Are You Certified to Apply Pesticides in 2026?

The Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Program is preparing for the 2026 training season. Training opportunities will be offered in multiple formats for both Commercial Pesticide Applicators and Private Pesticide Applicators.

Check your certification expiration date to ensure you are legally certified to apply pesticides in Wisconsin in 2026.

You can find your certification expiration date on your physical certification card or through the Wisconsin DATCP Applicator Database ↗️ by searching for your last name.

Certification and Recertification Process

Commercial Pesticide Applicators

There are four different paths to certification for Commercial Pesticide Applicators depending on your training choice:

Independently study the training manual
1. Purchase a training manual from the PAT Store* ↗️.
2. Independently study the training manual.
3. Schedule a Certification Exam with DATCP ↗️.
Self-paced online training course
1. Purchase access to the Self-paced online training course (training manual included*) from the PAT Store ↗️.
2. Complete the Self-paced online training course within 6 months.
3. Schedule a Certification Exam with DATCP ↗️.
Regionally-hosted Zoom training session
1. Purchase a training manual from the PAT Store* ↗️.
2. Register for a Regionally-hosted Zoom training session.
3. Attend the Regionally-hosted Zoom training session.
4. Schedule a Certification Exam with DATCP ↗️.
In-person training session §
1. Purchase a training manual from the PAT Store* ↗️.
2. Register for an In-person training session.
3. Attend the In-person training session.
4. Certification Exam is offered on-location upon completion of the In-person training session.

* Your training manual includes a unique PAT number.
Your unique PAT number is required to take the certification exam.
Unique PAT numbers are only available by purchasing a training manual or purchasing access to the Self-paced online training course.

§ Commercial Pesticide Applicator In-person training sessions are offered for select certification categories and in various locations across the state.

Private Pesticide Applicators

There are four different paths to certification for Private Pesticide Applicators depending on your training choice:

Independently study of the training manual
1. Purchase a training manual from the PAT Store* ↗️.
2. Independently study the training manual.
3. Schedule a Certification Exam with a participating Extension County office ↗️.
Self-paced online training course
1. Purchase access to the Self-paced online training course (training manual* included) from the PAT Store ↗️.
2. Complete the Self-paced online training course within 6 months.
  NOTE: After completion of the Self-paced online training course, you will only need a score of 50% to pass the Certification Exam.
3. Schedule a Certification Exam with a participating Extension County office ↗️.
Regionally-hosted Zoom training session†
1. Purchase a training manual from the PAT Store* ↗️.
2. Register for a Regionally-hosted Zoom training session.
3. Attend the Regionally-hosted Zoom training session.
  NOTE: After completing the Regionally-hosted Zoom training session, you will only need a score of 50% to pass the Certification Exam.
4. Certification Exam is offered on-location upon completion of the Regionally-hosted Zoom training session.
In-person training session‡
1. Purchase a training manual from the PAT Store* ↗️.
2. Register for an In-person training session.
3. Attend the In-person training session.
  NOTE: After completing the In-person training session, you will only need a score of 50% to pass the Certification Exam.
4. Certification Exam is offered on-location upon completion of the In-person training session.

† Private Pesticide Applicator Regionally-hosted Zoom training sessions are a collaborative effort with local Extension Educators who select an in-person location for participants to watch a live viewing of the training. Seating capacity varies by location.

‡ Private Pesticide Applicator In-person training sessions are offered in various locations across the state.

At-home Certification Exam option

DATCP has partnered with Pearson Vue to offer a computer-based Certification Exam option for applicants who prefer to complete the Exam from home, office, or at a Pearson Vue exam location. Results are provided at the end of the exam.

This option is open to all Commercial Pesticide Applicators and Private Pesticide Applicators. This Exam option is available for a $45 fee.

Learn more at https://home.pearsonvue.com/wi/agriculture ↗️.

More information

More information on pesticide application training session dates, locations, and registration can be found on the UW-Madison Pesticide Application Training Website ↗️.