Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.
Structural applicators
The 2021 Minnesota Structural Pest Management Conference will be held online. Access to the conference materials will require a laptop or desktop computer or a tablet running a standard web browser application.
The in-person conference will not take place this year. Please check back here for more details and registration information.
For questions, contact:
- Allison Forcier, Forcier event solutions, allison.forcier@forcierevents.com, 612-910-1580
- Stephen Kells, kells002@umn.edu, 612-625-4798
The Fall 2021 Stored Grain conference is planned to be in-person. Check back in March 2021 for updates.
Recertification workshops
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 2021 Minnesota Structural Pest Management Conference will be held online as a “study on your own” program. The program will be offered between March and June, with registration starting in February. Check back in January 2021 for more details.
We may continue to offer an online “study on your own” option for the included categories, subject to approval from MDA.
This conference supports other categories if you participate in the main SPCA program. Other categories are required every other year and are available on this schedule:
- Even years: Category L (Mosquito, Biting Flies and Ticks)
- Odd Years: Categories J (Right of Way), P (Vertebrate Pests), and E (Turf and Ornamentals)
- Every year: Fumigation Endorsement
In a regular year, the in-person Minnesota Structural Pest Management Conference typically occurs on the first Monday and Tuesday of March. Check back to confirm the dates for 2022.
People licensed as a Journeyman or Master Structural Pest Control Applicator (SPCA) must attend an MDA approved recertification training and renew their license on an annual basis.
SPCA Journeyman upcoming workshops
There are no upcoming workshops at this time.
People licensed as a Journeyman or Master Structural Pest Control Applicator (SPCA) must attend an MDA approved recertification training and renew their license on an annual basis.
SPCA Master upcoming workshops
There are no upcoming workshops at this time.
SPCA Masters and Journeyman license holders, who also have a Fumigation Endorsement may recertify this endorsement during the annual Minnesota Structural Pest Management Conference.
The fumigation endorsement has an every-other-year recertification requirement, but the program is offered annually as an add-on program to the main conference.
SPCA Fumigation upcoming workshops
There are no upcoming workshops at this time.
People licensed as a Category S (noncommercial) Applicator must attend an MDA approved recertification training and renew their license on an annual basis.
Category S upcoming workshops
There are no upcoming workshops at this time.
People licensed as a Category M (noncommercial) Applicator must attend an MDA approved recertification training and renew their license every-other-year.
Category M upcoming workshops
Category M is offered in conjunction with the Minnesota Structural Pest Management Conference offered in March of each year.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 2021 Minnesota Structural Pest Management Conference will be held online as a “study on your own” program. The course will be offered between March and June, with registration starting in February. Check back in January 2021 for more details.
In odd years, Categories M and N are offered in September, usually in St. Cloud, Minn., and co-hosted with the Minnesota Feed and Grain Association. This program is directed more towards grain handling and grain elevator facilities.
There are no upcoming workshops at this time.
People licensed as a Category N (noncommercial) Applicator must attend an MDA approved recertification training and renew their license every-other-year.
Category N upcoming workshops
Category M is offered in conjunction with the Minnesota Structural Pest Management Conference offered in March of each year.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 2021 Minnesota Structural Pest Management Conference will be held online as a “study on your own” program. The course will be offered between March and June, with registration starting in February. Check back in January 2021 for more details.
In odd years, Categories M and N are offered in September, usually in St. Cloud, Minn., and co-hosted with the Minnesota Feed and Grain Association. This program is directed more towards grain handling and grain elevator facilities.
There are no upcoming workshops at this time.
Certification resources
To check your certification status, go to the MDA licensing search page.
Learn more about pesticide applicator workshop and retesting recertification requirements from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), including license types, certification categories, deadlines and fees.
Certification exams are one of the requirements to get an initial license. Learn more about exams from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Make sure you have the current manual for each category exam. Using an out-of-date manual may affect your ability to pass the exam.
New releases and editions
- Category L: Mosquito, Black fly, and Tick Pest Control, 2nd edition, July 2020
- Category M: Food Processing Pest Management and Category S: Structural Pest Control Applicator (SPCA), January 2020
- Category SPCA: Structural Pest Control Applicator For Master & Journeyman Applicators, January 2020
Category A: Core exam is based on two manuals
- (A-1) National Pesticide Applicator Core Manual, 2nd edition, 2014
- (A-2) Core Minnesota Supplement, 2nd edition (green cover), December 2012 (commercial, noncommercial and structural)
Most recent editions of commercial, noncommercial or structural manuals
- Category C: Agricultural Field Crops, March 2016
- Category E: Turf and Ornamentals, 4th edition, June 2014
- Category F: Aquatics, March 2016
- Category J: Natural Areas, Forestry and Rights-of-Way, 2nd edition, November 2016
- Category N: Stored Grain and Fumigation, January 2013 (commercial, noncommercial, structural and private applicators)
- Category O: Soil Fumigation, December 2012 (commercial, noncommercial and private applicators)
- Category P: Vertebrate Pests, 2nd edition, November 2016
Purchase printed manuals
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 manuals you want are in stock.
- Order online with a credit card.
- Call 612-301-3989 to place your order and pay by check.
- Download an order form to mail your order.
Contact
Commercial/noncommercial pesticide program
Jolene C. Hendrix, Extension educator and program manager
jhendrix@umn.edu
763-767-3842
Structural, stored grain and fumigation, and food processing certification
Stephen Kells, co-coordinator and Extension entomologist
kells002@umn.edu
612-625-4798
Workshop registration assistance
Mary Ferguson, operations manager
m-ferg@umn.edu
763-767-3841
Minnesota licensing
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 651-201-6615 or pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us (email is preferred).