Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture requires that farmers have a Private Pesticide Applicator Certification if you: Apply pesticides to land or sites you own, rent or lease for the production of agricultural commodities, plan to use Restricted Use Pesticides, Reside in the state of Minnesota, and your current certification expires in 2019. The certification lasts for 3 years and then farmers must be recertified by attending a workshop.

The workshops are put on by University of Minnesota Extension educators under the direction of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Farmers can complete a home study course and take the test on line or attend one of the workshops. If you are there for the whole workshop you do not have to take the test. If your current certification has expired or you never had one you must take the test. The cost of the workshop and a 3 year certification is $75.

Be sure to bring your checkbook because the University of Minnesota Extension service cannot accept cash or credit cards. You will also need an official photo identification card like a drivers license or passport. For a list of all the workshop dates, times and locations go to the web site: www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides.