4R Nutrient Management Specialty (4R NMS)

You must hold a current CCA certification to be eligible to apply for the 4R NMS certification.

The 4R concept of nutrient management (NM) has been developed and is being implemented world-wide by industry, researchers, government agencies, and farmers and their advisers. It is centered on the goal of building a nutrient management plan that puts the right nutrient sources, at the right rate, in the right place, and at the right time---the 4Rs of nutrient management. 4R NM considers the integration of agronomic practices with economic analysis and environmental interaction, all considered at the local field level, as well as social impacts for the community, and for downstream stakeholders. 

The 4R NMS specialty certification is for CCAs who focus their work on nutrient management planning. It allows CCAs to prove their knowledge, advance their skills, and draw awareness to their abilities. 

Maintaining certification 

Once the 4R NMS exam is passed, an annual fee will be charged in addition to your CCA renewal to maintain both certifications, and the minimum CCA CEU requirements for the Nutrient Management and Soil & Water Management categories will increase from 5.0 to 7.5 credits. 

Study materials

• 4R NMS Region 1 Performance Objectives
  • AB, BC (NE Peace River), MB, SK
• 4R NMS Region 2 Ontario Performance Objectives
• 4R NMS Region 3 Performance Objectives
  • CO, ID, MT, ND, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY
• 4R NMS Region 4 Performance Objectives
  • CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV
• 4R NMS Region 6 Performance Objectives
  • AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN
• 4R Nutrient Management Specialist Study Guide (TFI, 2015)
• Region 1: Prairie 4R Management Specialty Guide, version 2 (2019)
• Region 2: Ontario 4R Nutrient Management Stewardship Guide (2021)
• Region 4: 4R Nutrient Management: Training on 4R Performance Objectives (Webinar, 2016)
• 4R Educational Modules: Site Specific Nutrient Management - Nutrient Stewardship

Resources on this list that are not produced by ASA are provided for informational purposes.

Important notes

This exam and certification do not replace any state/provincial licensing exams or requirements. Practicing outside of the state’s requirements could result in a fine and decertification from the state and the CCA Program. Please check with your state/province for additional information about their nutrient management rules and regulations.

This exam is not being offered in Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Brunswick, New Mexico, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Texas at this time.