———- COVID-19 RESPONSES ———-
07/23/2020: UPDATE
- In-person certification testing is presently suspended. Online exams are available in the categories listed below. Please be aware that you have 100 days to take the online test starting from the day your receive your PAT NUMBER.
- Printed manuals are available for shipping and new mail-in orders will be processed.
- Checks received during COVID restrictions more than 30-days old will be returned to address of origin with VOID written across them. Checks less than 30-days old will be assessed to identify if alternative orders were made.
- If you have a temporary certification number (number-T) you will be able to use that number to take the in-person exam once DATCP is providing it. There will be no charge.
04/02/2020: Certification Extension:
If your certification expires January 31-September 30, 2020. DATCP has extended your certification until October 31, 2020. You can continue to operate as a certified applicator until October 31. DATCP has an informative fact sheet about this and other certification issues.
04/02/2020: Online Temporary Certification Exams:
Temporary Certification Online Testing is available for some categories (more information here). Currently categories available for online testing are:
- Field & Vegetable Crops (1.1)
- Structural Pest Control (7.1)
- Forestry (2.0)
- Right of Way & Natural Areas (6.0)
- Turf & Landscape (3.0)
- Aquatic & Mosquito (5.0)
- Aerial Application (9.9)
The certification exam is not in the online course. When you purchase the PDF manual or the online course you will be granted access to the exam separately. You will have to set up a UW account to get access to the test (see video below).
If you have previously purchased training materials and need access to an online temporary certification exam, please contact the UW-PAT program and we will enroll you. Please email your 6-digit PAT number (found on your Certification Registration Form), First name, Last name, email address (of the applicator) to PATprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu. To get access to the exam EACH applicator MUST have their own email address. Thank you.
Here is a “How to” video that DATCP made that may help you with this process.
03/22/2020: For questions about certification, licensing, testing, regulations and pesticide laws please contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov. If you have questions about training materials and test access please contact the UW PAT Program at patprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu.
03/17/2020: The UW PAT program is not going to have access to the its supply of printed manuals. This means we are not going to be able to ship any printed manuals until further notice. You will be able to use your electronic version of the certificate that will be emailed to the email address you have provided. DATCP will take this at time of testing. Although please note, as noted above, certification testing has been suspended. PDFs of the manuals and online courses (some categories) will be available with training fee.
Please be advised that pdf delivery is not automated. Your order will be processed. We aim to process orders the same day they are received (if received before 4 p.m.).
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What is the PAT Program?
The University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Program develops and provides educational material to help you become certified to apply pesticides in Wisconsin. In order to become certified, you must pay a certification fee to obtain some of these educational materials. You can learn more about the certification process on the “Certification” page.
Before ordering, you should determine whether you are a “commercial” or “private” applicator, because your options are different for each. You can find out the difference between commercial and private applicators by clicking on the “certification” or the “ordering materials” menu link above.
There are many different categories you can get certified in (list of categories here). With your certification fee, you can choose to get a printed manual, a PDF manual, or an online course (for some categories only). Don’t know which to choose? Check out this podcast for an introduction to these choices: What Should I Order?
Having trouble navigating through our online ordering process? Here’s a podcast that explains how to do it.
After you have studied the training material, you will have to take and pass a certification exam to become certified. Note: The UW PAT program does NOT write or process the certification exam. The UW PAT Program does not have access to your test score. The following is a link to DATCP’s exam scheduling site (which also shows the testing centers around the state: Online Pesticide Exam Scheduling.
Ready to order?
Click either of the links below.
PLEASE BE AWARE
Training Registration Certificates for commercial applicators are folded and placed between the front cover and the first page of your manual. DO NOT lose this certificate. You must bring this page with you when you take your certification exam. The exam proctor from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will collect it. Your exam will not be processed without the certificate. Manuals will no longer have this certificate as a tear out page as it was in the past. If you lose this form there is a $10 fee to replace it.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Role in Certification
DATCP enforces the pesticide laws in Wisconsin. DATCP also writes and administers the certification exams and grants certification. DATCP also issues individual pesticide applicator and pesticide application business licenses in the state. Note: The UW PAT program does NOT write or administer the certification exam. Also, the exam is NOT given at the UW-Madison campus. Exams are given ONLY at DATCP test-only facilities or at training/review sessions. DATCP provides the test location on the receipt you get when you schedule an exam. You need to contact DATCP (see below) for any questions dealing with scheduling an exam, exam results or any other exam-related questions. Following is a link to DATCP’s exam scheduling site (which also shows the testing centers around the state: Online Pesticide Exam Scheduling
Contacts
Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT)
Contact PAT for questions about getting training materials, signing up for live review sessions, or any questions or comments you have about our training material.
Mailing address:
Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm – Monday to Friday
PAT Program
1575 Linden Dr
Madison WI 53706-1597
Program email: PATprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu
Program phone: 608-262-7588
People
Glenn Nice
PAT Program Manager, gnice@wisc.edu or 608-263-6358
Steve Tomasko
PAT Senior Outreach Specialist, stomasko@wisc.edu or 608-265-4315
Jean Siewert
PAT Program Office Support Staff, jean.siewert@wisc.edu or 608-262-7588
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Contact DATCP for questions about certification, licensing, scheduling an exam, exam scores, or issues of pesticide regulations.
General mailing address:
Department of Agriculture
2811 Agriculture Dr.
Madison WI 53708
Pesticide Certification & Licensing program
Phone: 608-224-4548
Website: Bureau of Agrichemical Management
Email: datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov for questions regarding Pesticide Certification and Licensing
Exam scheduling website: Scheduling an Exam
Email: datcpcertexam@wi.gov if you need to schedule an exam or cancel one that you have scheduled (if not using the online exam scheduling site in the link above).
