Nominate/Evaluate an ACO Candidate

ECS users will approve or reject nominations. ECS approved nominations are forwarded to Headquarters. Headquarters will then approve or reject the nominations. Headquarters approved nominees become candidates for taking the accreditation test.

To be eligible as an ACO, an individual must:

•

Have a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences, and a minimum of one year’s experience in identifying plant endemic to crops of commercial importance within the cooperating State, or a combination of higher education in the biological sciences and experience in identifying such plant harmful organisms as follows (the years of education and experience do not have to be acquired consecutively):

0 years education and 5 years experience;

1 year education and 4 years experience;

2 years education and 3 years experience;

3 years education and 2 years experience; or

4 years education and 1 year experience.

•	Successfully complete annual training provided by the State plant regulatory agency.