Contact: Glenn Nice, 608-263-6358, gnice@wisc.edu
The University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Program has created multiple formats for private applicator trainings to address increased training demand.
Due to the pandemic, certification for private pesticide applicators was delayed, resulting in many people needing to be trained and tested in 2022. The UW PAT Program is encouraging private applicators to utilize UW PAT’s virtual and online training options to make efficient use of limited staff resources.
A Private Applicator Certification is valid for 5 years. There are three steps toward certification: purchasing the training manual, training and taking the test.
Purchasing the manual
The training fee with manual covers the five-year certification as well as access to online training. There may be additional fees associated with in-person training sessions. The manual is available for purchase online at the UW Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Program store www.patstore.wisc.edu/secure/default.asp. The training fee with manual can be also ordered by mail using a check. Please contact the UW PAT Program for a mail order form.
Manuals will also be sold at most UW-Madison Division of Extension County offices in 2022. Please contact your local county Extension office https://counties.extension.wisc.edu/ to confirm that your location is selling the manual.
Training options
There are four training options: self-study of the manual, Zoom webinar, self-paced online, and in-person training.
The self-study option allows private applicators to study the manual on their own and schedule a test when they feel they are ready. This option requires a 70% passing grade on the exam.
The online training can be done as either a Zoom webinar or a self-paced course. The self-paced course must be completed within 7 days of starting the online course. There is no additional charge for these training options in 2022, however, registration is required. Please register at the UW PAT store www.patstore.wisc.edu/secure/default.asp. After taking either online option, participants still need to schedule a time to take the exam. For both the online training and in-person training, a passing grade of 50% is required.
In-person trainings will be available, but with limited seating and availability due to staffing limitations. Registration will be required. Please visit the Extension events calendar at https://extension.wisc.edu/events/ or contact your Extension County office or the UW PAT Program for details. In-person training will include the test.
Testing options
Testing for those that did self-study, online course or Zoom webinar will be available in most UW-Madison Division of Extension County offices in 2022. Please contact your Extension County office https://counties.extension.wisc.edu/ to schedule a testing time. If your county is not offering the test, contact a neighboring county to make an appointment.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has partnered with the private testing company Pearson Vue to offer an online test. This option requires a video camera, microphone, and internet connection. Pearson Vue also has several brick-and-mortar testing sites in the state of Wisconsin. Pearson Vue charges $45 per test; your results will be provided at the end of the test. Credentials will then be sent by email within 1-3 days of completing the test. This option still requires the purchase of the manual.
A private applicator is someone that applies restricted use pesticides to produce an agricultural commodity on their own property or the property owned or rented by an employer. Examples of agricultural commodities are grain and forage crops, fruit crops or horticulture products. A restricted use pesticide can be identified by checking the label of the product you wish to use.
To contact the UW PAT program please email patprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu or call 608-262-7588.
To register for an online training course or Zoom webinar visit https://go.wisc.edu/greo5e.
To find a training in your area visit https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/pat/events/.
