By: Mary Ann Rose, OSU Extension
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), has partnered with the OSU Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) to offer online recertification for applicators whose licenses expire this year and have been unable recertify as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration for the private pesticide and agricultural fertilizer programs are currently available at pested.osu.edu/onlinerecert. Online commercial pesticide recertification will be available from the same site beginning August 10.
The online recertification course allows participants to complete category-specific videos at their own pace, returning as often as desired to complete the required set of videos. These videos include category specific, up-to-date information provided by Ohio State University Educators and the ODA. Time spent in the program is tracked and participants must attest that they completed the recertification requirements.
The registration fees are payable online by credit card only: $35 for private applicators, $10 for fertilizer applicators, and $15/credit hour for commercial applicators.
Ohio applicators have 90 days after Ohio’s emergency declaration is over or December 1, whichever comes first, to complete their 2020 requirements. Recertification status can be checked online here. Applicators must also complete an application and pay an additional fee to ODA to renew their license. ODA has not decided whether online recertification may be available beyond the current license year.
For additional information regarding online recertification or assistance with the online registration and payment process, please contact the OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program at 614-292-4070.
Private pesticide and fertilizer applicators who do not wish to recertify online for 2020 should contact their local county OSU Extension office to see if and when they may make an appointment to do the recertification at the office.