Private pesticide applicators

Certification lasts for three years. To check your certification number, status and expiration date, go to the MDA Private Pesticide Applicator Search page. Or call the MDA at 651-201-6615.

How to get certified

New applicators or those whose certification has lapsed (not currently certified), must take the exam to become certified.

1. Complete the exam as a home study course. Private Pesticide Applicator study manuals (19th Edition; $10) and mail-in exams are available at most county Extension offices, or
2. Complete the exam online.

Recertify

For applicators whose certification has not yet expired, we offer three recertification options in 2021. Each option has the same fee of $75. Choose the format that works best for you and your schedule.

1. Attend a live-online Zoom workshop (the online session replaces in-person recertification workshops).
2. Self-paced Canvas course, similar to the Zoom webinar only completed online at your own pace.
3. Take the exam. You can mail in your exam after completing the home study course, or take the exam online. Mail-in exams and the Private Pesticide Applicator study manuals (19th Edition: $10) are available at most county Extension offices.

You can take the 2021 online self-paced recertification course if your private pesticide applicator license HAS NOT expired and has an expiration date of March 1, 2021.

The self-paced online course provides convenience and flexibility to work through the modules at your own pace and on your own time at the same price as a workshop or exam. 

Registration deadline

You must register by 5 p.m. on February 24, 2021.

Course completion deadline

You must complete 100% of the course by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2021, to receive recertification credit.  The course will close at that time and you will no longer have access to it.

Computer requirements

• Use your own email address to register
  • DO NOT USE someone else's email address. If you use someone else's email address the certification won't be issued in your name and you will need to register, pay and complete the course again to become certified.
  • Registration information and self-paced course access are sent to the email address you enter when you register.

• Browser
  • You must use Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari.
  • You cannot use Internet Explorer.
  • Use one of these web browsers to access the course:
    • Download the Google Chrome web browser. 
    • Or Download the Firefox web browser.
    • Safari, which comes with all Apple products, should work as well.

Download the 2021 private applicator registration and recertification guide if you need help with registration. Refer to the self-paced course section after registration is completed for information on how to navigate the self-paced course.

Fee

$75, payable by credit card. There are no refunds, credits or transfers to another self-paced course, exam (online or mail-in) or a live-online workshop after purchase. No exceptions.

Register for the self-paced course

The self-paced course opens January 5, 2021.

You can choose one of two options to recertify.

1. Ag Crops (such as corn, soybeans, small grains)
2. Fruits and Vegetables

• If you think you may already have a University account from a past exam or course registration, please call the University’s Helpdesk at 612-301-4357 to reactivate your account or you can reset your password by following the directions on page 2 in the guide.
• Enter your county, date of birth and applicator certification number when prompted.

At the end of the registration process, your receipt will be displayed on the screen. Click on “Receipt Notes” and the link to your self-paced course will be available. The link is also provided in your University of Minnesota Confirmation email for future self-paced course access (do not delete). Please check your junk or spam email if you can’t find it.

Trouble registering?

If you have issues registering, do not register again. Some people experience a delay between registering and gaining access to the self-paced course; this issue typically resolves itself by the next business day. Your patience is appreciated.

• For all account and login related issues, please contact the University’s Helpdesk at 612-301-4357.
• For any other questions regarding registration, please contact us at 763-767-3840 or ppathelp@umn.edu. We answer messages Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ready to start or work on your unfinished self-paced course?

To access online courses you have registered for, visit canvas.umn.edu. Log in to Canvas using the email address (Internet ID) and password used for registration.

Getting your temporary certificate

After you have successfully completed the self-paced course, you will be able to view and print your temporary certificate in Canvas to purchase restricted use pesticides before receiving your permanent private pesticide certification card from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Please allow up to 60 days to receive your new card.

Recertification workshops

Registration begins on December 28, 2020.

• Private Pesticide Applicator recertification workshops are held in January and February. 
• Workshops last about three and a half hours.
• You MUST pre-register. 
• Cost: $75, payable by credit card when you register.
• Workshops have been designed by region. If workshops in your region are closed because they are full or the dates do not work with your schedule, select a workshop offered in a different region.

Computer requirements

• Use your own email address to register
  • DO NOT USE someone else’s email address. If you use someone else’s email address the certification won’t be issued in your name and you will need to register, pay, and complete the workshop again to become certified.
  • Registration and live-online workshop information is sent to the email address you enter when you register.
• Access to a reliable and stable internet-connected device such as a desktop computer, laptop or tablet.
  • Your device must have a microphone, speaker, and built-in camera or external webcam.
• Google Chrome internet browser. Free download available.
• Download the registration and recertification guide.
  • Use the step-by-step registration instructions for assistance.
  • Go to the live-online workshop section for important information about your workshop after registration is complete.
  • Get your device Zoom ready. Your device needs to be Zoom ready prior to the date of your workshop. The live-online workshop section will assist you with Zoom installation and testing. Download Zoom.

