University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus

                    IPM Council of Canada
Ontario IPM Accreditation Program for Golf Courses

For questions or comments about this website or the information contained herein, please contact:

IPM Accreditation Program 
c/o University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
120 Main Street East
Ridgetown, Ontario   CANADA    N0P 2C0
Telephone:  1-866-385-4762 or 519-674-1538
Fax:  519-674-1585
E-mail:  ipmap@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca

 

What is the IPM Accreditation Program for golf courses?
The IPM Accreditation Program (IPMAP) recognizes golf courses that demonstrate commitment to the principles of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and PHC (Plant Health Care). The IPM Council of Canada will govern the process through certification, audit, and professional development. The Council's directive is to have an audit program that is rigorous, independently implemented, credible and open to scrutiny by the public, governments and relevant stakeholders. 

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How does my golf course become IPM accredited?
Accreditation is granted to golf courses by the IPM Council of Canada and consists of the following components:

    IPM Accreditation Examination

    Desk Review Audit

    On-site Audit

    Continuing Education Credits

Click here for complete details about the IPM Accreditation Process for golf courses.

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To begin the IPM Accreditation process, you must:
  1. Complete the Application for IPM Accreditation Examination and return with your payment of $250 to IPM Accreditation Program (IPMAP), University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. 
  2. Review the study materials that are recommended reading for the examination.
  3. Schedule your IPM Accreditation Examination by selecting a date and location from the list provided to you by IPMAP. The accreditation examination is multiple-choice and true/false, and is 80 questions long. It is closed book, and you have 90 minutes to complete it.
  4. Successfully complete the examination with a mark of 75% or greater. You will then receive an IPM Accreditation Certificate. If you fail on your first examination attempt, you have six (6) months to rewrite the examination. The examination fee is $50.00.

Click here for an Application for IPM Accreditation Examination. PDF

Click here for an IPM Schedule of Exam Dates. PDF

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What are the recommended study materials for the IPM Accreditation Examination?
1) You are responsible for obtaining your own study material to prepare for the examination. The IPM Council of Canada currently recommends the following study materials for golf and turf managers:
  • OMAFRA Publication 384: "Turfgrass Management Recommendations"
  • OMAFRA Publication 162:  "Diseases and Insects of Turf in Ontario"
  • OMAFRA Publication 816:  "Turf IPM Manual"

OMAFRA Publications are available from:
Publications Ontario, 1-888-466-2372, or on-line a http://www.publications.serviceontario.ca/ecom. If ordering online, go into the search window and type in the following publication numbers:

  • 0384E - for Publication 384
  • 0162E - for Publication 162
  • 0816E - for Publication 816
2) All applicants must be familiar with Ontario Regulation 63/09 made under the Pesticides Act. It can be downloaded at http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/pesticides

3) All applicants must be familiar with IPM Golf Accreditation Program Policies and Procedures. Click Here for IPM Accreditation Program Policies and Procedures. Click Here for an IPM Accreditation Examination Study Guide.

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To begin the Desk Review Audit and On-Site Audit process:

New!

Important Notice:

Ontario's cosmetic pesticides ban took effect April 22, 2009. The ban is part of the Ontario government's toxics reduction strategy to reduce pollution and protect families from toxic chemicals.

IPM Accreditation - Golf Courses

In order to continue using pesticides in their maintenance operations, all existing golf courses must be fully accredited in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by April 22, 2012. IPM accreditation is a three year process, so golf courses are encouraged to start the process as soon as possible. IPM accreditation requires training of grounds-keeping staff, maintaining detailed records of pesticide use, employing alternative methods of controlling pests prior to pesticide use, and participating in an annual audit process. There is also an annual administrative fee associated with maintaining accreditation.

Desk Review Audits and On-Site Audits will be conducted by independent environmental auditors as part of your registration in the IPM Accreditation Program. Effective June 1, 2009, the IPM Council of Canada will be responsible for scheduling of all On-Site audit.

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What is the Annual Registration Fee?

The owner or operator of a golf facility is responsible for maintaining their annual registration in the IPM Accreditation Program. Annual registration fees cover the cost of administration of the IPM Accreditation program, annual desk review audits and an on-site audit every three years. All fees associated with the golf facilities are subject to GST and payable by cheque to:

IPM Council of Canada
25 Brown Street, Box #7
Milton, ON L9T 2Y3
Ph 416-919-3832

Click here for the Golf Course Registration Form that will need to be submitted with the registration fee.

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What is the annual IPM Agent fee?

The annual IPM Agent and IPM Certified applicator fee is $75 plus GST. The IPM Agent and IPM Certified Applicator is responsible for maintaining their registration in the program by submitting annual dues, current contact information, proof of valid landscape exterminator licence and information relating to Continuing Education Credits directly to the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. The annual registration must be submitted by June 1st each year to maintain certified status as an IPM Agent or IPM Certified Applicator.

Click here for the Annual Registration Form for Certified IPM Agent and IPM Certified Applicator.

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Information for Continuing Education Credits:
Certified IPM Agents must maintain and upgrade their knowledge of IPM by obtaining a minimum of 8 CEC's in each calendar year following the successful completion of the IPM examination. Agents may also write the IPM Examination in lieu of obtaining the necessary CEC's.

Click here to print a CEC Reporting Form.

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How to qualify an event for Continuing Education Credits?

Certified IPM Agents and IPM certified applicators require a minimum of 8 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) per year to maintain their certification within the IPM Accreditation Program. The IPM Council wishes to ensure there are adequate opportunities to attain the required CECs and recognizes that there are many educational opportunities available from various sources. To ensure the integrity of the program, the IPM Advisory Committee has created an application form that will assist event organizers in their planning should they wish to have their events qualify for CECs. Note: This application is for event organizers only.

Click here for information on the qualifying criteria and process used to determine if an event will qualify for CECs. PDF

Application for Continuing Education Credits PDF format

The IPM Council requires proof of attendance in order to award CECs. Event organizers must submit a completed attendance list to IPMAP c/o University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus after the event signed by an organizer representative within 30 days of the event.

Click here for an Official Attendance Record. PDF

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Where do I send the 2009 Desk Review Audit?

Desk Review Audits for the 2009 Reporting Period should be sent to:

IPM Accreditation Program
c/o University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
120 Main Street East
Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0
Ph: 1-866-385-4762

You must complete and submit the following forms to complete the Desk Review Audit process. To view and print, click on the following forms:

For information on the IPM Accreditation Program for the Lawn Care sector, contact the IPM Council of Canada at info@ipmcouncilcanada.org

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IPM Accredited Golf Courses

Click here for a list of IPM Accredited Golf Courses.

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