Pesticide Safety and Training

Pesticide Safety and Training

The University of Maryland Pesticide Safety and Training program was created to assist agricultural producers and businesses with timely information regarding pesticide use and recommendations. Farms use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment.

Maryland pesticide applicators are licensed through the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) as:

1.  Private Pesticide Applicators or;
   1. Private Applicator Certification - An optional training is offered in-person or virtually on a regular basis. You can contact your local extension office to get the dates. An online class is available by going to https://umeagfs.teachable.com/
   2. Private Applicator Exam - Exams are offered in counties through the winter months or when there are a number of individuals interested an exam can be scheduled. Contact your Extension office for dates. The Department of Agriculture in Annapolis has testing on a monthly basis.
2. Commercial Pesticide Applicators
   1. Commercial Applicators - Commercial applicators should contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture for information regarding examinations and licensing. This certification requires an annual update for credit hours. Some UME classes are approved for commercial credits.

Pesticide Private Applicator Recertification Options

University of Maryland Extension (UME) has created a number of options for Maryland Private Pesticide Applicators to receive their recertification credits. Private Applicators are required to have a recertification training session during the last year of their current three-year certification period. Recertification training provides applicators with new information on pest control, health and environmental safety, pest management technology, and changes in pesticide laws and regulations to help the applicator continue to use pesticides safely and effectively. The training must consist of a minimum of 4 credits (1 credit is equal to ½ hour of training), which is the equivalent of two hours of pest or pesticide-related topics as determined by MDA and UME. MDA will update each private applicator's training records whenever you attend an approved course. License renewal notices are issued by MDA via email in late November to applicators that have satisfied the training requirements and whose private applicator certificates are about to expire.

The following are approved methods for receiving pesticide credits through UME:

• OPTION 1
  You can attend in-person trainings which are scheduled throughout the year to receive your credits. To get more information about course offerings and registration, you can contact your local Extension office. You can also check for updates in our Extension newsletters, like Maryland Agronomy News and Fruit and Vegetable News. Additionally, you can visit our Pesticide Certifications web page or check our University of Maryland Extension events calendar.
   
• OPTION 2
  Enroll in a self-paced online class through our University of Maryland Extension School. Online recertification is available at https://umeagfs.teachable.com. Be sure to complete, the survey form that will provide your contact information and pesticide license information. You will then be directed to the video series. These are best watched on a tablet or laptop as there are questions embedded in each video that you must answer.
   
• OPTION 3
  Request a paper workbook to be mailed to you. Topics covered in this workbook are Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) approved and are equivalent to two hours of in-person training needed every three years to renew your private applicator’s license. This workbook is also approved for three (3) Delaware credits and two (2) Pennsylvania core credits. Upon completion of the workbook, the applicator will answer a 30-question quiz and mail it back to the Baltimore County Extension Office. Upon receipt, we will grade the quizzes no later than the end of the month in which they were received. To receive pesticide recertification credits, the applicator must score at least 70 percent on the 30-question quiz (21/30 correct). Once the applicator passes, the applicator will receive confirmation in the mail and their information will be submitted to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. To order your workbook, please call your local Extension office or complete the online request form: https://go.umd.edu/pesticideworkbook.

*Remember that all renewals are done online. MDA will not be mailing pesticide renewals unless specifically requested from MDA. You will not have renewed your license until you complete the renewal forms and pay MDA $7. https://egov.maryland.gov/mda/pesticides. Online tutorials on how to renew your license and print your license are available on our YouTube channel.

Private Pesticide Optional Exam Training

This is an optional training to prepare for the Private Pesticide Applicator exam. It is an optional training that includes a review of the Core Manual (PDF).

Study manuals can be found online on the Maryland Department of Agriculture's website: MD Core Manual or obtained from your county Extension Office for a Fee.

Exam

This exam is for those who wish to obtain a pesticide private applicator license. There is an optional training which includes a review of the Core Manual (PDF).

Study manuals can be found online on the Maryland Department of Agriculture's website: MD Core Manual (PDF) or obtained from your county Extension Office for a Fee.

Recertification

This training will meet the requirements for the Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Private Applicator ReCertification Credits

Licensing

Pesticide Education and Safety

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