BURLINGTON — University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will conduct a review session and written exam at two venues in April for anyone seeking a Vermont pesticide applicator license.
Dates and locations are April 25 at the VFW Post 2571, 97 South Main St., White River Junction, and April 26 at the Robert Miller Community Center, 130 Gosse Ct., Burlington. The $30 registration fee increases to $40 after April 11.
Farmers, pest control operators, landscapers, garden center employees and others who use restricted-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities are required by law to be licensed to handle these chemicals and must pass the core exam to receive their license. In addition, any agricultural employer who uses products with an Agricultural Use Requirement must meet Worker Protection Standard compliance in Vermont through certification.
The exam is based on the Northeast Pesticide Applicator Core Manual, which participants will need to buy in advance. Details on purchasing and registration for either session can be found at http://pss.uvm.edu/pesp. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, contact Sarah Kingsley-Richards at (802) 656-0475 no later than April 4.
The review session will begin promptly at 9 a.m. with the written exam for pesticide applicator initial certification scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants should plan to bring a bag lunch or buy lunch off-site. Coffee and morning pastries will be provided.
Licensed pesticide applicators are invited to attend the review session to earn four Vermont recertification credits. Among the topics to be covered are state and federal pesticide laws and regulations, correct handling of restricted-use pesticides, protective equipment and personal safety, equipment calibration and pest identification
Some individuals, depending on their type of work, also will need to pass specific category exams for commercial certification. These exams will not be offered during these sessions but may be scheduled through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture at (802) 828-3479.
–UVM Extension
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