. This may include conditions that are consented to by the applicant, imposed by a Director or ordered by the Tribunal.