UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In response to limitations surrounding in-person meetings this winter season, PennState Extension is offering other ways for applicators to earn their recertification credits. As of January 2021, Extension is offering webinars, online courses, and a new product ‘correspondence courses’ which serve as mail-in workbooks to meet the needs of applicators seeking recertification credits for the March deadline.
Webinars
The webinar series Agronomic Pesticide Update offers two ‘core’ and two ‘category’ (private category, 01 Agronomic Crops, and 18 Demonstration and Research) credits for each webinar attended. The upcoming webinars will occur on February 11 and February 25 at 10:00 AM, along with March 11 at 7:00 PM. The cost of each webinar is $10. Applicators in need of more than two ‘core’ and two ‘category’ credits are encouraged to register for multiple sessions, as each webinar offers different recertification topics.
In partnership with the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council, Kings AgriSeeds, and Seedway, we offer the online Forage Production Series. This series provides five two-hour webinar sessions on a broad array of topics related to forage production. From forage fertility to interseeding rye – there is something for everyone with an interest in forages. The final session will offer two ‘core’ and two ‘category’ (private category, 01 Agronomic Crops, and 18 Demonstration and Research) credits. The cost to attend the series is $10.
Landscape professionals and applicators are invited to join the Turf and Ornamentals Conference running Tuesdays from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM from January 19 to February 16, 2021. The following credits are offered: core, private category, 05 Forest Pest Control, 06 Ornamental and Shade Trees, 07 Lawn and Turf, 09 Aquatic Pest Control, 10 Right-of-Way and Weeds, 18 Demonstration and Research, 23 Park or School Pest Control, along with ISA Certified Arborist Credits. The cost to attend the conference is $30.
Online Courses
We currently have fifteen online courses available offering recertification credits in ‘core’, private category, 01 Agronomic Crops, 06 Ornamental and Shade Trees, 07 Lawn and Turf, 09 Aquatic Pest Control, 18 Demonstration and Research, as well as 23 Park or School Pest Control. These courses vary in cost, length, and the number of credits available.
Correspondence Courses
Correspondence Courses (Workbooks) are another way that applicators can earn some recertification credits. Applicators choosing this method will be mailed a workbook, which they will need to read and complete activities and/or review questions. Then you will take a quiz on the material and mail the quiz back to Penn State for grading. If you pass, you will receive a completion certificate in the mail, and we will notify the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture that you passed. If you fail, we will send you a different quiz, and you can take the quiz a total of three times. Each workbook offers only two ‘core’ OR two ‘category’ credits. Ensure that you order enough workbooks to meet your recertification needs. The cost of each workbook is $10. The shipping cost of these workbooks will be covered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture through March 2021.
To Register
To register for any of our upcoming opportunities or order Correspondence Courses please call our customer service line open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM at 1-877-345-0691. For those with internet access you may also search our offerings and sign up online via https://extension.psu.edu/pestcredits.
Other Options Available
Applicators can search the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PaPlants website for all the available ‘core’ and ‘category’-specific recertification credit opportunities. Use the Recertification Course Locator to find available meetings in your area or you can also search for webinars and online meetings.
–Penn State Extension