Eligibility Requirements

The ACE program is designed to benefit the practicing pest control professional. You do not need an advanced degree to participate, just a solid grasp of the practical aspects of applied entomology. There are two versions of the ACE program -- one for those who are residents of the U.S.A. and one for those who are not.

U.S.A. ACE applicants without an academic entomology degree:

ACE applicants without a bachelor's degree (or higher) in entomology must have the following:

  • A current US state, US military, territory, or tribal-issued license or certificate that allows the holder to apply pesticides in an urban, industrial, or structural setting without supervision. This licensure must require continuing education to remain current (if the applicant’s state does not require ongoing education to hold a license then the applicant is automatically exempted from this portion of the requirements). Applicant must send a copy of this document to  ESA's Certification Coordinator with completed application.
  • A minimum of 5 years of verifiable pest management experience in the United States as proven by a resume, CV, or attestation of employment from your employer.
  • The ability to take and pass an online test of your knowledge of structural pest control,
  • Two letters of professional reference. These should be from current or former employers, major clients, professional colleagues, or others who can speak to your professionalism, entomological knowledge, and your ethical standards.
  • The application fee, which includes your first year of certification and the online examination, and
  • A willingness to adhere to the ACE Code of Ethics.

U.S.A. ACE applicants who hold an academic entomology degree:

For those applicants who also hold an advanced degree in entomology or a related life science, the requirements are slightly different. A copy of the applicant's academic transcripts must accompany the application in order to claim the lower experiential requirements and all the other requirements remain the same. 

  • A bachelor's degree in entomology (or a related life science) reduces the requirement to 3 years of verifiable pest management experience in the United States attained post-degree.
  • A master's degree in entomology (or a related life science) reduces the requirement to 2 years of verifiable pest management experience in the United States attained post-degree.
  • A PhD in entomology (or a related life science) reduces the requirement to 1 year of verifiable pest management experience in the United States attained post-degree.

Non-U.S.A. applicants to ACE:

The requirements for ACE application are mostly the same. However, since a pesticide applicators license is not required globally, ESA does not require it of any applicants for ACE-International. Instead, applicants must take and pass a second examination on their knowledge of pesticide safety. All other requirements are the same as identified above. Click here to learn more about ACE-International and apply.