Examination

The Consolidated Exam Committee, established in 2006, has achieved the goal set by AOSA and SCST members of developing a single accreditation standard for conventional seed analysts in the United States by Spring 2013.  The members of the AOSA Certification of Analysts Committee and the SCST RST Board of Examiners combined the best aspects of both exams to develop germination and purity exams that will be offered annually in each region (as needed).  The germination and purity exams each take one day and include both written and practical exercises.

Today, the Examination Committee of AOSA-SCST continues to work hard to conduct examinations which ensure analysts who achieve certified or registered status are highly qualified and have demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of seed testing. 

The Consolidated Exam Committee will administer the Spring Examination in conjunction with the ISU Seed Analyst Short Course. The examination process will occur in several stages and formats.

Applicants must submit applications using the current versions of the exam or re-examination application forms; applications submitted on outdated forms will not be accepted. Applicants are also required to view the informational video explaining the updated exam format before submitting an application. Any applicant who has not previously taken the new exam format must watch this video prior to applying. The video is available under the “NEW Exam Format!!” tab:

Following the application review process, approved candidates will be provided with a list of required equipment necessary for exam participation. Candidates are responsible for ensuring their systems meet these requirements. As no alternative arrangements will be available, a mandatory system check will be conducted prior to the exam dates to confirm technical readiness.

Applications will be considered in the order received. Applications that are unclear or contain incomplete information will be rejected. Due to the nature of the exam, space is limited.  For all examinations, applications are available from the AOSA/SCST website or from the AOSA/SCST Administrative Office.  

Please submit full, complete applications to the appropriate exam co-chair and Executive Director at the following locations via scan and email to:

These are individuals who have successfully qualified for and passed the RST exam. The current qualifications include a minimum of two years work experience, two years of an active Associate Membership and accumulation of 100 points from workshops, college courses, and work experience.  The RST exam includes written purity and germination exams as well as a germination practical exam, seed separations, and seed identification.  RSTs are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain membership and are required to pay annual membership dues.  They must sign a contract for Privilege of Use of the Organization name, logo, RST seal, and the title Registered Seed Technologist.  RSTs have one vote on all Organization business and can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds.  RSTs are eligible to run for elected office and can chair or participate on committees.  To find more detailed information on the RST examination please visit the AOSA-SCST Exam Content and Preparation tab on this page.

These are individuals who have successfully qualified for and passed the RGT exam. The current qualifications include a minimum of two years work experience, two years of an active Associate Membership and accumulation of 100 points from workshops, college courses, and work experience. An RGT has passed three of the four genetic technology exams: herbicide bioassay, electrophoresis, immunoassay testing (ELISA), and PCR.  The RGT exam includes a required written molecular genetics and area specific written and practical exams in the four genetic technology areas. RGTs are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain membership and are required to pay annual membership dues.  They must sign a contract for Privilege of Use of the Societies name, logo, RGT seal, and the title Registered Genetics Technologist. RGTs are eligible to run for elected office and can chair or participate on committees.  

These are individuals who have successfully qualified for and passed the CGT exam. The current qualifications include a minimum of one year of work experience, two years of an active Associate Membership and accumulation of 100 points from workshops, college courses, and work experience.  A CGT has passed one or two of the four genetic technology exams: herbicide bioassay, electrophoresis, immunoassay testing (ELISA), and PCR.  The CGT exam includes a required written molecular genetics exam and area specific written and practical exams in the four genetic technology areas.  CGTs are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain membership and are required to pay annual dues. CGTs have one vote on all Organization business and can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds.  CGTs are eligible to run for elected office and can chair or participate on committees.  

These are individuals who have successfully qualified for and passed the CVT or CPT exam. The current qualifications include a minimum of two years of work experience, two years of an active Associate Membership and accumulation of 100 points from workshops, college courses, and work experience. The CVT exam includes the written germination exam as well as a germination practical exam.  The CPT exam includes the written purity exam, and seed separations, and seed identification practical exams.  To find more detailed information on the CVT or CPT examination please visit the Organization Exam Content and Preparation tab on this page.

CVTs and CPTs are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain membership and are required to pay annual dues. They must sign a contract for Privilege of Use of the Organization name, logo, and the title Certified Viability or Purity Technologist. Appendix E contains a sample contract, CVTs and CPTs have one vote on all Organization business and can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds.  They are eligible to run for elected office and chair or participate on any committees.

