The PAT Number is a 6-digit number that you get when you receive your training materials. You receive a different PAT number for every category you purchase.  The PAT number is on the Training Registration Certificate (example to the left) inside the front cover of your book.  When taking the test with the county office you will have to give them the certificate with your name and PAT Number on it. 

The PAT number does three things:

1. It assures that the required fee is paid (this fee has to be paid every time you are certified in any category).
2. It tells DATCP that you have received the same training information as everybody who is seeking certification in the State of Wisconsin.
3. It connects your certification to a training record that has to be kept for the State.

Yes, each applicator needs to purchase their own copy of the training materials, because each person needs their own PAT Number to take the exam.

The PAT number, does three things:

1. It assures that the required fee is paid (this fee has to be paid every time you are certified in any category).
2. It tells DATCP that you have received the same training information as everybody who is seeking certification in the State of Wisconsin.
3. It connects your certification to a training record that has to be kept for the State.

We have a list of categories that help guide you to the right one.  If you are still unsure, please feel free to contact us at patprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu or give us a call at 608-262-7588.

Find out what “certification” means and who needs to be certified to apply pesticides on the “How to get Certified” page.

Follow the steps below to get certified:

1. Purchase the Certification Training Fee with the manual. You can purchase this manual in our online store, or download a Mail Order Form to pay with a check. We cannot take phone orders.
2. After you’ve studied the training material and feel you’re ready for the exam, schedule your exam through a participating County Extension Office or Pearson VUE. If you have registered for an in person training/review session, the exam is given at that site at the end of the day. Training/review sessions occur Jan – April.
3. Pass the exam. Certification lasts for 5 years. After 5 years, you must recertify (purchase updated training material and take the exam).

For these issues contact DATCP. If you have not received your certification card, please email datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov.  DATCP is allowed up to 30 days to provide results and cards, but it often takes between two to three weeks. The PAT Program does not provide certification cards or have access to your test results.

Yes, you can. Please contact DATCP at datcppesticideinfo@wi.gov and ask to have another one reissued.  Provide your name, certification number, and shipping address to have another sent.  Forgot your certification number? No worries, look it up using the Kelly Solutions Website.

Yes, but you may have to wait to take the exam.  On the first failure, you can re-take the exam on the next available date AT LEAST 24 hours after your first one.  If you fail the second time or the third time you will have to wait 30 days from your last exam.  After that, you have to wait 6 months.

You can purchase the manual in our online store, or download a Mail Order Form to pay with a check. We cannot take phone orders.

Unfortunately, yes. Certification is a five-year period.  Once it starts, anything that you do in that 5-year 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, meaning 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:

Private certification	No minimum.
Worker Protection Standard (Ag.)	18 years of age

The EPA changed its rules about who can use Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs), stating a minimum age of 18 years old is required to use RUPs.  Wisconsin is in the process of updating its 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 most likely to be grandfathered in.

This process is not fast.

There are a lot of resources out there for help with safety when regarding the use of pesticides.  One such video is “Home Owner’s Guide to Pesticide Safety.”  Also here are some UW PAT Produced fact sheets:

• How Many Pesticides Do You Use?
• Questions About Pesticides?
• Start an IPM Plan
• Storing and Disposing of Pesticides
• What’s On A Pesticide Label
• Using Caution When Mixing Pesticides
• Proper Pesticide Application
• Calibrating A Hand Sprayer
• Calibrating A Drop or Rotary Spreader
• What to Wear When Handling Pesticides
• How To Select A Pesticide
• Professional Applicator Services: What You Should Know

The National Pesticide Information Center is another great resource for pesticide information.

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 made 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 correct.  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.