California Pesticide Applicator Recertification Courses

1 hour: Other
Annual bluegrass has historically been an important weed of many, if not most, commodity and specialty crops. The extensive reliance upon herbicides as the primary means of control has led to an almost overwhelming presence of herbicide resistance. This course will discuss the currently reported cases of annual bluegrass resistance to various herbicides and how to develop an effective herbicide program.

1 hour: Other
When pesticide applications become necessary for good turf management, it’s important to understand how the application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course will provide turf managers with an understanding of the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on turf and how to properly calibrate the equipment.

2.5 hours: Other
Aquatic ecosystems are extremely complex and fragile. This course covers the many aspects necessary for managing aquatic pests, from site evaluation and pest identification to pesticide application and treatment evaluation. Risk communication strategies are included, along with a variety of control methods in addition to aquatic pesticides.

2 hours: Other
Managing aquatic weeds revolves around proper plant identification. Tailoring management strategies to address specific aquatic plant life is only possible through accurate identification. This course teaches the basics of aquatic weed identification and the different approaches to aquatic plant management.
 

3 hours: Other
This course focuses on the use of cage and box traps in the management of vertebrate pests in both urban and suburban environments. Best practices surrounding appropriate traps for target animals, effective baits, and safe and humane use of traps will be outlined.

1 hour: Other
Learn to identify pests to manage them effectively. Proper identification prevents incorrect management methods or timing and can protect plants from damage. This course reviews how to identify and treat common landscape pests in California including invertebrates, weeds, vertebrates and disease agents.

2.5 hours: Other
Pest management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps from growing a healthy plant that is more resistant to pest damage to correctly identifying the problem when present. This course will cover the most common pests of ornamental plants.

3 hours: Other
This online video course teaches pest managers in California how to control interior and exterior pests that can damage various types of property, infect people, and negatively affect quality of life.

1 hour: Other
Managing weeds in a turf stand can be a tricky proposition. Often times the client fails to recognize that the presence of weeds in a turf stand is the result of poor turf, not the cause. This course will provide applicators with a working knowledge of weed biology, weed identification, and how herbicides work.

3.5 hours: Other
This course discusses managing pests in aquatic environments. It contains extensive plant identification, discussing common weed types and species. Other pests, such as insects or birds, are also covered. In addition, this course explains a variety of control methods, outlining how to use pesticides safely and the necessary first aid for any exposure. Finally, calibration of equipment is explained and example scenarios are explored.

2.5 hours: Other
This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management in enclosed spaces where exposure is increased and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully control the environment. 
 

5 hours: Other
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food, feed, and fiber productions; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of field crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest invasions while protecting themselves and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides.

4 hours: Other
This course examines integrated pest management strategies for forest environments. Lesson material focuses on how to protect non-target organisms, minimize pesticide’s impact on water sources, and manage pesticide resistance. Topics include forest pest management regulation, damage control methods, weed control, and more.

2 hours: Other
This course explains how to control agricultural pests within California forests. Lessons cover pesticide-mixing safety measures, integrated pest management strategies, how to protect water sources from contamination, and more.

5 hours: Other
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, nematodes, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food productions, and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of fruit crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest infestations while protecting themselves and maintaining productive fruit crop yields intended for human consumption.

1 hour: Other
This course provides a basic understanding of how fungicides work, and the basics of collecting plant material samples for testing pathogens. Fungal spores, germination, plant appearance, infections, fungicide mechanism, collection techniques, and collection dos and don’ts are all discussed.

8 hours: Other
This course covers Respiratory Protection, Personal Protective Equipment & Emergency Response, Pesticide Application Procedures, Pesticide Formulations, Pesticide Hazards & First Aid, Pesticides in the Environment, Planning the Pesticide Application, and Transportation, Storage, Security, & Professional Conduct.

1.5 hours: Other
To effectively manage a mosquito population as part of an integrated pest management plan applicators must be familiar with mosquito physiology, the lifecycle of the mosquito, and various collection and surveillance methods for both adult mosquitoes and larvae. This course will talk about surveillance methods, mosquito anatomy, and touch on the diseases that are most commonly vectored by mosquitoes in the United States.

1 hour: Other
IPM of ornamental plants involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for ornamental plants, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive landscape.

1 hour: Other
As a turf manager, you’ll need to be more than someone who just applies pesticides. Good turf management requires the use of all the tools in the toolbox. This course will touch on the best practice cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls for turf management.

