UNIVERSITY PARK — To ensure safe and effective pesticide handling, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture oversees and regulates pesticide applicator certification.

Penn State Extension offers a wide variety of tools for those preparing for the state’s certification exams as well as numerous opportunities for certified applicators to earn recertification credits, including a 25% discount on online pesticide recertification courses through March 15.

For those studying to become an applicator, the extension offers 27 study packets that cover all but one of the required exams. These materials span categories such as ornamental and shade trees, lawn and turf, right-of-way and weeds, household and health-related pest control, park and school pest control, swimming pools and many other categories.

Study materials also are available for the pesticide dealer manager certification examination, aimed at businesses that sell restricted use pesticides. In addition, Penn State Extension offers a training package for businesses with registered technicians.

Online courses from Extension are available to prepare participants for the Pennsylvania commercial or public pesticide applicator core certification exam. This course covers such topics as pest management, pesticide laws and regulations, pesticide labeling, pesticide hazards and first aid, pesticides in the environment, pesticide application procedures, and others.

Another online course prepares participants outside of Pennsylvania to take their state pesticide applicator core certification exam if it is based on the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual.

For Spanish-speaking participants, Penn State Extension periodically offers a private applicator short course in Spanish in which instructors review and highlight key material from the Private Applicator study packet. The course includes practice exam sessions to help boost confidence before taking the actual exam.

Penn State Extension also provides multiple in-person pesticide applicator short courses throughout the state each year. These classroom-style sessions are designed to assist participants in their exam preparation. Instructors offer the courses in different counties and throughout various months of the year.

For applicators seeking recertification credits, learning formats include online courses, correspondence courses (or workbooks), workshops, webinars and conferences. Pesticide applicators must obtain recertification credits every three years in core and appropriate category-specific topics.

“Many applicators live in remote areas or lack internet access or interest in online learning, so we offer a wide variety of formats to accommodate the needs of our audience,” said Jon Johnson, director of pesticide education. “Everyone likes options. Whether you prefer to learn in the comfort of your home or meet in public places to socialize and experience instruction in the company of others, you will find the format that works best for you.”

Extension offers 30 online courses and webinars with opportunities to earn pesticide recertification credits. These virtual options cover a wide range of topics, such as aquatic pesticide management, employee landscape training, forage weed management, pesticide emergency or incidence response, turfgrass installation and maintenance, pesticides in the environment, and many other subjects.

With several in-person workshops and conferences on the calendar, Extension also accommodates those who prefer in-person instruction. These workshops, such as the “Professional Pest Managers School” and the “Crops Day” events held around the state, provide opportunities for networking with peers while earning recertification credits.

“The variety of available options allows educators and topic specialists to provide both in-person instruction within their geographic areas and remote instruction over the entire commonwealth,” Johnson said.

A goal of Penn State Extension’s Pesticide Education Program is to support the growth of productive, profitable and competitive businesses and a sustainable food system in Pennsylvania’s evolving economy. By providing information and educational opportunities, Penn State Extension aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding pesticide use.

More information about various opportunities for pesticide applicators is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/pest25off.