Every private pesticide applicator in Ohio must have at least 3 hours of educational training every 3 years. The training must include an hour of core and at least 30 minutes in each category licensed. Every fertilizer applicator must complete 1 hour of educational training every 3 years. Both trainings are often held during one recertification event.

New Pesticide Applicator

First time getting your applicator license? To become licensed, the Private Applicator must take an exam. The exam assesses the candidate's knowledge of federal and state pesticide law, integrated pest management, best management practices, pest identification, and the ability to read and understand pesticide labels. All exams are multiple choice, require having a passing score of 70%, and are written in English.

The suggested way to prepare and take the exam is:

  1. Obtain study materials from your County Extension Office. It is helpful to call your local OSU Extension Office before you visit to ensure that the office has the materials on hand. The phone number for Mercer County Extension is (419) 586-2179.
  2. Select an exam date and site. Register online using this ODA website.. Mercer County is a host site for the exam every month on the last Thursday of the month, with the exception of November and December due to holidays.
  3. If you need assistance, contact Ohio Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Division at (614) 728-6987. (Because of limited space, you may not be able to take the exam if not pre-registered.)
  4. Take the exam on the date and location you selected.

Then:

  1. Ohio Department of Agriculture will notify you by letter with exam results. After the exam is passed, pay the $30 license fee to ODA. The license will be mailed within 3-4 weeks.

License Fees should be paid to:
             Ohio Department of Agriculture
             Pesticide Regulation
             8995 E. Main St.
             Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-3399
             Phone:   (614) 728-6987  or   (800) 282-1955.

New Fertilizer Applicator

Persons who are seeking a fertilizer license for the first time are not requried to take an exam. They may take an exam OR attend a 3 hour training. Visit pested.osu.edu/Fert_cert for more information about obtaining a fertilizer applicator license with the state of Ohio.

 

 

Mercer County Programs

New Applicator Classes

Mercer County occasionally hosts classes for new pesticide and/or fertilizer applicators. We do not have any trainings planned at this time. Please check back or visit pested.osu.edu/NutrientTraining for other dates and locations.

Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification

Applicators who are expiring in 2026 must recertify their license before March 31, 2026.

For applicators expiring in 2026, Mercer County will hold two recertification trainings. (Pesticide Applicator Training is abbreviated PAT, and Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training is abbreviated FACT). The two dates to attend a training in Mercer County are January 12, with Pesticide from 9am-12pm and Fertilizer from 1pm-2pm, or February 2 with Fertilizer from 5pm-6pm and Pesticide from 6:30pm-9:30pm. For other locations, visit pested.osu.edu/privaterecertification. Mercer County is in the blue "Top of Ohio" section.

If you are unsure of when your license expires, you may check your status using your applicator ID number and last name at the following link:

 agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/online/credit-search

 

People sitting at a class listening to and watching a man give a presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

pested.osu.edu

Ohio Pesticide Laws

Drones for pesticide application resources

Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Alfalfa