1 hour: Other
This course, which is approved by the California Department of Agriculture, discusses benefits and considerations for developing an integrated pest management (IPM) program in California, in accordance with the Department of Pesticide Regulation. The course discusses pest management methods such as pesticide use, augmentation, sanitation, and mechanical and cultural control.

1 hour: Other
Managing your row crops takes time and attention to detail. Your IPM strategy, insect sampling techniques, and pesticide applications all need to work together. This course covers the basics of sound IPM principles, insect sampling techniques, and how to effectively calibrate your equipment to help applicators manage their crop.

1 hour: Other
The site of a fresh mound of soil in an otherwise manicured lawn or alfalfa field can be enough to send a landowner into a tizzy. Pocket gophers can be devastating to both lawns and agricultural fields if they are not properly controlled. The damage caused by pocket gophers can sometimes be confused with either moles or ground squirrels. This course will cover the basics of pocket gopher management including biology, damage, trapping, and toxicant use.

4 hours: Other
This course teaches the basics of disease management for landscape plantings, cost-minimizing strategies, and tools and techniques needed to successfully control disease in the highly competitive world of landscaping.

1 hour: Other
Moles can be the bane of a well-kept lawn. But is it really a mole? Moles, voles, shrews, and pocket gopher damage can look the same to the untrained eye. This course covers the physiological differences between moles and other look-alike vertebrate pests, trapping techniques, and toxicant options.

3 hours: Other
Correct identification of each mosquito species is an important step to managing the mosquito population in your area. Each species of mosquito has its own preferred habitat and breeding environment. This course covers the preferred habitat, breeding ground, and physiological differences between five major species of mosquitoes found throughout the United States.

2 hours: Other
Mosquito management is a daunting task for many applicators. When mosquito management is done incorrectly or isn't done at all, mosquitoes can make public spaces unusable. This course will discuss common methods of mosquito controls, everything from physical controls to pesticides, to record-keeping, all as part of a solid integrated pest management approach to mosquito control.
 

3 hours: Other
This course is for agricultural pesticide applicators who want to become certified as commercial or public applicators of restricted-use pesticides for the control of natural areas. It outlines various invasive weeds in natural areas and how an applicator should go about treating natural areas with respect to wildlife and the environment.

1 hour: Other
When pesticide applications become necessary for good ornamental plant management it’s important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on ornamental plants, the way to calculate the volume of solution needed, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.

1 hour: Other
Wearing PPE can reduce exposure (dermal, inhalation, ocular, or oral) and thereby lower the chances of pesticide injury, illness, or poisoning. It is important that all pesticide applicators and handlers understand the protections and limitations of PPE.

2 hours: Other
Discover safe, effective, and economical pest control methods to protect property, people, and quality of life in this course. Agricultural pest managers will also learn how to make decisions that minimize hazards to themselves, others, and the environment.

1 hour: Other
This course discusses proper inset identification for rice, cotton, and peanuts. Each pest and pathogen are identified according to various stages of maturity, the signs and symptoms exhibited, and the type of biological, cultural, or chemical control recommended for each.

1 hour: Other
A pest is an undesirable organism that injures humans, desirable plants and animals, manufactured products, or natural substances. This course will discuss the importance of pest identification in pest control, describe how pest population levels trigger control procedures and give several reasons why pesticide applications may fail.

1 hour: Other
Pesticides may be applied as sprays, dusts, granules, gases (vapors), fogs, baits, rubs, or dips and require the correct equipment for the pesticide as well as the job size and type. In addition, you must properly select, operate, calibrate, and maintain your equipment.

1 hour: Other
California pest managers can use this course to learn the basics of safe and legal pesticide use. The course covers elements of safe handling and application, including management plans and alternative treatments. Learn best practices for public and environmental safety like notifying the public and posting warning signs.

1 hour: Other
Pesticides are formulated to make them safer or easier to use. There are many formulations available for various pest control sites and situations and it is important that applicators choose the best one for the job.

1 hour: Other
Pesticides are designed to be toxic so they can control pests (e.g., plants, insects, rodents, fungi, and bacteria) while not harming non-target organisms and anyone else exposed to the product. Pesticide users need to be concerned with the hazards associated with exposure to the chemical and not just the toxicity of the pesticide.

1 hour: Law
The pesticide label is the main method of communication between a pesticide manufacturer and pesticide users. By law, pesticide users are required to comply with all instructions and use directions found on the pesticide product label.

