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. 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 offered in January and February.
2. Self-paced Canvas course, similar to the Zoom webinar but completed online at your own pace, January through February.
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. The manual is also available to download for free.

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

2021 exam deadline

• 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 retake the exam to become certified.
  • Registration information and exam access are sent to the email address you use 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

$75, payable by credit card

The fee includes three attempts to pass the exam in one calendar year. Once you pay for the online exam, you cannot switch to any other exam or 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. If you do, you will not receive your certification.
• You can take the exam three times in one calendar year. If you fail the exam three times, try again next year.
• Review the study 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.
• You will not see how you answered the questions in previous exam attempts.

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. Make sure 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 a credit card.
  • Call 612-301-3989 to place your order with a credit card.
• Download an order form to mail your order.
• Purchase at your local county Extension office (call ahead to make sure they have them).

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.

This option is no longer available for 2021 recertification.

To certify or recertify, you must take the exam.

Course completion deadline

To receive recertification credit, the deadline to complete 100% of the online self-paced course was 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2021. The self-paced course is now closed and you no longer have access to it.

Getting your temporary certificate

After you have successfully completed the self-paced course, please allow up to 60 days to receive your new card.

This option is no longer available for 2021 recertification.

To certify or recertify, you must take the exam.

Recertification workshops

Private Pesticide Applicator recertification workshops are held in January and February. 

Getting your temporary certificate

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

There are no exceptions to these policies.

• If you wish to cancel or transfer to another workshop, you must request this change BEFORE the registration deadline.
• 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 you 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). Or vice versa.

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. 100-1623)

For more information:

• Minnesota Department of Agriculture information on dicamba
• Current dicamba label-required training opportunities 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