You can find the certification and licensing process on the “Commercial – How to get certified and licensed” page.

When testing at a DATCP testing site (other than Madison) or taking the exam at a training / review session, please allow at least 2 to 3 weeks after taking the test to receive your results and certification card in the mail.

If testing through Pearson Vue, you will get your score immediately and your card will be emailed to you within 3 business days.

If you have not received your results after 3 weeks, please contact DATCP (the PAT program has NO access to exam scores or information).

To contact DATCP: email – datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov or phone – 608 224-4548. Please leave a message if calling.

You order training materials at the UW PAT Store.

NOTE: Application businesses need a Business License for each business location. Each applicator working for that business needs an individual pesticide applicator license. All licenses expire annually on December 31 and have to be renewed annually.

A) If you are a commercial applicator for-hire (you apply on other peoples property for pay) applying ANY pesticide, you need to be licensed.

B) If you are applying any restricted use pesticide as a commercial applicator, you will have to be licensed. You are using a restricted use pesticide if you see a box like this on the first page of the pesticide label. You have to be certified and licensed to buy and use this product.

You can apply for your license (business or individual) at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s web site: DATCP’s Licensing Web Site

Certification is good for 5 years. Your expiration date is listed on your certification card. Don’t have your card? Go to the DATCP website in the link below and search your name. If you do not see yourself in this database then you are presently not certified.

Certified Applicator Search

The PAT number is a 6-digit number found on your Training Registration Certificate. You receive a different certificate and PAT Number for every different manual you purchase.

If you order a printed (hard copy) manual, the certificate is taped to the first page of your book just inside the front cover. If you order a PDF manual or online course, the certificate will be sent to you via email (this is your “E-Ticket”). You will receive this email within 1-3 business days of your order. You PAT number is the large red number in the E-Ticket.

You must show this certificate (either printed or electronic) to DATCP or enter in your PAT number with Pearson Vue when taking your certification exam. Your certification will not be issued until you provide this to to the testing agency.

You can show the exam proctor your E-ticket on your phone rather than printing it out.

The PAT number is needed to get certified in Wisconsin. It is issued to you when you purchase training materials. If you have lost your PAT number, please contact the UW PAT Program to have it reissued. The UW PAT Program may charge a $10.00 service charge for reissuing a certificate or E-Ticket.

Yes. You need to add new employees to your business licenses as they are hired. Please email datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov with a) your business license number; b) business name; c) new employee’s name and applicator license number. They will be added to your license.

Yes, you can take the test again. However, there are, by law, certain waiting periods before you can retake the exam.

• First failure: 24 hours
• Second failure: 30 days
• Third failure: 30 days
• Fourth failure: 6 months.

Unfortunately, yes. Certification is a five-year period. Once it starts, anything you do in that 5-years period is considered an “amendment” (a change or addition to a legal or statutory document) to that existing five-year certification. Adding categories to your five-year certification period does not have an effect on that period. This means that the period ends at the same time no matter when you add to it.

We recommend, if possible, achieving all the categories you need in the first year of starting your certification period.

Currently:

Commercial certification	No minimum age.
Individual commercial license	16 years of age.
Worker Protection Standard (Agriculture)	18 years of age

The EPA changed their rules about who can use restricted use pesticides (RUPs), stating a minimum age of 18 years old to use RUPs. Wisconsin is in the process of updating their rules to comply. Because this process started a couple of years ago, our manuals reflect this new rule, even though it has not been put into action in Wisconsin as of yet. This process may take a further 2 to 3 years. Those certified before the rule change takes effect in Wisconsin are likely to be grandfathered in.

In short, no you don’t need to be certified to apply fertilizers, but to distribute (sell) fertilizer products in the state of WI you must have an annual license, annually report tonnage, and pay tonnage fees per ton of fertilizer distributed in Wisconsin. Additionally, for products that also contain soil and plant additive substances, they must obtain a soil or plant additive license and permit for the product. There are special permits for those who distribute low-analysis fertilizers (less than 24% N-P-K) or special-use fertilizers that are labeled for remedying nutrient deficiencies that are unique to certain specialty crops or local areas. All of this information can be found on the WI DATCP website (DATCP Home Commercial Fertilizer Dealers (wi.gov))

• According to the EPA (Basic Information about Pesticide Ingredients | US EPA), a pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for:
  • Preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest
  • Use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant
  • Use as a nitrogen stabilizer (nitrogen stabilizers or inhibitors are classified as a pesticide because they work by inhibiting soil bacteria that break down nitrogen (NitrogenInhibitors.pdf (wi.gov)). Certification for use of these products would be dependent on if the product is classified as a restricted-use product. If it’s classified as restricted use, then only certified pesticide applicators may handle the product.

• From the UW PAT 1.1 Field and Veg manual, Pesticides are classified as any substance used to directly control pest populations or to prevent or reduce pest damage. In WI anyone who will use (mix, load, or apply) a restricted-use pesticide (RUP) must become a certified pesticide applicator. Also, anyone applying any pesticide to other people’s property on a for-hire basis must become certified.

