I have received a question or two about how to get a private applicators license. The private pesticide applicators license is required for individuals to purchase and use – or supervise the use of – a restricted use pesticide on your property or the property of your employer to produce a commodity (agricultural, horticultural, or forestry). The information about obtaining a private applicators license is available in this link.
To obtain a private applicators license follow these steps.
Step 1
Purchase course access for the Georgia Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Training Program. You will receive an order confirmation immediately after purchasing course access, please keep this for your records. Step-by-step instructions on how to purchase access to the training can be here:
How to purchase access to the UGA Private Applicator Certification Training Course (PDF)
Notice: Course enrollment is granted during normal business hours each weekday by the program coordinator. Do not be alarmed if you do not receive your welcome e-mail immediately after purchase. The program coordinator will typically enroll students into the course during normal business hours each weekday, typically around 10:00am EST or 4:00pm EST.
Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Training
Step 2
Complete the training course with a passing grade of 70% or higher.
Step 3
Print the Certificate of Completion and complete the Private Pesticide Applicators License Application. You can download a copy of the Private Pesticide Applicator License Application form here:
Georgia Private Pesticide Applicator License Application Form
Step 4
Take application form and Certificate of Completion to your local county Extension agent to submit the application.
What about paraquat training?
As required by EPA’s Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision and amended paraquat dichloride labels, certified applicators must complete an EPA-approved training program before mixing, loading, and/or applying paraquat that is valid for 3 years after completion.
This includes (but is not limited to) any person transporting or storing opened pesticide containers, cleaning equipment, disposing of excess pesticides, spray mix, equipment wash waters, pesticide containers, and other materials containing paraquat.
The EPA-approved online training is available for free from Syngenta: Paraquat Training. There is an English and Spanish version for the training. You will be required to complete a one time registration form including your name, email address, state, and pesticide application license number. Records will be stored by Syngenta and UGA Pesticide Safety Education Program. You will receive an automatic renewal email when your 3-year recertification renewal is due. More information on EPA’s 2016 Paraquat Human Health Mitigation Decision can be found here: Paraquat Dichloride.
How do I know if I need paraquat training? You will receive an automatic renewal email when your 3-year recertification is due. If you would like to see when you took the training in the past, then there is a way to do this. The most up to date list of paraquat attendees is included on the Georgia Department of Agriculture website here. It is an Excel spreadsheet. If you would like more information about this training go the GDA Paraquat website.
If you have questions please contact your local county Extension agent.