Several Options for Earning Pesticide Certification
Published: Friday, January 28, 2022
The following is from Philip Kaatz of Michigan State University Extension.
In Michigan, winter is a time when the commercial agricultural community starts to think about pesticide applicator certifications. For some, it may be because the new production season is approaching and they would like to make sure everything is in place before it begins. For others, it's because applicator certification credentials must be obtained before purchasing restricted use pesticides.
It would be an understatement to say that things have changed a little bit over the last 18 months. As we all know, there was a period of time in which everything was put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is allowing in-person testing to resume, we have been receiving inquiries from growers about the current state of the pesticide application recertification process.
In service to Michigan agriculture, Michigan State University Extension has developed this short FAQ to help restricted use pesticide (RUP) applicators find the testing and recertification options that work best for them.
Important note to those who are recertifying: Be sure to have your applicator license number handy when you are attending an education session or taking the exam.
There are three testing options available:
1. Paper-based in-person exams (with core review sessions) are available through MSU Extension.
2. Computer-based in-person exams are available through the Metro Institute.
3. Computer-based remotely-proctored exams are available through the Metro Institute.
Private Core, Commercial Core and Category manuals can be purchased online at the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC) website. Manuals can also be purchased at your county Extension office, although availability may be limited due to the pandemic. Calling ahead is recommended.
Core review sessions are four-hour sessions that cover every chapter of the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual. Review sessions take place in the morning and are followed by the MDARD Private and Commercial Core applicator exams in the afternoon. Many applicators have found this program to be convenient and helpful.
Note: No Commercial Category exams will be offered at these sessions.
Core review and testing sessions are scheduled from January through March. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, availability is limited:
• Jan. 28—Tuscola Technology Center, 1401 Cleaver Rd, Caro, Mich.
• Feb. 18—St. Clair County Administrative Office Bldg., Donald E. Dodge Auditorium, 200 Grand River Ave., Port Huron, Mich.
• Feb. 21—Dearth Community Center, 262 S. Sprague St., Coldwater, Mich.
• March 15—Peterson Research Center, 5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, Mich.
• March 29—Mid Michigan Community College, 1375 S Clare Ave., Harrison, Mich.
Registration and more information can be found at the MDARD In-Person Core Testing and Core Review web page.
A private company that has been authorized by MDARD to administer pesticide applicator certification tests.
The Metro Institute has 18 locations throughout Michigan.
This exam is designed to be taken from your home or office. It requires applicants to have:
• reliable internet service
• a moveable camera and
• a microphone
MDARD recommends logging into the system and accessing the exam at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Registration for a computer-based exam with the Metro Institute is available on their website.
MDARD certification fee schedule: private applicator fee is $50 and commercial applicator fee is $75
Testing costs:
• MSU Extension paper-based in-person exam and core review session: $25
• Metro Institute computer-based in-person exam: $55
• Metro Institute remote-proctored exam: $65
Note that the testing costs are in addition to the certification fees. MDARD emphasizes that the certification process is not complete until applicators have submitted a completed license application and the application fee.
All of this information and more can be found at the MDARD Pesticide Applicator Certification webpage.
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