Commercial/Noncommercial Applicators: Extension Training Available February-April

Commercial/Noncommercial Applicators: Extension Training Available February-April

Registration for training is now available for Nebraska's commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators seeking recertification of their license, or persons seeking first-time certification, to use or purchase restricted use pesticides (RUPs) in 2019. This also applies to those using general use pesticides (GUPs) for turf and structural settings.

The statewide training is coordinated through the Nebraska Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) from February through April.

Sampe comemrcial applicator license

Commercial and noncommercial applicators whose certifications expire in April are to be mailed a PSEP schedule booklet showing certification information and dates. The booklet also is available at local Extension offices; by phoning PSEP at 800-627-7216 or 402-472-1632; or by visiting https://pested.unl.edu/documents/2019-PSEP-Training-Booklet.pdf.

In 2019 approximately 3,200 commercial and noncommercial applicators need to be recertified. They include fumigators, ornamental and turf applicators, exterminators, and others.

Commercial applicators are those using RUPs, and in some cases GUPs, 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 Extension training opportunities will be held for dicamba products XtendiMax, FeXapan and Engenia, classified as RUPs since 2017. It is a federal requirement to complete state-approved dicamba training prior to using the three products, due to the potential for drift and damage to non-target crops. In fall 2018, the US Environmental Protection Agency extended registration for the three products through Dec. 20, 2020. See https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training#dicamba for PSEP training information beginning Jan. 2.

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 the category. Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) licensing is an additional $90 for commercial applicators.

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. 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 NDA issues the licenses. NDA testing is offered at initial training locations; in addition is computer-based testing for several categories at various testing centers. 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. Each site offers some of the 19 categories; check the schedule booklet or website for details. Those seeking initial certification must pre-register for one of the following training sessions and purchase study materials at least 10 days in advance. Pre-register at http://pested.unl.edu.

Initial Commercial/Noncommercial Training Schedule

Start time is 8:30 a.m. Note change in location for Madison County. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the pesticide applicator education schedule booklet for details. Preregistration is required and available at https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training#commercial.

  • Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, March 19
  • Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 26
  • Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Highway 34, Feb. 5 and 26
  • Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Feb. 5 and 26, April 11
  • Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, 1305 S. 13th St. (note new location), Feb. 5 and 28, March 19
  • North Platte: Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, Feb. 12 and 28, March 19, April 11
  • Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Road, Feb. 12, March 19, April 11
  • O’Neill: Holt County Annex, 128 N. Sixth St., Suite 100, April 18
  • Scottsbluff: Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 12, 26 and 28; April 11

Recertification Commercial/Noncommercial Training Schedule

Start time is 9 a.m. Note change in location for Madison County. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the pesticide applicator education schedule booklet for details. Preregistration is required and available at https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training#commercial.

  • Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 19, March 12 and 21
  • Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb 21, March 21
  • Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 7 and 19
  • Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Feb. 13, March 26
  • Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 7 and 21, March 28
  • Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, 1305 S. 13th St. (note new location), Feb. 7, 13 and 19; March 12
  • North Platte: Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 14 and 19, March 21
  • O'Neill: Holt County Annex, 128 N. Sixth St., Suite 100, Feb. 14, March 21
  • Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd., Feb. 14, March 21 and 26
  • Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 7 and 21, March 26

Additional Training Options

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. 9 – Gering, Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
  • Jan. 10 – North Platte, Sandhills Convention Center 2102 S. Jeffers St.
  • Jan. 15 – LaVista, LaVista Conference Center, 12520 Westport Parkway
  • Jan. 17 – York, Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave.
  • Jan. 23 or 24 – Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave.

Nebraska Crop Management Conference Jan. 28-29 in Kearney, Younes Conference Center, 416 Talmadge Rd. (Preregistration is required. Recertification is available either day at $80 per day or both days for $150.)

Nebraska Turfgrass Conference Jan. 8-10 in LaVista, LaVista Conference Center, 12540 Westport Parkway. Recertification in ornamental and turf pest control (04). Preregister at https://www.nebraskaturfgrass.com or call the Nebraska Turfgrass Association at 402-472-5351.

Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference Feb. 21-22 in Lincoln at the Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St. Recertification in structural/health-related pest control (08), wood-destroying organisms (08W), fumigation (11), and public health (09). 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. 19-20 in Lincoln at the Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St. Recertification in ag plant (01) and aerial pest control (12). For more information, email tayor@youraam.com or call the Nebraska Aviation Trades Association, 402-761-2211.

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