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EcoWise is an IPM Certification Program that certifies individuals as proficient in low impact integrated pest management (IPM) techniques that emphasize pest prevention and minimize pesticide applications. Certification leads to recognition as an EcoWise Certified IPM Practitioner. Pest Management Companies and/or Branches can also be EcoWise Certified. Certification means that companies must follow the EcoWise Standards. Certified companies and/or branches are allowed to use the EcoWise logos and advertise that they are certified. The company name is added to a referral list on the EcoWise website.

The EcoWise Certified Online Orientation is divided into three parts. Anyone who pays the fees can take Parts A and B. Currently, only California Pest Control Professionals can receive CEU credits or EcoWise IPM Certification, but the program will be expanded later to the rest of the U.S. Part A provides some basic IPM training for California Applicators, Operators, and Field Representatives. IPM is concretely illustrated through examples from the EcoWise Certified Program. After completing the course, Applicators, Operators, and Field Representatives take an online exam, and if they pass, they are awarded 2 IPM CEUs toward renewal of their license.

Operators and Field Representatives who pass Part A can take Part B, which leads to certification of Branch 2 Operators and Field Representatives as EcoWise Certified IPM Practitioners. Part C allows companies and/or branches to obtain all the information they need for EcoWise certification as an IPM Service Provider.

Part A: Overview of Structural IPM and Introduction to the EcoWise Standards for IPM Certification

• Part A can be taken by anyone interested in a basic understanding of structural IPM, but it is specifically geared to California Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) licensed Applicators, Field Representatives and Operators.

• SPCB-licensed Applicators, Field Representatives, and Operators are able to obtain 2 hours of SPCB-approved IPM continuing education units (CEUs) by reading and studying the Part A material and then taking an online test.

Fee for Part A: $50 (Includes access to course material and the online test)
When successfully completed, EcoWise will provide an official certificate of completion for 2 CEUs.

Instructions:

1. If you want to take Part A, fill out the application you obtain at the link below

Pdf Link: Application for Part A Online Course

2. Mail your completed application and $50 fee to

BIRC
P.O. Box 7414
Berkeley, CA 94707

If you want to apply now to take both Parts A and B and become an EcoWise Certified IPM Practitioner, include a fee of $100 with the application, and use the instructions in Part B below.

3. Receive a password and ID Number from BIRC by email

4. Log On, read and study the course material. You can log on to part A here:

Logon to Part A of the EcoWise Course

5. When you have completed 2 hours of online study, email BIRC that you are ready to take the exam. We will email you a link to the online exam.

6. Take the online test and receive a passing score of 70% or better.

7. Receive a SPCB Board Approved Certificate of Completion for 2 CEUs of IPM if you are a California Licensed Applicator, Branch 2 or Branch 3 Operator or Field Representative.

An Outline of Part A is below:

Part A. Structural IPM and EcoWise Certified IPM Standards

1. What is IPM and Why Practice it?

2. The IPM Decision Making Process

3. IPM Treatment Components

4. EcoWise Certified Pesticide Application Standards
5. IPM Tools

6. Comparison of IPM Methods with Conventional Pest Control

7. Pesticides and Water Quality

8. Review and Sample Exam QuestionsA more detailed Description for Part A can be obtained at the link below:

Link to: Part A Course Summary

Any Questions? Use the email link below to ask questions:

birc@igc.org

Part B: EcoWise Certified IPM Practitioner Course

• Part B leads to EcoWise Practitioner Certification.

• Prerequisites

1. Must be licensed as a California Branch 2 Field Representative or Operator for at least 1 year.

2. Must have a passing grade of 70% or better on the Part A exam

• California licensed Applicators cannot become EcoWise Certified.

• Applicants must pass the online EcoWise Practitioner Exam or meet other knowledge requirements outlined in Part B.

• Applicants must sign the EcoWise Certified IPM Guiding Principles (see below)

• No CEUs are currently available for Part B.

Fee for Part B: $50 (Includes access to course materials and the Practitioner Exam)

When successfully completed, EcoWise will provide an official EcoWise IPM Certified Practitioner certificate. Your name will also be added to the EcoWise Website as a Certified IPM Practitioner. When your company is also certified, this can act as a referral list.

Instructions:

1. Fill out the IPM Practitioner application that you obtain here:

Pdf Link: Application for Certified IPM Practitioner

2. Sign and date a copy of the EcoWise Certified IPM Guiding Principles that you obtain here:

Pdf Link: EcoWise Guiding Principles

3. Mail your application, the signed copy of your IPM Guiding Principles, and $100 fee for both Part A and Part B, or $50 fee for Part B if you have already paid for and completed Part A to

BIRC
P.O. Box 7414
Berkeley, CA 94707

Fees for Part B include the course, the exam, a Study Guide, an EcoWise Certified Certificate, and listing on the EcoWise Certified website.
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4. Read and study the course material, which you can access through this link: EcoWise Course Part B. You can study at your own pace, there are no online time requirements.

5. When you are ready to take the exam, contact BIRC, and we will email you a link to the online exam.

6. Take the online Practitioner Certification Exam and receive a score of 70% or better.

7. Receive an EcoWise Certified IPM Practitioner Certificate and listing on the EcoWise Certified website.
The EcoWise IPM Practitioner Certification must be renewed every 3 years. Currently certified Practitioners can renew by filling out a new application and paying a $100 fee.

An Outline of Part B follows below:

Part B. EcoWise Certified IPM Practitioner Course

1. Advantages of EcoWise Certification

2. What You Need to Get Certified

3. Knowledge Expectations of an EcoWise Certified Practitioner

4. Following the Standards

5. IPM Inspection and Monitoring

6. Writing an IPM Plan

7. Review and Sample Exam Questions

8. IPM Resources

You can access the course through this link:

Part B. EcoWise Certified Course

Any Questions? Use the email link below to ask questions:

birc@igc.org

Part C: EcoWise IPM Service Provider Course

Everything needed, including an application, step by step instructions leading to certification of a company or branch, and all needed documents and references can be obtained from the Online EcoWise IPM Service Provider Course. You can access the course through this link:

Part C. EcoWise Certified Course

The bullets below summarize important points:

• EcoWise certifies both individual practitioners and companies.

• Companies must follow the EcoWise Guiding Principles and Standards for the EcoWise service they offer.

• Companies must submit an IPM protocol for one pest and list the products and materials in their IPM Toolbox which will be used in the EcoWise service.

• The IPM protocol and Toolbox must be approved by the Program Manager before Certification.

• Companies must participate in a field audit to verify that their pest management practices are consistent with the EcoWise Standards.

Fee for Part C. There is free access to instructions and forms. Fees will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to cover the processing of an application, an office visit, and the field audit necessary to complete certification as an EcoWise Certified IPM Service Provider.

An outline of Part C follows below:

Part C. EcoWise IPM Service Provider Course

1. Advantages of a Certified IPM Service

2. EcoWise IPM Definition and Guiding Principles

3. How to Get Certified

4. IPM Protocols

5. Field Audit Forms IPM Toolbox

6. Service Forms

7. EcoWise Standards

8. IPM Resources

You can access the course through this link:

Part C. EcoWise Certified Course

Any Questions? Use the email link below to ask questions:

birc@igc.org