Click here for workshop dates and to register

• If you think you may already have a University account from a past exam or course registration, please call the University’s Helpdesk at 612-301-4357 to reactivate your account or you can reset your password by following the directions on page 2 in the guide.
• Enter your county, date of birth and applicator certification number when prompted.

Trouble registering?

• For all account and login related issues, please contact the University’s Helpdesk at 612-301-4357.
• For any other questions regarding registration, please contact us at 763-767-3840 or ppathelp@umn.edu. We answer messages Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Be on time

• The Minnesota Department of Agriculture requires workshop participants to attend the entire workshop to receive credit for recertification.
• Anyone who arrives or logs in to the workshop more than 15 minutes late will not receive recertification credit — no exceptions. 

Be prepared

• About 2 to 3 days before your scheduled live-online workshop, you will receive an email with the Zoom link, agenda, handouts, and additional information on how to join the workshop. Do not share this email with other applicators.
• You must join the live-online workshop at the designated time. Be prepared to check-in and show your applicator card to your camera when the Registrar calls your name.
• If you have misplaced your certification card you may get your certification number from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website or call 651-201-6615.

Getting your temporary certificate

A temporary certificate will be emailed to you a few days after the workshop. It can be used as temporary proof of workshop completion for 2021 recertification when purchasing restricted-use pesticides. Please allow up to 60 days to receive your new card from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Live-online workshop policies

• All workshops are limited to 50 participants.
• Registration closes when a workshop is full or on the close date, whichever comes first.
• Only pre-registered attendees will be allowed to attend.
• If you do not attend the entire workshop, you will not receive recertification credit, fee credit, or transfer to another workshop. You must register and pay the fee again. There are no exceptions.
• During the workshop, you will be required to interact with the presentations on your device. All participants must respond to at least 80% of the questions during the workshop to be counted as “present.”

Cancellation/Transfer/Refund Policies

Please note that our cancellation and refund policies have changed. We cannot make exceptions to these policies.

• If you wish to cancel or transfer to another workshop, you must request this change BEFORE the registration deadline (see the specific deadline dates in the Workshop Table).
• Canceling: You must cancel before the registration deadline to receive a partial refund.
  • There is a $30 cancellation fee even if requested prior to the registration deadline.
  • No refunds for cancellations after the registration deadline.
• Transferring: You must transfer to another workshop before the registration deadline of the workshop paid for.
  • There is no fee to transfer to another live-online workshop.
  • No transfers after the registration deadline.
  • You cannot transfer from a Zoom workshop to a Canvas self-paced course or exam (online or mail-in).

You must take the online or mail-in exam if:

• You are a new applicator, and you want to become certified.
• Your license has lapsed, and you are not currently certified through March 1, 2021.
• You missed the live-online workshops and wish to recertify.

The exam is required for initial certification or if your certification has expired. You may also recertify by exam instead of attending a workshop. The exam is 50 questions.

2021 exam deadline

The 2021 online exam will be available in early January.

• Online exam deadline: October 31, 2021. All online exam attempts must be completed by October 31, 2021. The online exam will shut down at midnight on October 31, 2021.
• Mail-in exam deadline: October 31, 2021. It must be mailed and postmarked no later than October 31, 2021. No further exam attempts, including second and third attempts, may be made after October 31, 2021.

Online exam

Computer requirements

• Use your own email address to register
  • DO NOT USE someone else's email address. If you use someone else's email address the certification won't be issued in your name and you will need to register, pay and take the exam again to become certified.
  • Registration information and exam access is sent to the email address you enter when you register.

• Browser
  • To take this exam you must use Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari.
  • The exam will not work with Internet Explorer. Download and use another web browser to access the exam.
    • Download the Google Chrome web browser.
    • Download the Firefox web browser.
    • Safari, which comes with all Apple products, should work as well.

Download the 2021 private applicator registration and recertification guide and follow the steps for registration. The exam has a new look and the guide provides important instructions to help you through the exam process.

Fee

Exam fee is $75, payable by credit card. This fee includes three attempts to pass the exam in one calendar year. Once the fee is paid for the online test, you cannot switch to a mail-in test, recertification live-online workshop, or recertification self-paced course without paying again.

Register for the online exam

• Have your Private Pesticide Applicator License Number ready for registration.
• If you have registered for the online exam in the past, call UMN's 1-Help support line at 612-301-4357 to reactivate your account.

