Dec. 18, 2015

Nebraska's commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification of their license to use or purchase restricted-use pesticides in 2016 can get training through the Nebraska Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program.

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

The program has sent commercial/noncommercial pesticide applicators with certifications expiring in April a schedule booklet that has certification information and dates. Copies of the booklet are available at local extension offices, by phoning the pesticide safety education office at 800-627-7216 or 402-472-1632 or by visiting 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 the sessions, regardless of the number of categories selected. Required study materials for initial training range from $10 to $30 per manual, depending on the 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 2016. 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.

Nebraska Extension conducts the training programs, while 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 by calling 402-471-2351.

Initial certification in several categories is offered at various locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; 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-registration is required at http://pested.unl.edu.

• Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, March 22.
• Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 2.
• Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 2.
• Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Highway 34, Feb. 2 and 25.
• Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Feb. 2 and 25, April 14.
• Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 2 and 25.
• North Platte: UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, Feb. 2 and 25, March 22, April 14.
• Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Road, Feb. 2, March 22, April 14.
• Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 2 and 25, March 22, April 14.
• Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, March 24.

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. 4, 23, March 24.
• Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb 23.
• Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 4, March 24.
• Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 4, 23.
• Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Feb. 4, March 24.
• Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 4, 23, March 24.
• Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 4, 23, March 24.
• North Platte: UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 4, 23, March 24.
• O'Neill: Holt County Courthouse, 204 4th St., March 22, 31.
• Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd., Feb. 4, 23, March 24.
• Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 4, 23, March 31.
• Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, March 22.

    UNL Crop Production Clinics are a great way to recertify in the agricultural pest control -- plant category.
Pre-register online for $65 at http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc.

• Jan. 6 – Gering; Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
• Jan. 7 – North Platte; Sandhills Convention Center, 2102 S. Jeffers
• Jan. 8 – York; Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave.
• Jan. 12 – Beatrice; Classics Country Club, 1301 Oak St.
• Jan. 13 – Hastings; Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore
• Jan. 14 – Kearney; Younes Conference Center, 416 Talmadge Rd.
• Jan. 19 – Atkinson; Atkinson Community Center, 206 W. 5th St.
• Jan. 20 – Norfolk; Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave.
• Jan. 21 – 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. 12-14, LaVista Conference Center, 12540 Westport Parkway, LaVista,
recertification in ornamental and turf pest control category and demo/research subcategory. Pre-register 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. 9-10, 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. Applicators may recertify in up to three categories at the conference. Pre-register at http://entomology.unl.edu 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. 15-17, Ramada Inn, 301 S. Second Ave.,
Kearney, recertification in aerial pest control category. Visit http://gonata.net, email nata@windstream.net or call the
Nebraska Aviation Trades Association at 402-475-6282 for information.