Pesticide Applicator Training

Commercial pesticide applicator training (CPAT)

Pesticide applicator training helps reduce the harmful effects of improper pesticide use. The University of Missouri Extension Commercial Pesticide Program provides educational outreach for individuals who wish to become licensed commercial pesticide applicators. Licensed applicators must pass an exam and participate in continuing education courses on environmentally sound uses of pesticides. Find instructions for preparing for and taking the initial certification exam here. Learn more about recertification classes at CPAT dates.

2024 MU Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training

January 9, 2024 - January 25, 2024

Additional Training Dates: Tuesday, February 13, 2024; Thursday, March 14, 2024

The 2024 Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification training in 2024 will be delivered live online as a fully virtual conference. It will be offered as a full day of training, including the CORE and category specific training in which you do the majority of your work.

Daily schedule

Core Training — 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. (CT)
Category Training — 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (CT)

Learn More and Register

Private pesticide applicator training (PPAT)

If you engage in the application of a restricted-use pesticide for the purposes of producing an agricultural commodity on property you or your employer owns, or rent without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities you are considered a private applicator. For more information on pesticide application requirements please refer to the Missouri Pesticide Use Act. The Private Pesticide Applicator Program reaches into each of Missouri’s 114 counties to train farmers and landowners who produce an agricultural commodity on the safe and proper use of pesticides.

Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) exam information

Learn more about the State of Missouri pesticide examination process. Find the date, time and locations for the State of Missouri Pesticide Examination schedule and find out more about the manuals and documentation needed for specific exams.

Visit the MDA exam site

Resources

Missouri Pesticide Use Act

The overall goal of the Pesticide Program is to prevent unreasonable adverse effects of pesticide use on human health and the environment while helping assure the availability of pesticides needed to maintain our quality of life.

Restricted Use Pesticides Database

Because certain pesticides can pose a hazard to human health and/or the environment even when used in accordance with label directions, the EPA has determined these products be labeled as Restricted Use Pesticides. The "Restricted Use" classification restricts a product, or its uses, to certificated pesticide applicators or individuals under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.

Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

EPA's Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is aimed at reducing the risk of pesticide poisoning and injury among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The WPS offers occupational protections to over 2 million agricultural workers (people involved in the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people who mix, load, or apply crop pesticides) who work at over 600,000 agricultural establishments (farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses).

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