Nutrient Management Planning Resources

Cooperative Extension

Nutrient Management Planning Resources

Becoming a Delaware Nutrient Consultant

Step 1: Attend four Delaware Nutrient Management Certification Sessions. Initial certification sessions are offered twice a year and the exam is offered three times a year.

Step 2: Pass the Delaware Nutrient Management Consultant Exam. The Nutrient Consultant Exam is also one of three exams you must pass to become a Certified Crop Adviser in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and you have two hours to complete the exam. Study materials are provided below to help you prepare for the exam. On the day of the exam, study materials are not allowed in the exam area and you are required to show a photo I.D. prior to taking the exam.

Note: Delaware does not test on biosolids so if you plan to write Nutrient Management Plans for biosolids in another state, you should take the Nutrient Management exam in that state.

Step 3: Pay a $100 fee to Delaware Department of Agriculture annually. This fee is only paid after passing the exam.

Step 4: Maintain your certification by acquiring five hours of continuing education every year. Delaware Nutrient Consultants are also required to write a Nutrient Management Plan once every three years.

Nutrient Management Program Exam Policy

The Nutrient Management Program will cover the cost of your first two in-person exam attempts.

If you require more than two attempts, you will be responsible for the full exam fee for each subsequent attempt.

● In-person exams: The fee for each attempt is $85.00.

● Online exams: The fee for each attempt is $135.00, which includes the $85.00 exam fee and a $50.00 online proctoring fee.

More detailed information on online exams, can be found here: https://www.sciencesocieties.org/certified-crop-adviser/exams?q=certified-crop-adviser/exams/

Exam Schedule

● In-person exams are offered three times a year, usually in March, September, and December.

● Available through CCA, online exams are offered four times a year. They can be scheduled for February, April, August, or November, but you must register at least one month in advance to choose your exam date.

No-Show Policy

To avoid a fee, you must cancel your exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so will result in you being responsible for the fee for your next exam, regardless of whether it is your first or second attempt.

Maryland Nutrient Consultant Reciprocity

There is a reciprocal agreement between the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Nutrient Consultants who are certified in Maryland and in good standing with the Maryland Nutrient Management Program may seek reciprocity by attending Delaware Nutrient Management Certification Session I and submitting an application to the Delaware Department of Agriculture with a copy of their Maryland Nutrient Management Consultant Certificate.