If you have a pesticide applicators license — either private or commercial, or you need to get a new license — classes begin soon. Make plans now to attend the training option that fits your needs.
COMMERCIAL/NONCOMMERCIAL APPLICATORS
Commercial/noncommercial applicators are professionals who apply restricted-use pesticides for hire or compensation. Anyone who applies pesticides to the property of another person, either restricted- or general-use products, for control of pests in lawns, landscapes, buildings or homes must also have a commercial pesticide applicators license. Public employees (those employed by a town, county, state) applying mosquito control pesticides whether restricted- or general-use, must also hold a commercial or noncommercial certification.
Commercial/noncommercial applicators have four options to recertify or get a new license.
Traditional training classes — visit http://pested.unl.edu for dates, locations and registration. Cost is $80 per online preregistration or $90 per mail, fax and at-the-door registration. Trainings at the Lancaster Extension Education Center, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln will be:
• Initial trainings starting at 8:30 a.m. — Feb. 4, Feb. 27, March 17 and April 9.
• Recertification trainings starting at 9 a.m. — Feb. 6, Feb. 20 and March 26.
Testing-only option — Take a written, closed-book exam given by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Visit http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/applicator_testing.html for dates, times and locations. Free.
Pearson VUE testing — Take a computer-based test provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. No training is given with this option; testing only. Not all categories are offered, so visit http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/pearson_vue_testing.html for categories, dates, locations and registration. Cost $55 per exam. (Multiple categories are each charged the full fee.)
Crop Production clinics (recertification only) — Categories Ag Plant, Regulatory or Demonstration/Research can use this option. Visit http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc for a clinic listing and registration. Cost $80 per participant, includes lunch and training materials.
PRIVATE APPLICATORS
Private applicators are farmers or producers raising an agricultural commodity on land they own or rent. Or an employee making pesticide applications on their employer’s farm. Private applicators have four ways to recertify or get a new license.
Traditional training classes — visit http://pested.unl.edu and click on “Classes and Study Materials,” then “Private Training Schedule” for dates and locations. Lincoln dates will be published in the next Nebline. Cost $40 per participant collected at the door. No pre-registration required.
Crop Production Clinics — Receive initial or recertification training. Visit http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc for a clinic listing and registration. Crop Production Clinics held in southeast Nebraska will be Friday, Jan. 10 in Beatrice; Tuesday, Jan. 14 in York and Wednesday, Jan. 15 near Mead. Cost $80 per participant, includes lunch and training materials.
NEW online private self- study program — An online training can be found at https://psep.education/applicator. This is a 100% online, self-paced training with 10 modules. There are questions within the modules and a score of 100% is needed to pass. Cost is $75.
Testing-only option — Take a written, closed-book exam given by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Visit http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/applicator_testing.html, then scroll down to NDA Walk-In “Testing Only” Sessions for locations and dates. Times are 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Free.