Commercial Pesticide Applicator Education

Commercial Applicators Manuals by K-State Research and Extension are available for free download as linked below, or physical copies may be ordered online or in person through the K-State Research and Extension Bookstore.

For questions about ordering, the KSRE Bookstore may be called at 785-532-5830, or email orderpub@ksu.edu.

Commercial applicators may find their certification expiration date and number using the KDA Search Tool. Search by first and last name.

Commercial applicators may obtain recertification training credits any time during their active certification period, you do not need to wait until the renewal period (October - December of your expiration year) to begin. Keep in mind training providers may not offer the complete credit needed for recertification. It's possible you may need to attend more than one training event to obtain all necessary credits.

Recertification hours are added up for each subcategory until after your expiration date. (Any extra hours accumulated during a certification period are not carried forward into the next certification period.)

Commercial applicators have until December 31 of their year of expiration to earn credits.

If a K-State Research and Extension Pesticide and IPM Program recertification training does not meet your needs to obtain necessary credits, there are other entities who provide this service as well. Check the KDA website frequently throughout the year to view current opportunities.

If you find a training somewhere not on the KDA website, request that program sponsor contact the KDA for approval at least 30 days in advance of the training, as KDA requires approval of all programs.

Commercial applicators need training in each subcategory of certification in, and one core hour.

Subcategories are: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 5S, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 9A.
Look below for the subcategories or categories (2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) you are certified in.

Commercial applicators only need 1 Core hour in a certification period, regardless of how many subcategories they are certified in. For example, if you are certified in 3A, 3B, and 7E, you only need one Core hour if the Core hour was attended within the 3-year certification period of each subcategory.

Note: If your subcategories do not align within the same active certification period, you may need additional core hours.

Credits earned through K-State Research and Extension Pesticide and IPM Program take about 10 business days to appear in the KDA Portal. Commercial applicators may view their credits online through their KDA Portal Account.

Save the attendance forms you receive at training sessions and keep track of your hours throughout your certification period. Always keep in mind when your certification expires.

Commercial applicators may contact the KDA Pesticide and Fertilizer office directly with their name and certification number, to inquire if credits were received by calling (785) 564-6688 or email KDA.PestFert@ks.gov.

Commercial applicators may enter their existing KDA Portal account by logging in here.

If you don't have an account yet, click "Sign Up Now" on the above link and complete the next steps.

Do not create a new account if you already have one. Individuals may contact the KDA Pesticide and Fertilizer office directly for technical support by calling 785-564-6688 or email KDA.PestFert@ks.gov.

If it's been at least 10 business days since completing a K-State Research and Extension Pesticide and IPM Program recertification training and your recertification credits are not yet visible, it may be because you have duplicate KDA Portal accounts.

Commercial applicators may contact the KDA Pesticide and Fertilizer office directly with their name and certification number to inquire if credits were received by calling 785-564-6688 or email KDA.PestFert@ks.gov. If you believe a discrepancy has occurred, contact KDA or the training program sponsor immediately.

Commercial applicators may calculate their renewal period by knowing their certification expiration date. Use the KDA Search Tool to search by first and last name. The renewal period is October - December of the expiration year.

Each time you renew your certification, you will start a new 3-year certification period.

It is important to understand that receiving recertification training is only part of the process in renewing your commercial pesticide certification. Training sponsors, such as K-State Research and Extension Pesticide Safety and IPM program, do not collect KDA renewal fees or recertification applications.

To renew certification, submit your renewal application and appropriate fees per category to KDA, or login to your KDA Portal account to complete the process online.

Failure to renew on or before 30 days following expiration of your certification period will result in an automatic forfeiture of all earned credits, and you must renew your certification by examination.

If you have questions, have your name and certification number ready and contact the KDA Pesticide and Fertilizer office at 785-564-6688 or email KDA.PestFert@ks.gov.

If certification is not renewed with KDA on or before 30 days following the expiration date of your recertification period, full examination will be required. Check the KDA website for opportunities to register for tests.

If you have questions, have your name and certification number ready and contact the KDA Pesticide and Fertilizer office at 785-564-6688 or email KDA.PestFert@ks.gov.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture hosts the general commercial applicator exam and appropriate category and subcategory exams. The KDA has a full listing of exam opportunities. Check their website frequently throughout the year to view updated options.