Online FAMACHA© Certification
Online FAMACHA© Certification via University of Maryland Extension will end March 31, 2022, with the retirement of Susan Schoenian. Certifications will be completed for anyone that registers by March 31. Another option for online certification is the University of Rhode Island at https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/famacha/
Registration is now required for the University of Maryland's Online FAMACHA© Certification. You must complete this or similar training in order to get a FAMACHA© card. Online FAMACHA© certification consists of watching a video, passing a quiz, and submitting a video demonstrating proper FAMACHA© scoring technique. Once you meet the requirements you will receive a Certificate of Competence (via email) and a FAMACHA© card. You must be 13 years old to become certified. Due to licensing agreements, certification is limited to residents of North America (US-Canada).
STEP 1 - Register
Registration link
https://go.umd.edu/onlineFAMACHA
STEP 2 - Watch the video
Recording of webinar presentation
https://youtu.be/XTdLEWsJ6AI
Link to PowerPoint Presentation
https://www.slideshare.net/schoenian/online-famacha-certification-2020
STEP 3 - Take the quiz
Link to quiz
https://go.umd.edu/QuizFAMACHA
After you finish taking the quiz, you should see your score and how you did on each question. A passing score is 75 percent correct answers. You can keep taking the test until you pass. Your most recent score will be considered for certification.
STEP 4 - Make a video
Instructions for making and sending video
You don't need a FAMACHA© card to make the video. You can use an index card or make a card from other stiff paper or cardboard (3.5 to 4.5 inches). Draw a thick red line along the long side of the card (using a magic marker). Hold the card next to the membranes and indicate whether the membranes are lighter or the same color as the line. Be sure to score in natural lighting and don't shade the eye. Do both eyes or more than one animal. Be sure to get help restraining the animal(s) and making the video. It's not a one person job. Three people are ideal. Send the video to sschoen@umd.edu. If the file is too large to email, upload it somewhere (YouTube, Vimeo, Flickr, Dropbox, Google Drive) and send me the link. If you don't have any small ruminants, you'll have to find one (or two) to make the video.
TIP: Repeat the words COVER-PUSH-PULL-POP as you score the eyes. Demonstrate each step as you say the words. Use your thumbs. Proper scoring starts with proper restraint of the animal.
Video demonstrating proper FAMACHA© technique: COVER-PUSH-PULL-POP
Here's a longer video: how and why to FAMACHA© score
https://youtu.be/I5rcuvVG56Q
Links to all recommended resources on Wormx.info
You will find more detailed information on everything in the video here:
https://www.wormx.info/resources
Once you meet the above requirements, you will receive a Certificate of Competence in the FAMACHA© anemia scoring system via email. You will receive a FAMACHA© card via mail.
Direct all questions to Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu.