Training dates are set for Nebraska's commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification of their license to use or purchase restricted use pesticides in 2018. The statewide training is coordinated through the Nebraska Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).
Training will be offered at multiple locations from January through April.
In 2018 approximately 3,060 commercial and noncommercial applicators will need to be recertified. They include fumigators, ornamental and turf applicators, exterminators, and others.
Commercial applicators are those using restricted use pesticides (RUPs), and in some cases, general use pesticides, on a contract or for-hire basis. 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.
Separate training opportunities will be held for dicamba products XtendiMax, FeXapan, and Engenia, now classified as RUPs. Information related to that training will be available in early 2018.
Advance registration is required for all initial commercial and noncommercial applicator training, as well as for most other training sessions. Each applicator pays an $80 fee, regardless of the number of training sessions. Required initial training study materials range from $10 to $30 per manual, depending on category.
Initial certification requires passing a general standards exam, in addition to one or more specific applicator categories. Applicants can study by themselves, although the best results combine training with study materials before taking the exam.
Recertification opportunities are available at extension offices in February and March, and at several annual conferences and trade association meetings early in 2018. The best opportunity for commercial applicators to recertify in the agricultural plant category and demo/research subcategory, other than by examination, will be at Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics in January.
Extension conducts the training programs, while the Nebraska Department of Agriculture issues the licenses. NDA testing is offered at initial training locations; in addition, various testing centers will offer computer-based testing for several categories. For information about this testing, see http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/pearson_vue_testing.html. Questions about individual applicator license status should be directed to NDA by calling 402-471-2351 or 877-800-4080.
Initial certification in several categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each location; check the schedule booklet or website for details. Those seeking initial certification must pre-register for one of the following training sessions and buy study materials at least 10 days in advance. Pre-registration is required at http://pested.unl.edu.
Training Sites
Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, March 20.
Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 27.
Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Highway 34, Feb. 1 and 27.
Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Feb. 8 and 27, April 12.
Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 1, March 20.
North Platte: Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, Feb. 8, March 1 and 20, April 12.
Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Road, Feb. 1, March 1, April 12.
O’Neill: Holt County Annex, 128 N. Sixth St., Suite 100, April 19.
Scottsbluff: Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 8 and 27, March 1, April 12.
Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, March 20
Recertification
Recertification in several applicator categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each location; check the pesticide applicator education schedule booklet for details. Preregistration is required at http://pested.unl.edu.
Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 15, March 13 and 22.
Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb 22.
Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 6 and 15.
Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Feb. 13, March 27.
Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 6 and 22, March 29.
Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 6 and 15, March 13.
North Platte: Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 13, and 15, March 22.
O'Neill: Holt County Annex, 128 N. Sixth St., Suite 100, Feb. 13, March 22.
Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd., Feb. 13, March 27 and 29.
Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 6 and 22, March 13.
Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, Feb. 22.
Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics also are a great way to recertify in the agricultural pest control-plant category (01). Preregister online for $80 at http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc to attend one of the following:
- Jan. 10 – Gering, Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
- Jan. 11 – North Platte, Sandhills Convention Center 2102 S. Jeffers St.
- Jan. 15 OR 16 – Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave.
- Jan. 18 – Lincoln, Embassy Suites, 1040 P St.
- Jan. 24-25 – Nebraska Crop Management Conference, Kearney, Younes Conference Center, 416 Talmadge Rd. (Recertification is available either day, registration is $80 per day. Separate two-day conference fee is $150.)
Recertification also is available through attending annual trade organization conferences. Conferences offering these opportunities for specific categories include:
Nebraska Turfgrass Conference: Jan. 9-11, La Vista Conference Center, 12540 Westport Parkway, LaVista, recertification in ornamental and turf pest control category. Preregister at http://www.nebraskaturfgrass.com/events/nebraska-turf-conference or call the Nebraska Turfgrass Association at 402-472-5351 with questions.
Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference: Feb. 13-14, The Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St., Lincoln, recertification in structural/health-related pest control and wood-destroying organisms. Preregister at http://nspca.org or call the Nebraska State Pest Control Association, 402-476-1528 for copies of the program and registration information.
Nebraska Aviation Trades Association Convention: Feb. 20-21, The Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St., Lincoln, recertification in aerial pest control category. For more information, email nata@windstream.net or call the Nebraska Aviation Trades Association, 402-475-6282.
