Vermonters who need their initial pesticide certification can now register for a meeting at one of four sites around the state offered by the University of Vermont Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM).

The meeting will begin with a review of the Northeast Core Manual, 3rd edition and the Vermont Rule for Control of Pesticides. The meeting will end with the Vermont Pesticide Applicator Core Exam.

The meeting is scheduled 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on April 7, 2026. Its four locations are:

  • Brattleboro -- UVM Extension Office (130 Austine Dr., Suite 300)
  • Burlington -- Robert Miller Community Center (130 Gosse Ct.)
  • Rutland -- UVM Extension Office (271 N Main St.)
  • St. Johnsbury -- UVM Extension Office (374 Emerson Falls Rd.)

The initial certification is required for anyone who uses, supervises, recommends or sells pesticides. It's also for anyone who trains Worker Protection Standard pesticide handlers and agriculture workers. This includes:

  • Farmers and agricultural employees
  • Nursery, greenhouse, garden center operators and employees
  • Landscapers
  • Foresters
  • Pest control operators
  • Government, municipal or university employees

Registration can be done at https://go.uvm.edu/core26 for a fee of $50 until April 1. After April 1, registration is $70. Pre-registration is required, and no walk-ins are accepted. Refunds are available until April 1, 2026.

Meeting attendees must study the Core manual and regulations before the review. The exam is closed book (including no cell phones) and requires a score of 75% or higher to pass. Exam takers should bring a calculator, and they should get advance copies of Core manuals and required inserts (pdf downloads) from VAAFM at https://go.uvm.edu/vaafm-manuals.

No category exams will be given at these meetings on April 7, but they can be scheduled with VAAFM for a later date at https://go.uvm.edu/vaafm-exams.

Also please note that no lunch will be provided at the meeting. Attendees should plan to bring their own or buy their own during a one-hour break. No kitchen facilities will be available.

Visit https://go.uvm.edu/psep for more information about the initial certification meeting or contact Sarah Kingsley-Richards at (802) 656-0475 or sarah.kingsley@uvm.edu.

If you require an accommodation related to a disability, please contact UVM Student Accessibility Services at access@uvm.edu or (802) 656-7753 by March 17.