The Environmental Protection Agency has required each state to update their certification and training plans, which outline private and commercial pesticide certification in the state. With this, producers that have a pesticide license need to be aware of some upcoming changes to the private applicator certification and testing that is conducted, especially at the Extension office. In order to meet these objectives, the Kansas Department of Agriculture introduced house bill 2607, which was approved by the legislature making some changes to the private applicator certification.

Starting Jan. 1, 2025 there will be three options for applicators to receive certification. These include:

• Closed-book examination (We will still offer this option at the Extension Office)

• Attend an in-person training to obtain certification

• Complete an online training that will be released

The new options to be able to get a private pesticide certification will also be the way for a producer to recertify.

If you are someone that may have been putting off getting your certification, or if you are able to renew, you may want to get certified before the end of the year. The Extension office has a limited amount of books on private pesticides for loan so that you can study and then come take the test. We will also be working on an in-person training in the coming year if you do not complete the test before the regulations change.

Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.