BURLINGTON – University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets have scheduled training sessions at two locations for pesticide applicator initial certification.
A review session will be offered, beginning at 9 a.m., with the required written examination from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dates and venues are April 18 at the Fireside Inn and Suites, 25 Airport Road, West Lebanon, N.H., and April 20 at the Robert Miller Community Center, 130 Gosse Court, Burlington.
Anyone in Vermont who uses, supervises, recommends or sells pesticides and/or trains Worker Protection Standard handlers and workers is required by law to pass the written exam to become certified. The exam is based on the “Northeast Pesticide Applicator Core Manual” (third edition), which covers state and federal pesticide laws and regulations, ecology and environmental considerations, pest identification and management, pesticide formulations, equipment calibration, protective equipment, personal safety and proper handling of pesticides, among other topics.
Manuals and required inserts (pdf downloads) cost $43 and must be obtained in advance in order to study for the exam. These can be ordered online from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture at //bit.ly/2QvR7MT.
After passing the core exam for initial certification, anyone requiring commercial or non-commercial certification is required to take additional exams for specific categories. These may be scheduled for a later date through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture by calling (802) 461-6118.
Preregistration is required. The $40 registration fee increases to $50 after April 1. No walk-ins will be allowed. Licensed pesticide applicators also may attend to receive four Vermont recertification credits but do not need to take the exam.
To register, go to //go.uvm.edu/core23. To request a disability-related accommodation, contact UVM Student Accessibility Services at [email protected] or (802) 656-7753..
For more information about the pesticide applicator program, visit uvm.edu/extension/psep or contact Sarah Kingsley-Richards at (802) 656-0475 or [email protected].
