If you have a pesticide applicators license expiring April 2023 — either private or commercial, or you need to get a new license — classes begin soon. Make plans now to participate in the training option that best 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 or 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 IN-PERSON TRAINING CLASSES
Visit https://pested.unl.edu for dates, locations and registration. Registration is required. Cost is $95 per online registration. Trainings will be held at the Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County conference rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln.
• Initial trainings start at 8:30 a.m. — Tuesday, Jan. 31; Tuesday, Feb. 14; Tuesday, March 14 and Wednesday, April 5.
• Recertification trainings start at 8:30 a.m. — Thursday, Feb. 2; Thursday, March 2; Thursday, March 16 and Thursday, April 6.
In-person trainings are a supplemental learning opportunity; they DO NOT replace pre-class studying of category manuals or flip charts for test preparation. Study materials for all commercial categories must be purchased online at https://pested.unl.edu.
ONLINE SELF-PACED OPTION —RECERTIFICATION ONLY
This is a 100% online training, which includes watching the General Standards recertification video, plus a video for each additional category to be renewed. Cost is $95 per participant. Register at https://pested.unl.edu.
CONFERENCE OPTIONS: RECERTIFICATION ONLY
• Crop Production Clinics — General Standards (00), Ag Plant (01) or Demonstration/Research (D/R) categories. See related article at right. Registration is required, cost is $95 per participant.
• Nebraska Turf Conference — General Standards (00) and Ornamental & Turf (04) categories. Visit https://nebraskaturfgrass.com/conference for more information.
• Urban Pest Management Conference — General Standards (00), Structural Health (08), Wood Destroying Organisms (08w) and Fumigation (11) categories. Visit https://www.nspca.org for more information.
TESTING-ONLY OPTIONS
• Closed-book exams are given by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). Visit https://pested.unl.edu for a list of available test-only dates, times and locations.
• NDA computer-based testing is provided through the Pearson VUE company. Visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/pearson_vue_testing.html for a list of testing sites, exams available, dates and registration information. There is a charge of $55 per exam charged by Pearson VUE.
****************************************
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 IN-PERSON CLASSES
Call your local Extension office, https://epd.unl.edu, for training dates in your area and to register. Lincoln dates will be held at Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County conference rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 1–4 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 9, 6–9 p.m. and Thursday, Mar. 30, 1–4 p.m. Cost is $50 per participant, collected at the door. Register at https://croptechcafe.org/training.
CROP PRODUCTION CLINICS
Initial training in General Standards (00) and Ag Plant (01) is available for private applicators. See related article at right. Registration is required, cost is $95 per participant.
ONLINE SELF-STUDY PROGRAM
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. Visit https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training for more information and a link to register. Cost is $50 per participant.
NDA TESTING OPTIONS
Take a written, closed-book exam given by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Visit https://pested.unl.edu for a list of available test-only dates, times and locations.