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Consultant Recertification Process
- Nutrient Management Act
|
| Author: | OMAFRA Staff |
|---|---|
| Creation Date: | 01 June 2009 |
| Last Reviewed: | 01 June 2009 |
The first Agricultural Operation Strategy/Plan Development (AOSPD) certificates were issued in September 2004. The first renewals will be due in September 2009.
As a certified consultant, it is your responsibility to know when your certificate expires and to plan for certificate renewal. The expiry date is printed on your certificate.
To maintain your certified status, we suggest you start planning for your renewal one year in advance of your expiry date. We recommend that you follow the process below to have your certificate renewed:
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 the NM Info Line at 1-866-242-4460.
The Nutrient Management Regulation states three criteria must be met to renew your certificate (s.100 (5):
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. A passing grade is 75 percent.
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.
Candidates for recertification will have up to three opportunities to pass the exam. Each attempt will require that you pay a fee. A study guide is available from the NM Info Line to help you prepare.
You will be required to demonstrate that you have taken current versions of the certification courses, Introduction to Nutrient Management, Regulations and Protocols and How to Prepare a NMS/P Using NMAN. You will have to complete three fictitious case studies and then you will have an opportunity to rewrite the exam.
If your certificate has expired you will have to begin the certification process again. This would include:
This is our suggested timeline for renewal:
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 6 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 3 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 1 Stone Rd in Guelph
Send in your application no less than three months in advance of your expiry date to guarantee no interruption in your certified status
No, there is no application fee.
You have to pay $150 each time you write the exam.
No. It is your responsibility as a certificate holder to be aware of when your certificate expires and follow the renewal process.
Only holders of valid certificates can produce Nutrient Management Strategy/Plan's for approval. If your certificate expires you may no longer submit NMS/P's for approval.
Any NMS/P submitted by a non-certified preparer is out of compliance and will not be approved. It is your professional responsibility to let your clients know that you are no longer certified to produce Nutrient Management Strategy/Plan's for approval under the Nutrient Management Act.
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.
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.
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