Burlington—Farmers, landscapers, greenhouse and nursery employees, pest control operators and others seeking pesticide applicator initial certification are invited to attend a review and written exam session on April 9 at one of four locations.
University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will host sessions at the UVM Extension Office in Brattleboro (130 Austine Drive, Suite 300); UVM Extension Office in Rutland (271 North Main St.); Vermont Department of Health Office, St. Johnsbury (107 Eastern Ave.); and the Robert Miller Community Center, Burlington (130 Gosse Ct.,).
The fee is $40, $60 after April 1. Walk-ins will not be accepted, so pre-registration is required at https://go.uvm.edu/core24. If requiring a disability-related accommodation to participate, contact UVM Student Accessibility Services at (802) 656-7753 or access@uvm.edu.
The review of materials will begin promptly at 9 a.m., followed by the required written exam from 2 to 4 p.m. All participants will need to purchase the Northeast Pesticide Applicator Core Manual (third edition) in advance to study for the exam. To order the manual and required inserts (pdf downloads), go to https://go.uvm.edu/vaafm-manuals. The cost is $45.
The closed-book exam will cover a wide range of topics including state and federal pesticide laws and regulations, pest identification and management, pesticide formulations, equipment calibration, protective equipment, proper handling and storage of pesticides and personal safety, among others.
After passing the core exam for initial certification (a score of 75 or better), anyone requiring commercial or non-commercial certification must take additional exams for specific categories. No category exams will be given on April 9 but may be scheduled through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture at https://go.uvm.edu/vaafm-exams.
To learn more about the pesticide applicator program, visit www.uvm.edu/extension/psep or contact Sarah Kingsley-Richards at sarah.kingsley@uvm.edu.