Nebraska's commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification of their license to use or buy restricted-use pesticides in 2015 can get training through Nebraska Extension.

"Training is offered at a variety of locations statewide from January through April," said Clyde Ogg, UNL Extension pesticide safety educator.

UNL Extension's Pesticide Safety Education Program has sent commercial/noncommercial pesticide applicators with certifications expiring in April a 2015 Pesticide Safety Education Program Schedule booklet that has certification information and dates. Copies of the schedule booklet are available at local extension office or by phoning UNL's pesticide education office at 800-627-7216 or 402-472-1632 or online at http://pested.unl.edu/commercialschedule.

"Commercial applicators are those using restricted-use pesticides, and in some cases general-use pesticides, on a contract or for-hire basis," Ogg said. "Noncommercial applicators are those applying these same pesticides to sites owned by an employer or for a governmental agency or political subdivision of the state."

Advance registration is required for all initial commercial/noncommercial applicator training and most other training sessions. A $60 fee applies for each applicator registering for February through April sessions, regardless of the number of categories registered for. Required study materials for initial training range from $10 to $30 per manual, depending on category.

"Initial certification requires passing a general standards exam and one or more specific applicator categories," Ogg said. Applicants can study by themselves, but for best results, Ogg recommends combining the training with the study materials.

"Training combined with individual study has the best track record for preparing someone to take the state license exams," he said.

Recertification opportunities are available at several Extension offices in February and March and at several annual conferences and trade association meetings early in 2015. The only opportunity for commercial applicators to recertify in the Agricultural Plant category and Demo/Research subcategory, other than by examination, will be at UNL Crop Production Clinics in January.

UNL conducts the training programs, and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture grants the licenses.  NDA testing is offered at initial training locations. Questions about individual applicator license status should be directed to NDA at 402-471-2351.

Initial Certification

Initial certification in several categories is offered at various locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the pesticide applicator education schedule booklet for details. Those seeking initial certification must preregister for one of the following training sessions and purchase study materials at least 10 days in advance of the training. Preregistration is required at pested.unl.edu:

Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, March 17
Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 3
Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 3
Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 3, 26
Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 3, 19, April 9
Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 3, 26
North Platte: UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 3, 26, April 9
Ogallala: Valentino's, 55 River Rd., March 24
Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd., Feb. 3, March 12, April 9
Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 3, 26, March 17, April 9
Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, March 12

Recertification

Recertification in several applicator categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the pesticide applicator education schedule booklet for details. Preregistration is required at pested.unl.edu:

Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 5, 24, March 19
Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb 5
Dakota City: Farm Service Center, 1505 Broadway, Feb. 24
Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 5, March 19
Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 5
Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Feb. 5, March 19
Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 5, 17, March 19
Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 5, 19, March 19
North Platte: UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 5, 24
O'Neill: Holt County Courthouse, 204 4th St., Feb. 5, 24
Ogallala: Valentino's, 55 River Rd., March 26
Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd., Feb. 5, 24, March 19
Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 5, 24, March 19
Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, March 19

Recertification at Crop Production Clinics

UNL Crop Production Clinics are a great way to recertify in the Agricultural Pest Control – Plant category. Preregister on-line for $65 (http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc). The clinics begin at 8:45 a.m., local time, at the following locations:

Jan. 6 – Gering; Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
Jan. 7 – North Platte; Sandhills Convention Center, 2102 S. Jeffers
Jan. 8 – Hastings; Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore

Jan. 13 – Kearney; Younes Conference Center, 416 Talmadge Rd.
Jan. 14 – York; Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave.
Jan. 15 – Beatrice; Classics Country Club, 1301 Oak St.

Jan. 20 – Atkinson; Atkinson Community Center, 206 W. 5th St.
Jan. 21 – Norfolk; Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave.
Jan. 22 – ARDC; 1071 County Road G, Ithaca

Recertification is also available through attending annual trade organization conferences. Conferences offering these opportunities for specific categories include:

Nebraska Turf Conference: Jan. 6-8, LaVista Conference Center, 12540 Westport Parkway, LaVista. Recertification in Ornamental and Turf pest control category and Demo/Research subcategory. Preregister at http://www.nebraskaturfgrass.com/events/nebraska-turf-conference/ or call the Nebraska Turfgrass Association at 402-472-5351 for questions.

Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference: Feb. 10-11, The Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St., Lincoln. Recertification in Structural/Health-related pest control, Wood Destroying Organisms, Public Health pest control, and Fumigation categories. Preregister at http://entomology.unl.edu or call the UNL Department of Entomology at 402-472-6857 for copies program and registration information.

Nebraska Aviation Trades Association Convention: Feb. 16-18, Ramada Inn, 301 S. 2nd Ave., Kearney. Recertification in Aerial Pest Control category. Visit  http://gonata.net/, email nata@windstream.net, or call the Nebraska Aviation Trades Association 402-475-6282 for information.

Steven Ress, Communications Coordinator
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