Recertification
To ensure they maintain competency and keep abreast of changing technology, pesticide applicators in Pennsylvania must get recertified after three years. On this page, find information for pesticide applicators seeking recertification credits, including how to find credits, a list of upcoming opportunities, Penn State’s online recertification course, and frequently asked questions.
How to Get Pesticide Recertification Credits
A commercial, public, and private pesticide applicator license in Pennsylvania is valid for three years. If you want to maintain certification, you must attend update training programs in order to accumulate recertification credits in core and appropriate category-specific topics. You have to do this at three-year intervals.
Interactive online recertification courses are available for pesticide applicators who want to earn recertification credits at their own convenience. You can register for online courses in English and Spanish. If you want to find out about core and category-specific recertification credit opportunities, you can search the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PaPlants website.
To determine the number of credits you need to maintain your applicator’s license, you can contact an Extension office. However, it’s much easier to look up your pesticide applicator recertification credits online.
Penn State Extension has a vast range of recertification credit programs, meetings, and courses you can take advantage of. Here are some examples:
- Pesticide Core Credit Recertification: Covers pesticide safety and you earn 4 core Pennsylvania pesticide applicator recertification credits
- Plant Health Diagnosis: Accession Plant Diseases, Pests and Problems: Covers diagnosing plant health problems and you earn 4 PDA pest applicator recertification credits
- Pesticide Sprayer Cleanup: Covers the why, where, and how to clean your sprayer and you earn 1 PDA core credit
- Aquatic Pesticide Management: Using Aquatic Herbicides for Pond Weeds and Algae: Covers the management of nuisance pond plants and algae growth and you earn 3 PDA Category 9 or Private Category credits
- Keeping Pesticides out of Groundwater: Covers groundwater and contamination and you earn 2 Core PDA credits
- Winterizing Pesticide Sprayers: Learn when and how to winterize sprayers. This online course is an opportunity to earn 1 PDA core credit
- Forage Disease Pesticide Update: You can earn 2 core and 2 category credits by completing this correspondence course
- Professional Pest Managers School: Provides an opportunity to earn recertification credits in categories where it's difficult to find credits
- Agronomic Pesticide Update Webinar: Earn 2 core and 2 category credits by attending this webinar
- Crops Conference: Learn about key current crop management issues and earn pesticide, nutrient management, and certified crop adviser credits
- Agronomic Pesticide Update: This is a traditional 2 core and 2 category credit workshop for pesticide applicators
In this section, find all the necessary information to maintain your pesticide applicator license and get recertification credits.
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Online Courses$25.00
Keeping Pesticides Out of Groundwater
Sections 3Length 1 hourLearn about groundwater and contamination, how to manage pesticide applications and spills, and how to protect groundwater. Earn 2 core credits and a certificate of completion. -
Online Courses$15.00
Problem Weeds in Field Crops: Managing Perennials
Sections 2Length 30 minutesLearn management and herbicide use for perennial weeds such as multiflora rose, bindweeds and hemp dogbane. Earn 1 Category 1, Category 18, or Private Category credit and a certificate of completion. -
Online Courses$15.00
Problem Weeds in Field Crops: Managing Annuals and Biennials
Sections 2Length 30 minutesLearn management and herbicide use for weeds such as lambsquarters, Palmer amaranth, foxtails and crabgrass. Earn 1 Category 1, Category 18, or Private Category credit and a certificate of completion. -
Online Courses$25.00
Japanese Beetle Management
Sections 2Length 1 hourLearn to recognize the damage Japanese beetles do to turfgrass and ornamental plants, and how to manage infestations. Earn 2 Category 6, 7, 18, 23, or Private Category credits. -
Online Courses$15.00
Forage Weed Management
Sections 2Length 30 minutesLearn to identify and manage pasture and hayfield weeds with integrated weed management and herbicides. Earn 1 Category 1, Category 18, or Private Category credit and a certificate of completion. -
Online Courses$15.00
Pesticide Sprayer Cleanup
Sections 2Length 30 minutesLearn why, where, and how to clean your sprayer, including cleaning steps and rinsate disposal. Earn 1 core credit and a certificate of completion. -
Workshops$10.00
Commodity and Space Fumigation
When Multiple Options AvailableLength 1 hourEvent Format In-PersonEarn two Category 20 credits while learning best practices, fumigation planning, and safe use of fumigants for controlling grain bin insects and burrowing vertebrate pests. -
Workshops$10.00
Crops Day
When Multiple Options AvailableEvent Format In-PersonExplore 2025 crop results, innovations, and agronomic research at Crops Day 2026 with Penn State Extension specialists. -
Webinars$10.00
Agronomic Pesticide Update
When Multiple Options AvailableLength 2 hoursEvent Format Virtual | LiveAttend this traditional session offering two Core and two Category credits to fulfill recertification requirements for pesticide applicators. -
ArticlesPennsylvania Department of Agriculture Contacts
Find your Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Regional Office and contact information. -
ArticlesFind Pesticide Recertification Credits
Find pesticide recertification credits on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's PaPlants website. -
WorkshopsStarting at $130.00
Professional Pest Managers School
When Multiple Options AvailableLength 7 hours, 15 minutesEvent Format In-PersonParticipants in this one-day pesticide update receive research-based information and recertification credits in hard-to-find categories. -
Online Courses$59.00
Aquatic Pesticide Management: Using Aquatic Herbicides for Pond Weeds and Algae
Sections 3Length 3 hoursManage nuisance pond plant and algae growth. Learn about measurements, plant identification and control methods using an integrated pest management approach. Earn 3 Category 9 or 3 Private Category credits and a certificate of completion. -
Online Courses$39.00
Plant Health Diagnosis: Assessing Plant Diseases, Pests and Problems
Sections 4Length 2 hoursLearn a process for diagnosing plant health problems, including signs and symptoms of diseases, pests and insects, and environment or management issues. Earn 4 Category 6, 7, 18, 23, or Private Category credits and a certificate of completion. -
ArticlesAbout the Pesticide Education Program
Our program strives to educate pesticide applicators and users about pest management alternatives, including pesticides, to promote responsible decision-making. -
ArticlesPennsylvania Pesticide Applicator Certification
Learn how to become a pesticide applicator in Pennsylvania.