Qualifications include evidence of employment in a business that has a seed testing laboratory, oversight of quality control, or seed analysis, with a current Registered or Certified Membership, or Registered/Certified Member Inactive for three years or less.  They are entitled to one vote on all Organization matters, can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds, and are eligible to use the Name, Insignia (logo), title Professional Member and hold elective office.

Individuals involved in teaching, research and outreach in the field of seed technology.  They are entitled to one vote on all Organization matters, can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds,  and are eligible to use the Name, Insignia (logo), title Research Member and hold elective office. They are entitled to an annual subscription of the Seed Technologist News, Proceedings, Board Notes, and reduced prices on AOSA-SCST publications.

Individuals interested in seed technology or who are preparing for the exam. Associate members have one vote on Organization business matters.

Members who have previously served the organization as Accredited members and who have left the seed testing industry due to retirement. Emeritus members are entitled to one vote on all Organization matters, can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds, and hold elective office or chair committees. 

Analysts preparing for the purity and germination exams should download the Exam Content Information document and the Seed Identification List.  The AOSA-SCST Study Guides contain excellent and useful information that can be used to prepare for the exams while the  Exam Study Guide is finalized. There is also Practice Tests, Webinars, Mentoring and Study Hall information available on the Teaching and Training web page.

Analysts who wish to become Accredited Registered or Certified members of AOSA-SCST need to fulfill the requirements to qualify to take the exam and submit the application to AOSA-SCST.

Email: aosa-scst@aosa-scst.com

Phone: 916.441.1064

Sarah Graybill, Co-chair
Email: sarah.graybill@sgs.com
Phone: (605) 692-7611  

Leanne Duncan, Co-chair
Email: leanne.duncan@inspection.gc.ca
Phone: (306) 914-6798

AOSA-SCST
Analysts who are needing to re-take an exam for any reason, should download the RST, CVT, or CPT Re-Exam Application and submit it to AOSA.

AOSA-SCST
1521 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:  916.441.1064
Email:  aosa-scst@aosa-scst.com

Applications for reinstatement must be made in writing to the Executive Director, please include payment of current and outstanding dues (will be prorated). Applicant must verify compliance with Continuing Education requirements.

AOSA-SCST
1521 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:  916.441.1064
Email:  aosa-scst@aosa-scst.com

The members of the AOSA-SCST RGT Board of Examiners offer the RGT/CGT written exam annually in each region (as needed), practical exams are taken in the examiners lab with an approved proctor.  The practical exam must be taken within one year of taking the written exams.

The “NEW” RGT/CGT written exams will be implemented this year. The new testing areas include: Trait Purity, Genetic Purity and Adventitious Presence (AP). The Molecular Genetics exam has not changed and is required before taking the other three exams. To obtain RGT status, the analyst must successfully pass the Molecular Genetics exam and all three of the new written exams plus practicals. For CGT status, the analyst must pass Molecular Genetics exam and one or two of the new written exams plus practical’s.

Applications for the AOSA-SCST RGT/CGT Genetic Technology Written Exams are now being accepted.

Questions related to RGT/CGT written exams should be directed to the RGT Board of Examiners Chair: Molly Richeson at molly.richeson@agreliant.com

To receive samples from the SCST Seed Library, please label all envelopes/packets with the genus and species requested.  Forward the envelopes to our attention at the address listed below and we will fill the envelopes as soon as possible.  We will return the envelopes via FedEx.  An invoice will be sent to you from the SCST Executive office to cover the cost of shipping.

Illinois Crop Improvement Association
Attn: Mark Berns
3105 Research Road
Champaign, IL 61826

The Seed Library has 29 seed identification sets and 11 seed separation sets available for loan.  Study and or separation sets will be loaned for a period of 3 weeks.  Loan extensions can be made by asking for additional time of 2 weeks.  Study sets that are not returned within the loan period timeframe, or for samples that are returned damaged, may result in loss of borrowing additional study sets from the SCST Seed Library.  Any sets loaned out must be returned before additional sets can be issued.  If you would like to borrow any of the study/separation sets please contact one of the chairs listed below.  The sets will be sent via FedEx.  An invoice will be sent to you from the SCST Executive office to cover the cost of shipping.