At the end of the registration process, your receipt will be displayed on the screen. Click on “Receipt Notes” and the link to your exam will be available. The link is also provided in your University of Minnesota Confirmation email for future exam access (do not delete the email). Please check your junk or spam email if you can’t find it.

Trouble registering?

If you have issues registering, do not register again. Some people experience a delay between registering and gaining exam access. This issue typically resolves itself by the next business day. Your patience is appreciated.

For all account or login related issues, please contact the University’s helpdesk at 612-301-4357. For any other questions regarding the registration, please contact us at 763-767-3840 or ppathelp@umn.edu. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About the exam

You need an 80 percent score or better to pass the exam.

• If you scored at least 80 percent (40+ points), do not retake the exam. Doing so will cause your certification to not go through properly, and you will not receive your certification.
• You only get three attempts for one calendar year. You will need to wait until next year to try again if you fail the exam three times.
• When you make a second or third attempt to pass the exam, you will not see how you answered the questions in previous exam attempts.
• Review the manual and answer questions based on the manual.
• The exam will automatically save your answers to each question. There is no “Save” button in the exam.

If you have any questions about making a second or third attempt on the exam please email ppathelp@umn.edu.

Need to retake or work on your unfinished exam? Log in to Canvas using the Internet ID (your email address) and password you used during registration to make a second or third attempt on the exam or to work on an unfinished exam.

Getting your temporary certificate

After you have successfully completed the exam, you will be able to view and print your temporary certificate in Canvas. The certificate can be used to purchase restricted use pesticides before receiving your permanent private pesticide certification card from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Please allow up to 60 days to receive your new card.

Mail-in exam

Mail-in test packets are available from most local county Extension offices. Please call ahead to check supplies and office hours. Mail-in tests must be received before October 31, 2021.

19th Edition Private Pesticide Applicator Study Manual

The 19th edition is the study manual to use to prepare for the exam. Ensure the study manual you use says “19th edition.” Older versions of the manuals do not include all topics and materials covered by the exam. You may download the manual for free or purchase printed copies.

Download the manual chapters

• Introduction and table of contents
• 1. Integrated pest management
• 2. Pesticide laws
• 3. The pesticide label
• 4. Pesticide formulations
• 5. Protecting the environment
• 6. Health and safety
• 7. Safe handling: the application process
• 8. Personal protective equipment
• 9. Pesticide application procedures and equipment
• Appendix A: Pesticide toxicities
• Appendix B: Glossary
• Appendix C: Conversions and calculations

Purchase a printed manual

Printed study manuals are available at

• University of Minnesota Bookstores.
  • To purchase in store, please call ahead to the Coffman Memorial Union Bookstore or St. Paul Student Center Bookstore to be sure the study manual is in stock.
  • Order online with credit card.
  • Call 612-301-3989 to place your order with credit card.
• Download an order form to mail your order.
• Purchase at your local county Extension offices (call ahead to ensure availability).

Fumigation manuals

• For private soil fumigation endorsement purchase the new soil fumigation manual (Category O) from the U of M Bookstores.
• For the private stored grain and fumigation endorsement purchase stored grain and fumigation manual (Category N) from the U of M Bookstores.

Dicamba training

In order to comply with Minnesota Pesticide Control Law, Minnesota certified applicators must complete special product label-required training for the following dicamba products:

• XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology by Bayer (EPA Reg. No. 264-1210)
• Engenia by BASF (EPA Reg. No. 7969-472)
• Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology by Syngenta (EPA Reg. No. 352-913)

For more information:

• Minnesota Department of Agriculture information on dicamba.
• Current dicamba label-required training opportunities are listed with the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers.

Paraquat dichloride training

See the EPA website for information on paraquat dichloride training.

Many pesticide products on the market require a respirator for safe use. In order to safely wear a respirator and comply with the Worker Protection Standard, you must be medically cleared and fit tested. Check with your local clinic about both of these procedures. If your clinic does not offer these services, the following options are available: 

Online medical clearance options

• Resptest
• 3M Online Respirator Medical Evaluation
• Respclearance.com

Fit testing

The map below shows places around the state that offer fit testing. Some are small businesses, others include clinics and co-ops. Some of these fit testing sites require you to bring a respirator and others have samples to try. Click on each site on the map for details. 

Learn more about respirators

• Four steps to choosing the right respirator and wearing it safely

• Respiratory Protection for Occupational Users of Pesticides - Rutgers
• Pesticide Worker Protection Standard “How to Comply” Manual - EPA
• WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers - Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative