Agriculture Department Reminds Private Pesticide Licensees Of March Deadline, Renewal Requirements

On December 16, the Department of Agriculture reminded private pesticide applicators whose licenses expire on March 31, 2021, that they will need to complete recertification credit requirements and pay a $10 renewal fee by the deadline. 

Expanded virtual and correspondence training options are now available for completing requirements without attending in-person training.

Pennsylvania has more than 15,000 licensed private pesticide applicators. Certification is required to purchase or apply restricted-use pesticides for producing agricultural commodities on land owned or rented by applicators or their employers. 

In addition, core and private category recertification credits are required every three years to renew their certification.

While in-person training options have been scaled back in order to limit person-to-person spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our communities, virtual training options are available through Penn State Extension and private industry. 

Find all available recertification credit courses on the department’s PaPlants website Recertification Course Locator page.

To accommodate applicators who cannot access a virtual training opportunity or have limited or no internet access, Penn State Extension will offer correspondence course materials by mail for pesticide recertification. 

In this option, applicators read through a workbook, complete activities, take a quiz and mail it to Penn State Extension for grading. Upon passing the quiz, Penn State Extension will notify the department of an applicant’s successful completion.

For a full list of correspondence courses and to order materials, call 1-877-345-0691. Courses cost $10 plus tax. Ground shipping and handling are free through March 31, 2021. 

Those who choose this option are encouraged to call and order their course workbooks well in advance of the March 31, 2021, deadline to allow time to complete the entire process.

Penn State Extension recertification credit offerings are available online. To locate correspondence courses, find the “Education Format” section on the left and click on “Guides and Publications”.

More information about pesticide applicator licenses, restricted-use pesticides and recertification training can be found on the department’s Pesticide Programs webpage. Licensees who have questions may contact the Bureau of Plant Industry at pesticides@pa.gov. 

[Posted: December 16, 2020]  PA Environment Digest