Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT)
Lafayette County Extension, in coordination with University of Wisconsin Madison-Division of Extension Pesticide Applicator Training Team and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced the State of Wisconsin will be providing Pesticide Applicator Training Sessions in 2025. Private and commercial pesticide applicators with expired certifications will need to participate to renew their certifications. Private applicators can complete their testing through a local UW-Extension office, however, Commercial applicators must register for a state conducted testing session.
Dates and Locations of Pesticide Applicator Training in 2025:
Grant County: January 30, 2025
Iowa County: February 21, 2025
Green County: March 6, 2025
Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Books:
- You can order manuals online at the PAT Store with a credit card, Click the blue button “Private Applicator” then select the category you are seeking certification in.
- Or for those who want to mail order, provide the Mail Order Form (PDF) and send it with a check.
Manuals must be purchased online or via the mail in form and can no longer be purchased at your local Extension offices. Manuals are $43 per book. Books are assigned to applicators as part of the record keeping process, so each person must purchase their own. Manuals are usually delivered within 3 days (with a paid shipping fee) or in 5-10 days (at no charge).
County Hosting Webinar Training
Several Zoom Webinar trainings in General Farming will be hosted by counties during the training season (Jan to April). Registration online will be required through the PAT Store to attend and this costs $10. Registration is required BEFORE the date of the Zoom Training. Green County will be hosting a training on March 6, 2025. Other locations and dates will be posted in the PAT Store.
Online Training Course
You can take this online training in place of the in-person training. You have 14 days once you have started the training to complete the online training. KEEP YOUR EMAIL WITH LINK. If you stop during the training, clicking the link will take you back to the last thing you did. If you have watched a video, make sure you click the blue arrow button to advance to the next module before you stop. To return to that module, click the training link in your email. Switching devices will not work, please use the same computer or tablet to complete the training.
Upon completion of this training, you will receive a “completion receipt.” You MUST show this receipt to your exam proctor when you take your private applicator test. The receipt indicates you have completed the training and allows your test to be coded for the 50% pass score.
Those wanting certification in the private Greenhouse & Nursery or Fruit Crop categories can take this General Farming training. This training still allows them to pass the Greenhouse & Nursery or Fruit Crop tests with a 50% passing grade.
To register for the online training, go to the Self-Paced Online Training for Private Applicators.
If you do the online training course, you will then need to take your test at a County Extension Office. To schedule a private appointment to take the test at the Green County office [608-328-9440], Iowa County office [608-930-9850] or Grant County office [608-723-2125] to arrange the appointment.
Self Study Participants
Self-study students are those who elect to purchase the manual and study on their own then test with a participating County Extension Office. They DO NOT attend a training and therefore are coded on the test as self-study. Self-study students have to pass the test with 70% or greater.
All those seeking certification or recertification have to purchase the manual through the UW PAT Program. See manual sales information above for how to order.
To test, please contact the Green County UW-Extension office 608-328-9440 to arrange a test time. Walk-ins are not allowed.
REMINDERS:
| Buy Book-$43 | Trainings | Test Information | Test Score Required | |
Option 1 |
Online $43 |
County Hosted Webinar-Attend In-person at UWEX Office ($10-must register online) |
UWEX office | 50% |
Option 2 |
Online $43 | Self-Study Book | UWEX office | 70% |
Option 3 |
Online $43 | Online Training Course (must provide proof of completion) | UWEX office | 50% |
If none of the testing times work for you, you can take the test another time by appointment only (Call 608-328-9440).
Bring these materials to the testing session:
- Large manual – “Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training Manual-General Farming”
- Number 2 pencil
- Photo ID
- Calculator (Optional, but must be something other than a Smart Phone as they are not allowed for use during the testing period.)
- Any questions that you may have.
- If you completed the online training class, you must provide your completion receipt from the online training class.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Regional Crops and Soils Educator – Jordyn Sattler at jordyn.sattler@wisc.edu – Cell – 608-228-0208 – Office – 608-328-9440
