John Stone, and Cameron Macko, Michigan State University Pesticide Safety Education Program - August 24, 2017
Review this guide for important requirements, helpful manuals and test information needed to qualify for Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification.
To clear up any confusion with the Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification process, the Michigan State University Pesticide Safety Education Program compiled this guide to ensure certification is as easy as possible.
Certification as a commercial applicator can only be received after turning 18 years old, passing the Certified Pesticide Applicator and Registered Technician exam and at least one category exam where you will be making your applications.
The exams are based on self-study pesticide applicator training manuals. A complete listing of them can be found and ordered at the MSU Extension Bookstore.
You will need the MSU Extension bulletin E3008KITC, “National Applicator Core Training Manual and Michigan Commercial Applicator Addendum.” Everyone who wants to obtain certification in Michigan will need to study this manual.
In addition, you will need to study the manual of the category or categories you need certification in. For example, someone who wants certification in field crop pest management will need bulletin E2034, “Field Crop Pest Management: Commercial Pesticide Manual - Category 1A.”
Once you have studied and are ready to take the exams, go to Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Online Pesticide Exam Scheduling page. Enter as a guest. Any county highlighted in green indicates exams are being given in that county. Click on the county for the location, date and times for the session and make a reservation.
Alternatively, online proctored exams are also available. Information about online exams can be found at the Metro Institute website.
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).
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Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
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