The Nebraska Extension will be hosting training for both private and commercial pesticide applicators over the coming months.
Private pesticide training will be held for farmers and ranchers who need to renew their certified private pesticide applicator’s license or anyone who wants to become certified. Private Applicator Certification and Licensing is required for anyone who will purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides in the production of an agricultural commodity, generally on their own property.
Local dates, locations, and times are as follows for 2026:
• January 20 at Senior Center in Callaway (1:00 PM)
• January 22 at the Community Building in Sargent (1:00 PM)
• January 27 at the Community Building in Ansley (7:00 PM)
• February 3 at the Legion Hall in Arnold (1:00 PM)
• February 11 at the 4-H Building in Broken Bow (1:00 PM)
Pre-registration for Private Applicator Certification and Licensing is required by calling the Custer County Extension Office at 308-872-6831.
To become certified, producers pay a $60.00 recertification fee for study materials and training. An additional fee of$25.00 from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture for the three-year license.
As an alternative to attending the Custer County training courses, producers may also complete online training costing $100.00 or attend a private pesticide training in another county.
Understanding the difference between commercial and noncommercial applicators is important when considering pesticide training. A standard private applicator license does not cover the use of restricted-use pesticide fumigants, nor for application of a restricted-use pesticide from an aircraft or drone.
Those who apply restricted-use pesticides on a contractual or for-hire basis require a commercial applicator license. This category also includes individuals who use restricted or general-use pesticides for hire or compensation for lawn care, structural pest control or community-wide outdoor vector control.
The Nebraska Extension will offer commercial pesticide training for initial certification and recertification at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte.
The registration fee for in-person commercial applicator training and online recertification training is $95. The training program will offer multiple dates for initial training and recertification. All sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m., and participants are encouraged to arrive early for check-in.
Training dates for commercial pesticide application training in North Platte are:
Initial Training Dates and Categories
Feb. 5: 00, 01, 03, 05, 07, 09
March 5: 00, 01, 04, 07, 08, 08w
April 7: 00, 01, 04, 05, 11, 14
Recertification Training Dates and Categories
Feb. 17: 00, 01, 07, 08, 08w, 11
March 12: 00, 01, 04, 05, 09
March 24: 00, 04, 07, 10, 11, 14
For more information about commercial applicator certification contact Dave Boxler at 308-696-6721 or at [email protected].
More information, including learning materials, and alternative training sites and dates can be found on the University of Nebraska website at pested.unl.edu.
