Private Pesticide Applicator Training comes to the Tri-County

The Private Applicators certificate is for individuals who are applying restricted-use pesticide products on land or sites they own, rent, or manage for the production of an agricultural commodity. Farmers with Private Pesticide Applicator certifications (PPAT) that expire March 1, 2025, will need to renew that license for the 2025 growing season. If you are unsure about your certification status, you can check it at z.umn.edu/PPATcertlookup. The process to renew your license remains similar to what it has been from previous years. Farmers can renew permits again this year by one of four options.

1) Attend an “In-Person Renewal Workshop” conducted by University of Minnesota Extension staff. Pre-registration may be done online at pat.umn.edu three days prior to the workshop. Online registration must be done if you would like to pay by credit card. Walk-ins are still welcome. Bring an official photo ID such as a driver’s license, your current permit card if you have one, and a check to pay the $100 permit fee. You must arrive on time and stay for the entire workshop. Anyone 15 minutes late or leaving before workshop completion will not get credit for the workshop. 

Renewal workshops in the Wright, McLeod, and Meeker county area include:

• Hutchinson, Monday Feb. 10, 5:30-9 p.m. at the McLeod County Fairgrounds, 840 Century Ave. S.W. 

• Buffalo, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Wright Co. Government Center, 3650 -Braddock Ave. N.E. 

Find a full list of available workshops at pat.umn.edu.

2) Take the written exam that is available at your local County Extension offices. The 19th Edition Manual is the current reference for the exam and is available for $10. You may also access a free PDF version of the manual on the PPAT website. Mail the $100 permit fee along with your test answer sheet in the envelope provided. 

3) Take the exam online by going to pat.umn.edu. The $100 permit fee is paid by credit card, and the manual can be viewed online. The online exam opened Jan. 3. Final exams must be completed by Oct. 31, 2025.

4) Attend a live online Zoom Recertification Workshop. You must pre-register to attend the Zoom workshop, and you must have your applicator license on hand and available. You must have an internet-connected device with a video camera and sound. You must remain online for the entirety of the workshop to receive credit. The $100 fee is paid by credit card online. You can register online at pat.umn.edu for one of these workshops.

First-time Private Pesticide Applicators or those with certifications that have expired must take the exam using options 2 or 3 to be certified. 

We need your input!

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture recently announced it will require the private pesticide applicator exam to be proctored starting Jan. 1, 2026. Based on this change, please let us know how you may choose to re-certify in the future by completing a quick survey at z.umn.edu/PrivateApplicatorSurvey.

For questions about the Private Pesticide Applicator Certification process, call your local County Extension Office. In Wright County call (763) 682-7394, in McLeod County call (320) 484-4334, and in Meeker County call (320) 693-5275. In case of inclement weather, check z.umn.edu/2025PPATworkshops, call either the Farm Information Line at (800) 232-9077, or the coordinating U of M Extension Office before getting on the road. Always use your best judgment with the weather. 

For related questions, please feel free to email Taylor Herbert at therbert@umn.edu or call (612) 394-5229.