Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Credit Workshops

For Immediate Release: February 6, 2012 

By Wilma Trujillo, SEA Agronomist

In the state of Colorado, pesticide application is regulated by a very strict set of laws enforced by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA).  Some of the regulations include the licensing of private, commercial, limited-commercial, and public pesticide applicators. The purpose of the license is to demonstrate a level of competency by pesticide users on the safe use of pesticides.  To become licensed, a private applicator must take and pass an open book test developed by the CDA. Commercial applicators must take a closed book test for categories in which they wish to be licensed.  All pesticide applicator licenses are valid for three years.  Under the Colorado Pesticide Applicators Act, applicators must re-certify either by re-examination or by attending pesticide education programs to acquire continuing education credits (CEC’s) in core subjects and if a commercial applicator, one or two CEC(s) in each of the categories in which they are currently licensed.

Colorado State University’s Southeast Area Extension is offering a Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Credit Workshop at the Otero County Extension office in Rocky Ford on March 15, 2012. The training is aimed to provide new information on pest control, health and environmental safety, pest management technology and changes in pesticide laws and regulations.  The workshop provides all 7 credits required for either private or commercial applicators to be re-certified.  In addition, commercial applicators will earn continuing education credits in the following categories:  102 Agricultural Plant Diseases; 107 Rangeland and Weed Control; and 109 Industrial and Right of Way.

The workshop fees are $35 for private applicators (morning sessions) and $75 for commercial applicators (all day sessions).  If you are interested in attending the workshop, please contact your local County Extension Office (Bent, Baca, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers) for more information and registration forms.  You can also contact Wilma Trujillo, the Southeast Area Agronomist, at the Prowers Extension Office,1001 S Main Street, Lamar, CO. Tel: (719) 336-7734 or at wilma.trujillo@colostate.edu.  Registration deadline is March 9, 2012.

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