CCA Exam Study Tools

The following are some study resources to help you prepare for the CCA exams. See our specific specialty certification pages for suggested study resources for our specialty certification exams.

Performance objectives

Download the free performance objectives that list all of the potential subject matter areas that the International, local, and specialty Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) exams could cover. They are designed to help guide your study.

Note: All files are in PDF format

International CCA Performance Objectives

International CCA Exam Performance Objectives

Local CCA Performance Objectives

Arkansas/Louisiana/Mississippi
Atlantic Provinces - New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Central Plains States - Kansas, Oklahoma
Colorado
Iowa
Kentucky
Michigan
Mid-Atlantic - Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northeast Region - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Northwest Region - Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, British Columbia
Ontario
Pennsylvania
Prairie Provinces - Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Rocky Mountain - Montana, Wyoming
South Dakota
Southeast Region - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas - (Uses ICCA Performance Objectives)
Tri-State Region - Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
Western Region - Arizona, California
Wisconsin

Specialty Certifications Performance Objectives

4R NMS Region 1 Specialty Certification-MUST be a CCA in AB, BC (Peace River), MB or SK first before obtaining the specialty certification.
4R NMS Region 2 Ontario Specialty Certification-MUST be a CCA in Ontario first before obtaining the specialty certification.
4R NMS Region 3 Specialty Certification-Must be a CCA in CO, ID, MT, ND, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA or WY first before obtaining the specialty certification.
4R NMS Region 4 Specialty Certification-MUST be a CCA in CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI or WV first before obtaining the specialty certification.
4R NMS Region 6 Specialty Certification-MUST be a CCA in AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN first before obtaining the specialty certification.
Precision Agriculture Specialty Certification-MUST be a CCA first. Currently not offered in Canada.
Resistance Management Specialty Certification (US)-MUST be a CCA first. Currently not offered in Arizona or California.
Resistance Management Ontario Specialty Certification-Must be a CCA in Ontario first before obtaining the specialty certification.
Sustainability Specialty Certification-MUST be a CCA first. Currently not offered in Canada.
California Nitrogen Management Specialty Certification-MUST be a CCA in California first before obtaining specialty certification.

For more information on the 4R NMS, Resistance Management and Sustainability Specialty Certifications, please visit our Exams page.

For more information on the California Manure Management Specialty Certification, please vist the California CCA Program's Exams page.

Foundations of Applied Agronomy: A self-paced, online training program designed by ASA to prepare learners for the International CCA Exam. This series provides a comprehensive online learning experience that covers topics in nutrient management, soil and water management, pest management, and crop management. In-field practitioners will review the knowledge and skills that are most needed by a CCA.

Other International Exam Resources

Preparing for the International Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Exam (hardcopy booklet) - A study manual for the International CCA Exam, 2019 (TFI Institute)

Preparing for the International Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Exam (PDF) - A study manual for the International CCA Exam, 2019 (TFI Institute)

Modern Corn and Soybean Production (MCSP Publications): This publication addresses several learning objectives for the CCA exam, covering growth, management, and troubleshooting for corn and soybean. A special price is available for CCA exam registrants. Call 1-217-403-1101 for that price. Note that this publication is from 2000, and some information may be outdated