Crop inspector and seed certification

Our training, including refresher courses, is based around the seed certification schemes, with 550 field plots set-aside specifically for training. 

Niab offers courses for cereals, pulses, herbage and oilseed crops and regularly train international candidates in all botanical characteristic recognition, enabling them to work towards licences in their own countries. With courses also available on seed sampling, grain variety identification, seed analysis and seed certification administration

Courses are run in two parts:

• Part I – online training and exam. Candidates have access to online tutor support throughout the course
• Part II – practical training and exam. Held at Niab in Cambridge, looking at live material in small groups with a tutor and demonstrator. Final examination held in the plots.

The intensive training is provided by experts in each specific crop type, offering instruction on variety identification, aided by experienced official crop inspectors. 

The course is designed to provide the appropriate training for candidates sitting their examination for an APHA Crop Inspector’s Licence. Training covers crop botany, classification and identification relating to the licence, plus the theory and practice of crop inspection. Features of the course include:

• detailed instructions of crop inspection techniques
• comprehensive literature
• identification of major crop species and minor species.

To qualify for a full licence, candidates must pass the Part I and II examinations in the same calendar year. It is a requirement under the Seeds Marketing Regulations 2011 that a person applying for a crop inspector’s licence has “completed an appropriate training course relating to the inspection of seed crops of that species and category”.

Training courses 2025 and 2026

For further information and to book places email  [email protected]