BY LIZZIE WHITEHEAD
Livestock & Natural Resources
The method for administering Florida’s pesticide license exams is undergoing a notable change. Beginning Oct. 1, UF/IFAS will be handing over all pesticide testing responsibilities to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and will no longer be giving pesticides exams in UF/IFAS Extension Offices.
FDACS intends to implement a dual-format model: remote-proctored online exams (via Everblue) and in-person testing at licensed third-party testing centers similar to those used for GRE or SAT exams. Under this system, exam fees are expected to range from approximately $32 for online tests to $59 for in-person sessions.
To assist license seekers before the transition, the UF/IFAS Bradford County Extension Office is offering a one-time class on Sept. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This class is designed to provide training for the Private Applicator and Agricultural Row Crop pesticide exams before the change takes effect. Continuing Education Units have been approved — two Core plus two Ag Row or Private Applicator categories — for licensed applicators who wish to attend for CEU credits.
Extension agents from Bradford and Alachua counties will cover herbicide chemistry and weed biology, application techniques and equipment, personal protective equipment, worker protection standards, pesticide labeling, and calculations. Lunch will be provided. After lunch, anyone who wishes to take their pesticide license exam that day may do so in the afternoon.
If you are taking the exam after the class, please call our office at 904-966-6224 to reserve a computer or send me an email at [email protected].
Registration is available online via this link: https://pesticidetraining25.eventbrite.com.
Taking advantage of this event allows license-seekers to prepare, earn CEUs, and test before this change takes place.
Please note: No educational materials or notes are allowed during the pesticide exam. For exam questions requiring calculations, a formulation sheet will be provided.
