Wisconsin has partnered with Pearson Vue to give you more access to the certification exam!
Pearson Vue is a private testing company that does testing for many different groups. They offer an official online proctored test (for 5-year pesticide certification in Wisconsin). If you have the proper equipment, you can take the test online from anywhere. Or, Pearson Vue has over 50 testing centers in Wisconsin you can take the test at. In another state? Don’t worry, take the Wisconsin test anywhere in the U.S. online or at a Pearson Vue testing center in that state. Get your results immediately and your credentials within 3 days of testing! Pearson Vue charges $45 per test. DATCP still offers the exam at their testing centers at no charge. The Private Applicator General Farming exam is also available through Pearson Vue.
To create a Pearson Vue account or sign into your account or find a testing center in your area
Information and Instructions about Pearson Vue tests
To schedule a test with DATCP
The Difference Between Certification and Licensing: They are not the same.
12/22/2021: UPDATE
- 2022 Price increase: If you have mail order forms, please download the new one after Jan 1st. If you send an old form with the old price, you will be asked to send the difference before the order is processed. – Details
- When taking the in-person exam you have to provide your Training Registration Certificate (example to the left) to the Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s (DATCP) test proctor to have your certification processed. If you purchased a printed manual, the certificate is folded and taped just inside the cover of the manual. If you purchase a PDF manual or online course, then you will receive it via email.
- In 2022 we will be transitioning to an “E-ticket” system. When you purchase training materials you will receive an “E-ticket” with your PAT number. Just like going to a movie or sporting event, you will then present this (on your phone or printed out) to the DATCP test proctor at the time of taking the test.
- Private Applicators will have the option to do online training. You must pay the training fee with materials of $30.00 either at your County Extension Office or at the UW PAT Store. The online training is not mandatory, you are welcome to self-study and test only. Online training will be available at no cost provided you have purchased the manual. You can take the training anytime on your home computer or other digital device. Once start, you have 7 days to complete the training. Save the email with link to return to the training in those 7 days. For those that can’t take advantage of online training, please contact your County Extension Office to see if they are offering in-person training, also please see the Events link above.
For questions about certification, licensing, testing (in-person), regulations and pesticide laws please contact DATCP at datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov.
If you have questions about training materials and online access to a course, please contact the UW PAT Program at patprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu.
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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.
Ready to order?
Click either of the links below.
PLEASE BE AWARE
Training Registration Certificates (TRC): If you ordered a printed manual, your TRC is folded and placed between the front cover and the first page of your manual. If you order a PDF or online course, we email your TRC to you. DO NOT lose this certificate. You must bring this page with you when you take your certification exam. The exam proctor from the DATCP will collect it. Your exam will not be processed without the certificate. 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, at training/review sessions or through Pearson Vue testing. 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.
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.
Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm – Monday to Friday
Mailing address:
PAT Program
1575 Linden Dr
Madison WI 53706-1597
email: PATprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu
Phone: 608-262-7588
People
Glenn Nice
PAT Program Manager, gnice@wisc.edu or 608-263-6358
Steve Tomasko
PAT 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:
DATCP
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).
