Every Ohio private pesticide applicator 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 licensed category.

 2026 Private Pesticide Applicator and Fertilizer Recertification Training Registration Form - Mail in Option

Online Registration Option - go.osu.edu/pat26 

2026 Locations at a Glance - Registratrion form above

Seneca County - January 27th - New Riegel and February 12th - Attica
Richland County - February 3rd - Mansfield and March 26th - Shiloh
Huron County - February 17th - Norwalk
Sandusky County - February 5th - Gibsonburg * Agronomy Day - Reservation required
Crawford County - February 24th - Bucyrus
Erie County - March 5th - Milan
Wood County - March 17 - Bowling Green
Online - March 31

New Fertilizer Certification - Only
Wood County - March 24th - Bowling Green
 

Pesticide License Renewal

In order to maintain a Pesticide License, you will need to obtain the necessary recertification credits or take a re-examination. For private applicators, the minimum training required shall be 3 hours. Of the 3 hours, at least 1 hour shall consist of core training material and at least one-half hour specific to each pesticide-use category in which the private applicator is licensed.

Many of you will need to renew your Pesticide License before March 31, 2025; otherwise, you will have to re-take the examination. Please check the expiration date on your Pesticide License.

For those needing to renew, view a complete listing of programs in the State of Ohio "Click Here".

New Applicator's License

To become licensed, the Private Applicator must:

  1. Obtain study materials from your County Extension Office.
  2. Select an exam date and site. List of available exam dates and sites along with online registration.

Crawford County will be hosting Exam locations on the followign dates in 2026
 - April 7th
- June 23rd
- August 27th
- October 5th​​​​
 

   3.  Register for the exam by calling the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Division at (800) 282-1955. (Because of limited space, you may not be able to take the exam if you are not pre-registered.)

Then:

  1. Ohio Department of Agriculture will notify you by letter with the 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.

Private Applicator License

Private applicators do not purchase a yearly license. The $30 fee is paid upon passing the exam and at the beginning of each subsequent 3 year certification period.