Every year the Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Program provides training materials and various training opportunities for private applicators seeking certification. There are three major changes for 2027:
- Revisions to the 100 General Farming Training Manual
- Certification Exam Changes: Use of Test Manuals
- New Materials and Pricing
Training Manual Revisions
The 9th edition of the 100 General Farming Training Manual for the private certification category is currently under revision. The anticipated 10th edition of the manual will be released in 2027.
Why the Change?
The 100 General Farming training manual is being revised to reflect new legislation and safety information as part of the regular revision cycle.
Certification Exam Changes: Use of Test Manuals
There will be a change to the private certification exam proctoring process. Starting on January 1, 2027, the proctor will provide anyone taking a private certification exam with a physical copy of a manual (called a “test manual”) to use for the open-book exam. The test manual must be provided and collected by the proctor. For 100 General Farming private certification exams, the test manual provided for the exam will be the updated 10th edition version of the manual. This means applicators no longer need to bring their manual for the certification exam.
Why the Change?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all reference materials used for certification exams to be provided and collected by the proctor. This means applicators can no longer bring and use their own manual for the open book exam. In response, the proctors will provide test-specific manuals to each applicator and collect the test manual once the exam is completed.
New Materials and Pricing
Due to the proctoring changes, the PAT Program is able to offer new training materials for private applicators. Starting January 1, 2027, an Electronic (PDF) training manual option will be available for purchase.
The Print training manuals and Electronic (PDF) training manuals will be available for all private base categories (100 General Farm, 104 Greenhouse & Nursery, 112 Fruit Crops) and subcategories (107 Soil Fumigation, 106 Chemigation, 111 Aerial).
- Private base category Print training manuals – $43
- Private base category Electronic (PDF) training manuals – $35
- Private subcategory Print training manuals – $20
- Private subcategory Electronic (PDF) training manuals – $15
The PAT Program also offers an online self-paced course, housed through canvas, for the 100 General Farming private certification category.
Applicators may complete any in-person or regionally hosted training, or the self-paced online course, to be eligible to receive the reduced passing score of 50%.
Why the Change?
In the past, applicators needed to bring their own print training manual to use as supplemental material. Since this is no longer the case and printed test manuals will be provided to all private applicators for their exam, the PAT Program can sell Electronic (PDF) training manuals at a lower cost than print manuals. Anyone seeking certification in a private base or subcategory will still be required to purchase a training manual to obtain a valid PAT number for the certification exam.
For 2027 and beyond, applicators will be able to choose between a Print and Electronic (PDF) training manual.
More Information
State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Email: datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov
Phone: (608) 224-4548
University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training Program
Email: patprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-7588
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