Private pesticide applicators

Certification lasts for three years. To check your certification number, status and expiration date, go to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Private Pesticide Applicator Search page. Or call the MDA at 651-201-6633.

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. You also can complete the exam online.

How to 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 workshop offered in January and February.
2. Self-paced Canvas course to be completed online at your own pace in January through February. Check back here in December for a link to register.
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.

2022 exam deadline

• Online exam deadline: midnight, October 31, 2022. All online exam attempts must be completed before the system closes on this deadline.
• Mail-in exam deadline: October 31, 2022. All exams, including second and third attempts, must be mailed and postmarked by this date. No exceptions.

Online exam 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.

• You must use Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari.
  • Download the Google Chrome web browser.
  • Download the Firefox web browser.
  • Safari, which comes with all Apple products, should work as well.
  • The exam will not work with Internet Explorer.

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

• Watch our videos under Registration Help and reset your UMN guest account before starting your registration.
• Have your Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Number ready for registration. If you have misplaced your certification card you may get your certification number from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website or call 651-201-6633.
• Review our cancellation, transfer, and refund policies. 

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.

Register for the exam here

Need help?

• 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.
• Need more help? See the private pesticide applicator online exam guide for instructions on how to take the exam.

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?

To access the 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 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, 2022.

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 by chapter

• 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

• 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.
  • 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 the Stored grain and fumigation manual (Category N) from the U of M Bookstores.

Please read carefully. There are no exceptions to these policies.

1. When you register, you must use the name and contact information, including email address, for the APPLICATOR RECEIVING credit.
2. To transfer to a different workshop, you must request this change BEFORE the registration deadline.
3. To cancel your registration, you must cancel before the registration deadline to receive a partial refund. There is a $30 cancellation fee, even if requested before the registration deadline.
4. There is no refund if you cancel after the registration deadline.

Setting up and maintaining an existing guest account when registering can be confusing. Before registering for a course, we encourage you to use the references below to help you.

Password and Guest Account how-to video:

Registration step-by-step how-to video:

Or download the step-by-step registration guide.

For all login and guest account-related questions, please call the University of Minnesota Technology Help Desk at 612-301-4357.

Questions about private applicator workshops or exam content

Tana Haugen-Brown, Extension educator and co-coordinator
thbrown@umn.edu
763-260-4423

Questions about mail-in and online exams

ppathelp@umn.edu
763-767-3840

Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education
550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW
Bunker Hills Activity Center, L-1
Andover, MN 55304

Weather cancelations

Wondering if a private applicator workshop is still on? Contact the Farm Information Line.
1-800-232-9077 or fil@umn.edu.