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Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

Integrating research and outreach education from UMass Amherst

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Pesticide Education Training

Massachusetts pesticide law requires that all persons who apply pesticides in public areas and private places used for human occupation and habitation must be in possession of a valid license or certification issued by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. In accordance with the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act and the current pesticide regulations, the Mass. DAR conducts written examinations to measure competency to use, sell, and apply pesticides in Massachusetts. All exams are closed book and applicants must be at least 18 years of age as of the date of the examination.

How to Obtain a Massachusetts Pesticide License or Certification

Complete information about how to obtain a Massachusetts pesticide license or certification is detailed in the Pesticide Examination and License Information Bulletin, which is released annually by the Mass. DAR Pesticide Bureau.

Exam Registration Applications, Preparation Workshops, and Study Materials

General Exam Information

Important note: To ensure that your completed exam application reaches the Mass. DAR prior to the deadline (one week before the exam), please allow sufficient time (4 - 5 days) for delivery of the application through the US Postal System and the State internal mail.

To sit for any exam, you will need:

  • A picture ID (i.e. Driver's License)
  • Multiple sharpened #2 pencils

Call the Pesticide Bureau on the day before the exam to confirm your seat. Sorry, but there are no refunds of exam processing fees. Snow dates are scheduled only if the Pesticide Bureau reschedules an exam due to inclement weather.

Additional information may be obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Pesticide Bureau; (617) 626-1720 or the UMass Extension Pesticide Education Program; (413) 545-1044.

Training Workshops

Training Workshops to Prepare for State Pesticide Applicator License Exams

The Pesticide Education Program of University of Massachusetts Extension offers a workshop designed to help individuals prepare for the pesticide applicator examination. This workshop is offered several times through the year and includes all of the basic information covered in the examination. A practice exam is part of each workshop. Information on workshop dates and registration can be obtained by visiting the UMass Extension Pesticide Education Program web site.

Pesticide Recertification Training Workshops

Pesticide license regulations require that applicators remain current in their knowledge and understanding of pesticide issues including the safe and effective use of pesticides. The Pesticide Education Program of UMass Extension provides opportunities for continuing education related to pesticide issues by offering workshops throughout the year. Each of these workshops has been approved for pesticide license recertification credits by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Information on workshop dates and registration can be obtained by visiting the UMass Extension Pesticide Education Program web site.

Pesticide Education Training

  • Overview
  • Best Management Practices (BMPs)
  • Nutrient Management
  • Management Guides
  • Pest Alerts/Messages
  • Newsletters
  • Food Safety for Farmers
  • Business Resources for Farmers
  • Beginning Farmers Resources
  • Pesticide Education Training
  • Farm-Specific FAQs
  • Commonwealth Quality
  • Agricultural and Commercial Horticulture Organizations in Massachusetts
  • State and Federal Government Agencies
  • Massachusetts Agricultural Data
  • Swarm Removal

Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

 

Stockbridge Hall,
80 Campus Center Way
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003-9246
Phone: (413) 545-4800
Fax: (413) 545-6555
ag [at] cns [dot] umass [dot] edu (ag[at]cns[dot]umass[dot]edu)

 

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CAFE Units

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Water Resources Research Center

Interest Areas

Agriculture

Commercial Horticulture

Energy

Environmental Conservation

Food Science

Nutrition

Water

Youth Development & 4-H

Services

Pesticide Education

Plant Diagnostics Laboratory

Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory

Hot Water Seed Treatment

Water Testing / Environmental Analysis Laboratory

Projects

Conservation Assessment Prioritization System (CAPS)

Extension Risk Management/Crop Insurance Education

Mass. Envirothon

Mass. Herp Atlas

Mass. Keystone

MassWoods

North American Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative

RiverSmart

UMass Design Center in Springfield

Resources

Extension Sales Portal

Agriculture & Commercial Horticulture Resources

Community & Economic Vitality

Disaster Preparedness

Food Safety

Home Lawn & Garden

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Land Conservation Tools

Pollinators

Tick testing

Resources for Faculty and Staff

Extension Programs

4-H Youth Development

Agriculture

Crops, Dairy, Livestock and Equine

Fruit

Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture

Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry

Pesticide Education

Turf

Vegetable

Clean Energy

Climate Change

Food Science

Nutrition Education

Value-Added Food

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