Refund/Return Policies:

The outline below is not all-inclusive but covers the most common situations.  If you have specific questions, please contact the PAT Program.

Training Materials: PAT Promise:

If the PAT Program makes a mistake with the order, such as packaging the wrong manual, shipping to a different address than the one on the order form, sending the wrong PDF Link, or uploading an applicator into the wrong Canvas Course.  The PAT Program will correct the mistake by re-shipping the correct manual, sending the correct link, etc., at our expense as quickly as possible after discovering the mistake.

Printed Manual Shipping issues:

The situations below require the PAT Program to be notified within 30 days of placing the order.  Failure to do so will result in refunds/returns being refused.

If the tracking information shows the package has been delivered to the address on the order form, it is the applicator’s responsibility to check with neighbors and look around the delivery area to try to find the package.  If the package cannot be found, the PAT program needs to be contacted to discuss options.

If the item is returned to the PAT Program due to an undeliverable address, it will be resent at the PAT Program’s expense one (1) additional time; however, it will NOT be sent to the same address.  A valid address will be required to re-send the manual. 

It is the responsibility of the person placing the order to confirm that the address is a valid and correct address that can be accessed by USPS personnel.  Manuals that are not recoverable due to an incorrect address on the order form will not be automatically replaced by the PAT Program and may require re-purchase.

Printed Manual Returns:

The situations below require the PAT Program to be notified within 30 days of placing the order.  Failure to do so will result in refunds/returns being refused.

If the incorrect items were ordered and an exchange or refund needs to be made, it is the responsibility of the applicator to return the unwanted manuals at their expense.  The manuals must be received in resalable condition (no marks, tears, etc.), with the unused PAT certificate intact.  Once the manual is received and information verified, new manuals or a refund will be processed.

PDF Manual Delivery Issues:

The situations below require the PAT Program to be notified within 30 days of placing the order.  Failure to do so will result in refunds/returns being refused.

If an incorrect email address was provided on the order, it is the responsibility of the applicator to contact the PAT Program with the corrected information.  Verification questions may be asked of the applicator at the time of the request to ensure the person is who they claim to be.

It is the responsibility of the person placing the order to confirm that the email address is correct at the time of the order. Delays caused by an incorrect email are not the responsibility of the PAT Program, but we will do what we can to correct them in a timely manner.

PDF Manual Refunds:

The situations below require the PAT Program to be notified within 30 days of placing the order.  Failure to do so will result in refunds/returns being refused.

If an incorrect category was ordered or the applicator no longer wishes to get certified, you must contact the PAT program within 30 days of the order.  The PDF manual can be exchanged or refunded only if the PAT # has not been used to take an exam.  Once a request has been made, the information will be verified before processing the refund/exchange.

Online Course Refunds:

The situations below require the PAT Program to be notified within 30 days of placing the order.  Failure to do so will result in refunds/returns being refused.

If an incorrect category was ordered or the applicator no longer wishes to get certified, you must contact the PAT program within 30 days of the order.  The Online Course can be exchanged or refunded only if the PAT # has not been used to take an exam, AND the course has not been accessed.  If the course has been accessed, even for a few minutes, a refund/exchange will not be given.  Once a request has been mad,e the information will be verified before processing the refund/exchange.

If an incorrect email was provided on the order, it is the responsibility of the applicator to contact the PAT Program.  Because the email address is tied directly to the user’s ID in the course, changing the email after the order has been processed is difficult, and may take several days to get corrected.  It is the responsibility of the person placing the order to confirm that the email address is correct at the time of the order. Delays caused by an incorrect email are not the responsibility of the PAT Program, but we will do what we can to correct them in a timely manner.

Online Course Access:

Once the order for the course has been processed, the applicator will have 6 months’ access to the online materials from the date of purchase.  Time extensions are not available; if more time is needed, you must re-purchase the course.

Training Events in Person:

On rare occasions, due to severe weather or for reasons out of our control (e.g., the bankruptcy of the venue) the session can change location or be canceled.  If this occurs, you will be notified via email when the decision has been made.  It is your responsibility to monitor your email for updates and changes, especially if a weather event is predicted. 

If we need to cancel or move a training event after the schedule has been posted, you will be able to get a refund or be transferred to a different event if seats are available.

If you can’t attend the event you signed up for, you must contact the PAT Program at least 48 hours in advance of the event to request a refund or transfer to a different session if available.  Cancellations received with less than a 48-hour notice will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and refunds may be denied.  No refunds/exchanges will be given once the event has taken place.

Commercial ZOOM Trainings:

On rare occasions, a ZOOM session may be canceled.  If this occurs, you will be notified via email when the decision has been made.  It is your responsibility to monitor your email for updates and changes.

If we need to cancel or move a ZOOM event after the schedule has been posted, you will be able to get a refund or be transferred to a different event if available.

If you can’t attend the event you signed up for, you must contact the PAT Program at least 48 hours in advance of the event to request a refund or transfer to a different session if available. No refunds/exchanges will be given once the ZOOM invitations have been sent.