Organic Certification

How to Become a Certified Operation

Certifiers are responsible for making sure that USDA organic products meet all organic standards. There are five basic steps to organic certification:

1. The farm or business adopts organic practices, selects a USDA-accredited certifying agent, and submits an application and fees to the certifying agent.
   An Organic System Plan (OSP) is the foundation of the organic
   certification application. It is submitted with the application and provides certification agents and reviewers with a thorough
   understanding of how an operation complies with organic regulations.
2. The certifying agent reviews the application to verify that practices comply with USDA organic regulations.
3. An inspector conducts an on-site inspection of the applicant’s operation.
4. The certifying agent reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant complies with the USDA organic regulations.
5. The certifying agent issues organic certificate.

To maintain organic certification, your certified organic farm or business will go through an annual review and inspection process. 

Interested in getting certified to sell products as organic? Complete THIS FORM to share your contact information with USDA-accredited organic certifiers. Certifiers may contact you directly to learn more about your certification needs. Only fill the form if you are looking into different certifying agencies option.

Before selecting an organic certification agency, you should ensure that the agency is able to offer certification for the scope(s) of your operation. Although most agencies can certify all scopes, some agencies specialize in specific areas.

How Much Does Organic Certification Cost?

Actual certification costs or fees vary widely depending on the certifying agent and the size, type, and complexity of your operation. Certification costs may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Before you apply, ask your certifier for a fee structure and billing cycle. Typically, there is an application fee, annual renewal fee, assessment on annual production or sales, and inspection fees.
Once you are certified, the USDA Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs can reimburse eligible operations up to 75 percent of their certification costs.

Is There a Transition Period?

Yes. Any land used to produce raw organic commodities must not have had prohibited substances applied to it for the past three years. Until the full 36-month transition period is met, you may not:

• Sell, label, or represent the product as “organic”
• Use the USDA organic or certifying agent’s seal

USDA provides technical and financial assistance during the transition period through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Or, access a variety of funding options, conservation programs, and other programs and services for the organic sector on the USDA Organic Portal

Written by: Swati Shrestha, PhD, Programs Manager, MOA