Recertification
To ensure they maintain competency and keep abreast of changing technology, pesticide applicators in Pennsylvania must get recertified after three years. On this page, find information for pesticide applicators seeking recertification credits, including how to find credits, a list of upcoming opportunities, Penn State’s online recertification course, and frequently asked questions.
How to Get Pesticide Recertification Credits
A commercial, public, and private pesticide applicator license in Pennsylvania is valid for three years. If you want to maintain certification, you must attend update training programs in order to accumulate recertification credits in core and appropriate category-specific topics. You have to do this at three-year intervals.
Interactive online recertification courses are available for pesticide applicators who want to earn recertification credits at their own convenience. You can register for online courses in English and Spanish. If you want to find out about core and category-specific recertification credit opportunities, you can search the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PaPlants website.
To determine the number of credits you need to maintain your applicator’s license, you can contact an Extension office. However, it’s much easier to look up your pesticide applicator recertification credits online.
Penn State Extension has a vast range of recertification credit programs, meetings, and courses you can take advantage of. Here are some examples:
- Pesticide Core Credit Recertification: Covers pesticide safety and you earn 4 core Pennsylvania pesticide applicator recertification credits
- Plant Health Diagnosis: Accession Plant Diseases, Pests and Problems: Covers diagnosing plant health problems and you earn 4 PDA pest applicator recertification credits
- Pesticide Sprayer Cleanup: Covers the why, where, and how to clean your sprayer and you earn 1 PDA core credit
- Aquatic Pesticide Management: Using Aquatic Herbicides for Pond Weeds and Algae: Covers the management of nuisance pond plants and algae growth and you earn 3 PDA Category 9 or Private Category credits
- Keeping Pesticides out of Groundwater: Covers groundwater and contamination and you earn 2 Core PDA credits
- Winterizing Pesticide Sprayers: Learn when and how to winterize sprayers. This online course is an opportunity to earn 1 PDA core credit
- Forage Disease Pesticide Update: You can earn 2 core and 2 category credits by completing this correspondence course
- Professional Pest Managers School: Provides an opportunity to earn recertification credits in categories where it's difficult to find credits
- Agronomic Pesticide Update Webinar: Earn 2 core and 2 category credits by attending this webinar
- Crops Conference: Learn about key current crop management issues and earn pesticide, nutrient management, and certified crop adviser credits
- Agronomic Pesticide Update: This is a traditional 2 core and 2 category credit workshop for pesticide applicators
In this section, find all the necessary information to maintain your pesticide applicator license and get recertification credits.
- Articles
So, You Need to Find Recertification Credits? We Can Help
Find available online recertification courses from Penn State Extension and PaPlants. - Articles
Frequently Asked Recertification Questions
Read responses to commonly asked questions we receive about the recertification process. - Workshops
Crops Conference
Length 6 hours, 30 minutesRecap the 2024 crop production season, discover agronomic innovations, and earn valuable certification credits. Attendees gain expert insights, network with industry leaders, and enjoy a buffet lunch. - Online Courses
$25.00
What's New in Agronomic Pest Control: 2024
Sections 3Length 1 hourLearn about herbicides, integrated pest management (IPM) for field crops and small grain pests, tar spot of corn, and using drones in agriculture. Earn 2 Category 1, Category 18, or Private Category credits. - Webinars
Commodity and Space Fumigation
Length 1 hourJoin this Commodity and Space Fumigation Category webinar for your pesticide applicator recertification. - Guides and Publications$10.00
Pesticide Applicator Recertification Workbook: Worker Protection Standard
Earn two Core pesticide recertification credits. Pesticide applicator recertification correspondence course workbook on EPA's Worker Protection Standard. - Online Courses
$15.00
What's New in Agronomic Pest Control: 2023
Sections 3Length 30 minutesLearn about developments in the agronomic pest control market, integrated pest management (IPM) techniques for field crops, and crop diseases to look for in 2023. Earn 1 Category 1, Category 18, or Private Category credit. - Webinars
