Has anyone taken the course/test lately? Wondering how difficult the process might be before I jump into this. I recently bought 34 acres that is overrun with McCartney Roses, Thistle, and Horsenettle. Seems the best herbicides to apply are restricted use. TIA
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Private Pesticide Applicator License
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Last: 15 days ago by Patience32
I took it as a grad student in TN. It was pretty easy - but we were told exactly what to study.
I took the commercial applicator test 6 years ago and it wasn't bad, buy the study guides from Extension and you'll be fine. Laws and Regs was the section I should have studied a little more. Register now if you want to take the test, the state uses testing centers for the test and they're usually backed up, a friend had a 6 week delay this fall.
What was your major?
I found it to be not very hard.
I found it to be not very hard.
The course comes with some very good study guides/references. Your county Agrilife agent/office is often where classes are conducted, and can answer most questions on scheduling.
The testing centers can be a pain to access, dependent on your location.
Accumulating the CEU's needed over the 3 yr period for renewal is not quite as easy under our current bizarre world, but doable.
The testing centers can be a pain to access, dependent on your location.
Accumulating the CEU's needed over the 3 yr period for renewal is not quite as easy under our current bizarre world, but doable.
NRA Life
TSRA Life
TSRA Life
get with your local Extension office for when they offer next class
The process has completely changed in Texas. Local extension offices used to conduct the classes and administer tests. From talking to locals, the test was 'taught' and nobody failed.BQ_90 said:
get with your local Extension office for when they offer next class
Called extension last year and was told counties don't do it that way any longer.
Paid a fee, received study materials, and took the course online. Have to pass a quiz to move to the next class. After passing a comprehensive final, I received a letter giving me permission to sign up for the licensing quiz, which is given by a contracted third-party company. Have to drive to one of its locations. I've registered but have not taken the licensing exam yet.
Are exam testing dates readily available? I tried calling psi, but they won't give me the schedule without a TDA number and to get that number you have to take the course and pay the hundred dollar fee.
They sure don't make it easy. You have to take the course online ($75) but in order to take the course you need the books, which they snail mail to you. Once you finish the course, they give you a certificate that you need to start the application ($100). You have to fill out and submit the application Before you can register for the test ($64). You have to do all of that before you can even see the testing schedule. Got to love government efficiency!!
They are. And PSI gives all kinds of tests, across all disciplines, so they are in all major cities. I have three locations within an hour and they each offer the pesticide test about five times a week.Cadet05 said:
Are exam testing dates readily available? I tried calling psi, but they won't give me the schedule without a TDA number and to get that number you have to take the course and pay the hundred dollar fee.
Use Tommy Kezar with CTN Education Services for the prep course and then also to obtain your CEU's. Tommy Kezar is the best. He's well in tune with what's going on everything and you can email him or call on anything. He is also very connected with State of Texas Agriculture
https://www.ctnedu.com/?Itemid=68
https://www.ctnedu.com/?Itemid=68
The course isn't hard but I found that keeping up with the CEU's was a pain. I let my license go and have found that I can manage pretty well with non-restricted treatments.
I did mine online about a year ago. Very easy course, just takes some time to complete it. When I scheduled my test I think dates were at least a couple weeks out.
I am currently a County Extension Agent. It is a pain and we wish it wasn't.
If your county is relatively open with Covid restrictions, you may be able to go in to the office, sit for 3 hours and watch a video. It's only $60 then and you get the book and form that day. (save $15 and two weeks of waiting.)
After that it's out of our hands and you're at the mercy of the TDA.
If you're applying pesticides fairly often, the CEU requirement is annoying but not that bad. You need 15 hours over 5 years, or 3 a year average. Commercial guys need 5 a year. Your extension office will offer at least one 5 CEU event a year. If yours doesn't, the county over does.
Some people wait 5 years, never do a class, and then call me a month before their license expires and ask why it's so dang hard to fill the requirements. Sorry man, I only offered 10 hours every year and advertised online, the newspaper, a mailer, local tv, local radio...
If your county is relatively open with Covid restrictions, you may be able to go in to the office, sit for 3 hours and watch a video. It's only $60 then and you get the book and form that day. (save $15 and two weeks of waiting.)
After that it's out of our hands and you're at the mercy of the TDA.
If you're applying pesticides fairly often, the CEU requirement is annoying but not that bad. You need 15 hours over 5 years, or 3 a year average. Commercial guys need 5 a year. Your extension office will offer at least one 5 CEU event a year. If yours doesn't, the county over does.
Some people wait 5 years, never do a class, and then call me a month before their license expires and ask why it's so dang hard to fill the requirements. Sorry man, I only offered 10 hours every year and advertised online, the newspaper, a mailer, local tv, local radio...
I took mine last year on line through the extension service. Fairly straight forward and easy to do in your spare time.
Test was fairly easy ... they give like 2 hours and I was done in 30 minutes with a 95+ on it. You could schedule it through the testing center.
I have not started on my CEU's yet, but they appear to have to be done in classes vs self study. That will be a future issue next year.
Test was fairly easy ... they give like 2 hours and I was done in 30 minutes with a 95+ on it. You could schedule it through the testing center.
I have not started on my CEU's yet, but they appear to have to be done in classes vs self study. That will be a future issue next year.
Books came in today. There are test questions at the end of each chapter. For those have recently taken the test, are the questions at the end of each chapter similar to what will be found on the test?
Yes they were similar.Cadet05 said:
Books came in today. There are test questions at the end of each chapter. For those have recently taken the test, are the questions at the end of each chapter similar to what will be found on the test?
If you do the online version, they had other test questions after each module that you had to pass and a "example test" at the end. They were all similar.
Once I got my certificate, it took a few weeks to get real test schedule. I worked through the example test again as a refresher.
Also - there were several questions on rodents/animals/vegetation identification. They were actually fairly straight forward, but you just need to be aware that those chapters are important.
He AZtea, about those people....texAZtea said:
I am currently a County Extension Agent. It is a pain and we wish it wasn't.
If your county is relatively open with Covid restrictions, you may be able to go in to the office, sit for 3 hours and watch a video. It's only $60 then and you get the book and form that day. (save $15 and two weeks of waiting.)
After that it's out of our hands and you're at the mercy of the TDA.
If you're applying pesticides fairly often, the CEU requirement is annoying but not that bad. You need 15 hours over 5 years, or 3 a year average. Commercial guys need 5 a year. Your extension office will offer at least one 5 CEU event a year. If yours doesn't, the county over does.
Some people wait 5 years, never do a class, and then call me a month before their license expires and ask why it's so dang hard to fill the requirements. Sorry man, I only offered 10 hours every year and advertised online, the newspaper, a mailer, local tv, local radio...
What do they do when their license expires and they don't have the CEUs? Just retake the test?
the practice questions are probably 90% the same as the actual test. I pretty much memorized all of the questions from the handout, and all of the questions from the online practice tests, and ended up with maybe 3 questions on the real test that I had never seen before.Cadet05 said:
Books came in today. There are test questions at the end of each chapter. For those have recently taken the test, are the questions at the end of each chapter similar to what will be found on the test?
most local extension offices will have some form of CEU events each year. The Beef Cattle Short Course in college station always has a bunch as well. Always keep an eye out for the Law and IPM CEU's, b/c those see to be the hardest to find.
Took it and the arborist test a out 2 weeks apart. There is a fair amount of overlap in some ares, but the applicator test I could have passed without studying. That is probably the easiest test I have ever taken.
Took the test in January, made an 85 but didn't look at the book too much. You will need to study the formulas for all of the calculations and understand how to use them. If I remember correctly, they give you the formulas. Also, need to know to read pesticide labels.
The hardest part for me was the questions asking you to identify different weeds. I skipped that part of the book. Other than that, as mentioned, you do have to take a course to get the paperwork to send in to the state prior to being eligible for taking the test.
The hardest part for me was the questions asking you to identify different weeds. I skipped that part of the book. Other than that, as mentioned, you do have to take a course to get the paperwork to send in to the state prior to being eligible for taking the test.
Anyone take an in person class through the extension office before the test? Specifically looking at the landscape maintenance class. I'd like to get the on medical applicators license and start spraying lawns on my days off.
I'm signed up to take this test on Friday. I've read through the study guide and answer the questions at the back of it. Aside from Quizlet, does anyone know of any other study aids available?
Also, is there any rodent, plant, etc. pictures that you have to be able to identify on the test?
Any additional advice would be appreciated.
Also, is there any rodent, plant, etc. pictures that you have to be able to identify on the test?
Any additional advice would be appreciated.
I took mine a few years ago. Just look over the calculations and plants as a refresher prior to the test. Most of the rest is common sense.
It took me about 30 minutes to finish and missed one question. Proctors thought I was just needed a break, but I was done.
Also, stay on top of the continuing education…it snuck up on me and I had to cram a bunch of hours and a lsst minute in person session.
It took me about 30 minutes to finish and missed one question. Proctors thought I was just needed a break, but I was done.
Also, stay on top of the continuing education…it snuck up on me and I had to cram a bunch of hours and a lsst minute in person session.
tamc93 said:
I took mine a few years ago. Just look over the calculations and plants as a refresher prior to the test. Most of the rest is common sense.
It took me about 30 minutes to finish and missed one question. Proctors thought I was just needed a break, but I was done.
Also, stay on top of the continuing education…it snuck up on me and I had to cram a bunch of hours and a lsst minute in person session.
Edit … found my post from a few years ago with other tips.
https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3157700/replies/57976655
I got mine a few months ago.
I'd misplaced the book with the pictures of pests, so I did poorly on those questions, but still passed with ease. They provided the formulas.
I'd misplaced the book with the pictures of pests, so I did poorly on those questions, but still passed with ease. They provided the formulas.
Thanks for the info and advice. I appreciate it
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