Who needs to get certified in Wisconsin to apply pesticides?

• Any applicator using a Restricted-Use Pesticide (RUP),
• For-hire (you apply on other people’s property for money) applicators using any pesticide,
• People directing others in the use of pesticides,
• People applying any pesticide to K-12 public school property (inside or outside) in Wisconsin,
• Any applicator applying any pesticide to the waters of the state. Becoming certified is usually a requirement of the permit you need to apply pesticides to water.

We list the steps to getting certified in Wisconsin further down this page.

Type of Applicator	Need to be Certified?	Need to be Licensed?
Commercial Applicator For-Hire	Yes. Using ANY pesticide.	Yes
Commercial Applicator Not-For-Hire (you apply only on your employer’s property).	ONLY if using RUP.	Only if using RUP
Applying on K-12 Public School Property	Yes.	Only if using RUP
Volunteer working for free	ONLY if using RUP.	Only if using RUP
Private Applicator: You produce an agricultural commodity AND you do it on property you or your employer owns or controls.	Click “Private Pesticide Applicator” in the menu at the top of the page.

Steps to Getting Certified as a Commercial Applicator (for Private Applicator click “Private Pesticide Applicator” above).

Step 1. Identify which category you need certification in.

• Click here for a list of categories.
• If you are producing an agricultural commodity AND you are doing it on land you or your employer owns or rents, then please click Private Applicator in the menu above to get information relevant to you.
• For commercial applicators, identify which certification category(s) you need. Be aware that in some cases, you might need more than one category. For example, you are certified in 3.0 Turf & Landscape but want to treat for mosquitoes. You will also need to get certified in category 5.0 Aquatic & Mosquito to make those applications.

Step 2. Purchase your training materials.

• You have to purchase the training materials each time you get certified or recertified. Manuals are reviewed and revised every 5 years.
• You can purchase training materials either online at the PAT Store or through mail order using a check. We cannot take orders over the phone. How to order from the Store.
• We presently ship via USPS. If you order a printed manual, your training materials will usually arrive within 3-8 business days. You can pay extra at the time of ordering for faster shipment. If you order a PDF manual or online course, you will receive a link to download your manual and/or a “Get Started” button to set up your course access, usually within 2 business days.
• OPTIONAL: You can register for one of the trainings offered in certain categories. Registration is done in the PAT Store. The certification exam is given in these optional trainings.

Step 3. Study the information in the training materials.

There are guides to help you study in the introduction of your manual. The UW PAT program offers training sessions in the larger categories during the early spring (January to May). In these sessions, DATCP offers the test after the training/review.

Step 4. Schedule a test either with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) or the private testing company Pearson VUE.

• There is no charge for taking the exam with DATCP. There is a fee for each exam at Pearson Vue. For more information about these options see the Certification Exam page.
• Schedule a test with DATCP.
• Create an account and schedule a test with Pearson VUE.

Step 5. Pass your test by getting at least 70% correct and receive your certification card from DATCP.

• Certification cards can take up to 3 weeks to receive when testing with DATCP (especially during the busy testing season of January – May). Your certification card will arrive in the mail if testing with DATCP. Results and cards are provided immediately after the test if testing at the Madison location. If testing with Pearson Vue, results are immediate, and your certification card will arrive via email approx. 3 business days after testing.
• If you do not receive your certification card in the mail by the 4th week, reach out to DATCP at datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov or call 608-244-4548. The UW PAT Program cannot help or speed this process up.

Step 6. Apply for an applicator license.

1. Commercial License For-hire	Applying as a government employee, AND you are using a restricted-use pesticide. Go To Portal.
2. Commercial License Not-For-Hire	Applying as a government employee, AND you are using a restricted-use pesticide. Go To Portal.
3. Commercial License Not-For-Hire applying to K-12 public school grounds.	If you are applying only non-RUP pesticides to public K-12 school property (inside or outside) you do not need a license. However, if you do use an RUP click here to get your license: Go To Portal.
4. Commercial License Not-For-Hire applying as a government employee.	Applying as a government employee, AND you are using a restricted use pesticide. Go To Portal.

• Individual applicator licenses require a fee and expire on December 31st of the year. Educational and Government license applications do not have a cost.
• Click here if you wish to get your license with a Paper Application.

Step 7. Have your license number added to your company’s application business license or apply for the business application license if you are the owner/manager of the company or location.

• Business licenses require a fee per location and all expire on December 31st of the year.
• Applicator Business License Application Form. You will need the names, license numbers, and certification expiration dates of your applicators.
• To add certified and licensed applicators to your business license, please contact DATCP at datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov

30-Day Temporary Commercial Applicator Trainee Registration

Licensed commercial application businesses can register new employees for a 30-day temporary training registration. This allows employers to train their new employees in the field under direct on-site supervision before certification and licensing. More details and the application form can be found on the DATCP Website.