AMES, Iowa – The application deadline for Iowa Pork Industry Center's next Pork Quality Assurance Advisor certification session is approaching, and those interested in attending should submit their application soon. The session date is Tuesday, Dec. 20, and the application deadline for this virtual session is Tuesday, Dec. 13. Iowa State Extension swine veterinarian Chris Rademacher organizes these sessions, and said the session, including exam, will take approximately six hours to complete.

"Anyone whose certification has expired or who is a first time advisor must do an in-person training like this virtual offering," he said.

Rademacher, who also is interim IPIC director, reminds potential applicants that while this session is virtual - meaning no travel is required - the application process hasn't changed.

"Qualification requirements are available on the two-page application form, which is available as both a fillable pdf document and a word document from the PQA page on the IPIC website," he said. "Applicants may use either version. No individual spot is guaranteed until the application is approved and specific payment is accepted by IPIC."

The cost is $85 per person and includes all materials and online access. Registration starts at 10 a.m. Central time on Dec. 20 and the session begins at 10:30 a.m., and connection information will be shared with approved applicants closer to that date.

Future PQA Advisor certification sessions will be scheduled based on industry and applicant need, and application information will be shared when that is available.

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IPIC was established in 1994 as a coordinated effort of the colleges of Agriculture (now Agriculture and Life Sciences) and Veterinary Medicine at ISU. Its mission is to promote efficient pork production technologies in Iowa, maintain Iowa's pork industry leadership and strengthen rural development efforts. IPIC focuses its efforts on programs that are integral and complementary to ISU Extension and Outreach. Through IPIC, Iowa producers receive accurate and timely information to make their operations more efficient and profitable.