Dec. 18, 2013

Also see Pesticide Applicator Training to Cover Standards Plus New Topics.

Nebraska commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification in 2014 to use or purchase restricted-use pesticides can get training through UNL Extension.

Training is offered at several 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 2014 Pesticide Safety Education Program Schedule booklet that has initial certification and recertification information, as well as training dates. Copies of the schedule booklet are available at local extension offices, in CropWatch, 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 who use 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 for which the applicator registers.

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 in preparing someone to take the state pesticide 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 2014. 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 or 877-800-4080.

Initial Certification Class Sites; Preregistration Required

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 required (pested.unl.edu):

• Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, March 18
• Chadron: 4-H Building, Fairgrounds, April 10
• Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 4
• Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 4
• Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 4, 27
• Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd, Feb. 4, 27, April 10
• Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave, Feb. 27, March 18
• North Platte: UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd, Feb. 4, 27, April 10
• Ogallala: Valentino's, 55 River Road, March 18
• Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd, Feb. 4, March 18, April 10
• Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Avenue I, Feb. 4, 27, March 18, April 10
• Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Ste. 3, March 18

Recertification Class Sites; Preregistration Required

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 required (pested.unl.edu):

• Ainsworth: Courthouse Meeting Room, 148 W. 4th St., Feb. 6, 25
• Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 6, 25, March 20
• Chadron: 4-H Building, Fairgrounds, Feb. 20
• Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb 5
• Dakota City: Farm Service Center, 1505 Broadway, Feb. 20
• Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 6, March 20
• Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 6, 25
• Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Feb. 6, March 20
• Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd, Feb. 6, 25, March 20
• Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave, Feb. 6, 25, March 20
• North Platte: UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd, Feb. 6, 25
• Ogallala: Valentino's, 55 River Road, March 20
• Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd, Feb. 6, 20, 25, March 20
• Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave I, Feb. 6, 25, March 20
• Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Ste. 3, March 20

UNL Crop Production Clinics offer opportunities to recertify in the Agricultural Pest Control – Plant category. Preregister on-line for $60 (http://cpc.unl.edu) or at the door for $75. The clinics begin at 8:45 a.m. at the following locations:

• Jan. 7 – Gering; Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
• Jan. 8 – North Platte; Sandhills Convention Center, 2102 S. Jeffers
• Jan. 9 – Hastings; Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore
• Jan. 14 – Kearney; Younes Conference Center, 416 Talmadge Rd
• Jan. 15 – York; The Auditorium, 612 N. Nebraska Ave
• Jan. 16 – Beatrice; Classics Country Club, 1301 Oak St.
• Jan. 21 – Atkinson; Atkinson Community Center, 206 W. 5th St.
• Jan. 22 – Norfolk; Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave
• Jan. 23 – ARDC; 1071 County Road G, Ithaca

Recertification is also available in specific categories at these annual trade organization conferences:

• Nebraska Turf Conference: Jan. 7-9, LaVista Conference Center, 12540 Westport Parkway, LaVista, Nebraska. 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 for questions.
• Nebraska Great Plains Conference, Jan. 16-17, The Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St., Lincoln. Recertification in Ornamental and Turf Pest Control category. Visit http://www.nnla.org/ or call 402-390-1701 for registration information.
• Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference: Feb. 18-19, The Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13 St., Lincoln. Recertification in Structural/Health-related pest control, Wood Destroying Organisms, Public Health pest control, Fumigation, and Wildlife Damage control categories. Preregister at http://entomology.unl.edu/upm.shtml or call the UNL Department of Entomology at 402-472-6857 for copies of the program and registration information.
• Nebraska Aviation Trades Association Convention: Feb. 24-26, Ramada Inn, 301 S. 2nd Ave, Kearney. Recertification in Aerial Pest Control category. Visit http://gonata.net/ or call the Nebraska Aviation Trades Association 402-475-6282 for information.

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