Turf and Ornamentals: Pools
Length 2 hoursEarn Cat. 24 and PC credits while you learn about pool chemical problems and stabilizing pH levels, and more. - Online Courses
$25.00
What's New in Agronomic Pest Control: 2022
Sections 2Length 1 hourLearn about developments in the agronomic pest market, including possible herbicide shortages, weed control, and seed coating effectiveness. Earn 2 Category 1, 18, or Private Category credits and a certificate of completion. - Online Courses
$59.00
Turfgrass Installation and Maintenance
Sections 6Length 4 hoursLearn about turfgrass species, uses, establishment and maintenance practices, weeds, pests, and diseases. Earn PDA category credits. Earn PCH credits. - Webinars
$10.00
Crops Conference
When 03/10/2025Length 5 hours over 2 daysEvent Format Virtual | LiveThis two-day virtual seminar offers opportunities to earn pesticide credits and to learn about key current crop management issues. - Online Courses
$25.00
Pesticide Laws and Regulations
Sections 4Length 1 hourLearn how federal laws and agencies like the EPA regulate pesticides, from registration through disposal. Earn 2 core credits and a certificate of completion. - Online Courses
$25.00
Pesticide Hazards and First Aid
Sections 4Length 1 hourPesticide applicators learn about the hazards of pesticides, classifications of those hazards, their routes and symptoms of exposure, and appropriate first aid response. Earn 2 core credits. - Online Courses
$25.00
Pesticide Transportation, Storage, and Security
Sections 3Length 1 hourLearn how to transport pesticides safely and securely, properly store pesticides, and create a pesticide security plan. Earn 2 core credits and a certificate of completion. - Online Courses
$59.00
Weed Management for Ornamental Landscapes
Sections 6Length 8 hoursLearn how to identify and manage weeds in the northern United States using integrated pest management and herbicides. Earn PDA core and category credits. Earn PCH credits. - Online Courses
$25.00
Pesticide Formulations
Sections 6Length 1 hourPesticide applicators learn about the different formulations of pesticides, their advantages, disadvantages, pesticide mixtures, and the benefits of adjuvants. Earn 2 core credits. - Online Courses
$25.00
Planning the Pesticide Application
Sections 3Length 1 hourLearn about planning a pesticide application including selection, mixing, loading, application, and cleanup. Earn 2 core credits. - Online Courses
$25.00
Pesticides in the Environment
Sections 4Length 1 hourPesticide applicators learn about how pesticides behave in the environment and best practices to minimize environmental impact and maximize pesticide effectiveness. Earn 2 core credits. - Workshops
Field Crop Recertification School
Join us to earn pesticide recertification credits and maintain your pesticide applicator’s license! - Online Courses
$25.00
Pest Management for Pesticide Applicators
Sections 5Length 1 hourLearn about pest control, integrated pest management (IPM), and pesticide resistance. Earn 2 core credits and a certificate of completion. - Online Courses
$59.00
Pest and Disease Management for Landscape Plants
Sections 13Length 9 hoursLearn about managing plant health diseases, vertebrate and invertebrate pests, insects, abiotic disorders, and integrated pest management. Earn PDA core and category credits. Earn PCH credits. - Guides and Publications$10.00
Pesticide Applicator Recertification Workbook: Soybean Diseases
Earn two Private Category, and Categories 01 and 18 pesticide recertification credits. Pesticide applicator recertification correspondence course workbook on soybean diseases. - Online Courses
$25.00
Pesticide Emergency or Incident Response
Sections 2Length 1 hourPesticide applicators learn how to prepare for, recognize, and respond to emergencies when handling or storing pesticides. Earn 2 core credits and a certificate of completion. - Online Courses
$149.00
Poultry Fly Management
Sections 11Length 10 hoursLearn to manage pest flies in your poultry facility using integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Build your own IPM plan that meets FDA requirements. Earn PDA core and category credits. - Guides and Publications$10.00
Pesticide Applicator Recertification Workbook: Grain and Rodent Burrow Fumigation
Pesticide Education Correspondence Course workbook on grain and rodent burrow fumigation to help applicators earn recertification credit(s). You can earn two credits in Category 20 (Commodity and Space Fumigation) and Category 18.