Pesticide Training & Testing

Discussion Topics

Any person handling, applying or supervising the use of pesticides as part of that person’s job must be certified and licensed by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.  Non-commercial pesticide applicators must complete 12 hours of training over a three-year period to remain certified.  Our workshops offer four hours of continuing education training.

For the 2010-2011 training season, the Technology Transfer Program will be offering training and testing for Categories 3, 5 and 6; as well as continuing education for Categories 3, 5, 6 & 18.  Listed below are workshop and category descriptions.

Category 3, 5, 6 and 18 Continuing Education Training

This workshop is for those individuals who are currently licensed and who need continuing education credit in order to keep their applicator’s license. 

This workshop provides three general hours and one specific hour for each of the four categories (3, 5, 6 and 18), for a total of seven hours of training if the individual holds certification in all four categories.  If certification is only in one category, individual will receive four hours (three general and one specific in the category); if certification is held in two categories, individuals will receive five hours (three general and one specific in each of two).

Category 3, 5, and 6 Training and Testing

To prepare workers to take the certification exam, we provide six hours of instruction, and at the completion of the training, the Department of Agriculture administers the exam. With the instruction fresh in their minds, 90 percent of the workers pass the exam the first time. 

Category 3: Ornamental and Lawn Care

Category 3 licensing and certification is required for persons handling, using or supervising the use of pesticides or fertilizers for insect, weed, and/or disease control in residential and commercial landscapes and lawns.

Category 5: Aquatic Pest Control

Category 5 licensing and certification is required for persons applying or supervising the application of any pesticide purposefully applied to standing or running water, excluding applicators engaged in public health-related activities.

Category 6: Right-of-Way Pest Control

Category 6 licensing and certification is required for persons handling, using or supervising the use of pesticides in the maintenance of public roads, electric power lines, pipelines, railway right-of-ways, or similar areas.  This is the certification most often required of state and local government highway workers.  To prepare participants to take the certification exam, we provide six hours of instruction. Immediately following the completion of the training, the Department of Agriculture administers the exam. 

Category 18: Turf or Ornamental (Golf Course) 

Category 18 licensing and certification is required for persons who apply pesticides or fertilizer to land on which turf and ornamental care is done for the purpose of preparing the land for use in the game of golf. 

We do not provide certification testing for Category 18.  It is assumed individuals attending the continuing education training already have certification in these areas or do not need such certification.  If you need certification in Category 18, please contact the Department of Agriculture directly at 502-573-0282 or visit their website for testing locations: http://www.kyagr.com/consumer/envsvs/testing/schedule.htm.

• $120 for one Category ($25 of this fee pays for certification)
• $130 for two Categories ($25 of this fee pays for certification)
• $140 for three Categories ($25 of this fee pays for certification)
• $99 Pesticide Continued Training

Fee includes all materials, refreshments, and lunch. NOTE: Payment is required in advance, except employees of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

To reduce overtime and travel during this time of budget restrictions, course times have been set as follows: The on-site registration desk opens and sign-in begins 30 minutes prior to the scheduled class start time. Most classes begin at 8:00 a.m. or 8:30 a.m., and adjourn between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. You will receive exact times through your confirmation letter two weeks prior to the course. Download Pesticide Training Manual

To help a participant get the most out of each training course/workshop, attendance is limited. However, without the required minimum of 15 people, a course will be cancelled. All courses are subject to change. If there are any changes, the registered party will be notified immediately. Click on the course descriptions listed above to register. NOTE: State employees wishing to register for a Pesticide Training & Testing course should contact their District Training Coordinators. All state registrations must come to us from the Training Coordinators.

If you are registered and cannot attend, please let us know at least two business days prior to the workshop. If we do not receive advance notice of your cancellation, you will be charged the full registration fee. Someone may substitute for you at any time. All cancellations will be given a cancellation number.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To receive credit for any of the Center’s training sessions, you must be present during the entire class. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, leave more than 15 minutes early or miss more than 15 minutes of the session, you will not receive credit for the course.