4 hours: Laws
This combined course covers Pesticide Labeling, Reading the Pesticide Label: Beyond the Basics, and Federal Pesticide Laws and will help you gain an understanding of labels, usage, safety data sheets, interpreting labels and online resources, identifying chemicals and brands, how to integrate important requirements, and how to maintain records.

1 hour: Other
Applicators and the public share concerns about how pesticides may harm the environment. Initially, hazards to humans were the primary reason the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided to classify a pesticide as a restricted-use product.

1 hour: Other
Before beginning a pesticide application, you should know how to select the right pesticide for the job, review the label, test for pesticide compatibility before mixing, select personal protective equipment, transfer pesticides safely, and clean up after an application.

1 hour: Other
This course provides an outline of the primary concerns of the bee-keeping industry including colony collapse disorder (CCD), factors affecting honey bee decline, invasive insects, fungal disease, best practices for pollinator stewardship, and minimizing pesticide risks for pollinators.

2 hours: Laws
Labels are increasing in complexity and depth of information. It is never suggested that anyone try to memorize a pesticide label. By reviewing parts of a label and recognizing label language and use, we hope that you feel more comfortable with the information on pesticide labels and feel confident in understanding the information the present.

1 hour: Other
When the pesticide label requires a respirator it’s important to know how to use a respirator safely. This course outlines the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements.

2 hours: Other
California pest managers can take this course to learn how to control forest pests safely. This course focuses on your responsibility to the environment, its inhabitants and humans. Explore the benefits of the personal protective equipment (PPE) your employer must provide. Learn more about broadcast sprayers, banding calibration, application methods and more.

1 hour: Law
This course is specific to California and teaches the federal and state laws for pesticide applications, based on Chapter 4 of the Pesticide and Pest Control Laws and Regulations of Landscape Maintenance Pest Control publication 3493.

1 hour: Other
This course teaches California pest managers about pesticide classifications and hazards. Topics include how to recognize the toxicity danger pesticides present to the environment, humans, pets and wildlife, plus various categories and designations of pesticides.

3 hours: Other
Pest management in right-of-way situations can be a challenge. The economic thresholds are different in right-of-way situations compared to either a landscape setting or an agricultural setting. This course provides an overview of pests common to rights-of-way, management solutions, a look at the equipment commonly used to treat rights-of-way, and a review of calibration steps for that equipment.

4 hours: Other
This course will review the methods and techniques to manage vegetation on right-of-ways and non-cropland industrial sites safely without damage to non-target species, sites, objects, or the environment.

1 hour: Other
In the last ten years, there has been a resurgence of treated seed use, largely due to the advent of improved chemical performance. We as agricultural producers are obviously concerned about the more modern applications of these processes. This course outlines the benefits and risks associated with treated seed products.

1 hour: Other
Mosquito control programs manage the population of mosquitoes to reduce their damage to human health. Mosquito control is a vital public-health practice as mosquitoes are the number one vector of disease globally, spreading many diseases. Mosquitoes can cause significant pain, irritation, and infection from their bites, which are a considerable nuisance. This course outlines mosquito control’s components, methods, benefits, and complexities.

1 hour: Other
This course discusses safety and security issues that may arise when pesticides are moved or stored, under what conditions uncertified people can make applications of restricted use products, and how to communicate these issues with customers.

1 hour: Other
There are a variety of diseases, disorders, insects, and vertebrate pests that can cause problems in turfgrass. This course will give applicators and turf managers an overview of these common pests and strategies for their management.

.5 hour: Law and
.5 hour: Other
Rodenticides are becoming a widely discussed and concerning topic in the pest control field. There is a growing public concern at the risk of secondary and non-target poisonings when rodenticides are used. As a pest control operator is it your responsibility to understand how rodenticides work and how to read their labels. This course discusses the common types of rodenticides, their appropriate application, the risks involved with the use of each type of rodenticide, and takes a look at specific label language.

3 hours: Other
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, nematodes, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food production; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of vegetable crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest infestations while protecting themselves and maintaining productive vegetable crop yields intended for human consumption.

1 hour: Other
Voles are known by a variety of names, meadow mice or field mice for example. Voles are rodents, meaning they like to chew on things, but they rarely enter structures and are primarily a pest in landscape settings. But they are often confused with mice by many homeowners. This course will cover the basics of vole identification, biology, and damage as well as several control methods including trapping and rodenticide use.