UK Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)

How To Become Certified

  1. Check the definitions in this list to see which applicator category fits the work you will be doing
  2. Download a copy of the appropriate training manual from the list below.
  3. Determine the most convenient testing location and date.

Category Manuals (PDF)

Initial Pesticide Certification - All Categories
Cat 1 Ag Plant
Cat 2 Forest
Cat 3 Turf & Ornamental
Cat 4 Seed Treatment
Cat 5 Aquatic Weeds
Cat 6 Right-of-Way (+ supplementary info)
Cat 7a/8 Structural Pest/Public Health
Cat 1b/7b Agricultural & Structural Fumigation
Cat 10 Demonstration & Research
Cat 11 Aerial Applicator
Cat 12 Pesticide Retail Sales Agent
Cat 15 Anti-Microbial
Cat 16 Sewer Root Control
Cat 17 Wood Preservation
Cat 18 Golf Course (+ supplementary info)
Cat 19 Interior Plantscape
Cat 20 Athletic Turf

Resources

Kentucky Pest News (KPN)

Entomology

Plant Pathology

Weed Science

Integrated Pest Management

CDMS Pesticide Labels / MSDS / SDS Database

Worker Protection Standards: How to Comply

Sprayer Nozzle Selection

Ky Endangered and Threatened Species by County

EPA Pesticides Page

EPA Region 4 Pesticides Contacts

EXTOXNET Pesticide Profiles

PSEP PROGRAM Coordinator

Ric Bessin
S-225 Ag Science North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
Phone: (859) 257-7450
Fax: (859) 323-1120
rbessin@email.uky.edu

This page provides resources for certified commercial / non-commercial and private pesticide applicators in the Commonwealth. Much of the information has been prepared or adapted by extension specialists in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Departments of Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science. It covers a variety of pests including insects, diseases, and weeds affecting field crops, greenhouse, fruits and vegetables, lawn and turf, shade trees and ornamentals, structural & household, forests, rights-of-ways, and other situations.

The Pesticide Safety Education Program in Kentucky is a joint effort between:

  • University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment Department of Entomology 
    UK Entomology provides training packets and developes educational programs.
    S-225 Ag Science Building, North 
    University of Kentucky
    Lexington, KY 40546-0091
    (859) 257-7450
  • Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) Division of Environmental Services
    KDA Division of Environmental Services oversees pesticide regulation for the state of Kentucky. They provide compliance assisstant, manage private and commerical pesticide certifications for businesses and individuals, and enforcement pesticide laws. 
    107 Corporate Drive
    Frankfort, KY 40601
    (502) 573-0282
    Toll Free (866) 289-0001

Certification Information, Testing, & Approved Continuing Education Meetings

Info for Certified Private Applicators

Online Study Chapters & Interactive Quizes

Initial Pesticide Certification (All Categories)

Laws and Regulations
Pesticide Labels & Labeling
Pesticide Formulations
Pesticide Hazards & First Aid
Personal Protective Equipment
Pesticides & The Environment 
Pesticide Drift
Transporting & Storing Pesticides
Planning a Pesticide Application
Dealing with Pesticide Emergencies & Spills
How Pesticides Work

Cat 1: Ag Pest Control, 10 - Demo & Research, 12 - Pesticide Retail Sales

Pests
Application Equipment
Demonstration & Research Design (Cat 10 only)
Managing Pesticide Resistance

Cat 2: Forest Pest Control

Management Principles
Vegetation
Insects
Diseases
Abiotic Factors
Herbicide Application

Cat 3: Turf & Ornamental, 18 Golf Course, & 20 Athletic Turf

Laws and Regulations
Weeds
Fundamentals of Plant Disease
Diseases of Ornamentals
Diseases of Turf
Insect, Mite, and Miscellaneous Pests of Turf and Ornamentals
Application Equipment

Cat 5: Aquatic Weed Control

Weeds in Water
Aquatic Weed Identification
Control Methods
Environmental Concerns

Cat 6: Right-of-Way Pest Control

Right-of-Way Pest Control

Cat 7 & 8 Structural & Public Health

The Licensed Pest Control (LPCO) Exam is comprehensive; no single source includes all of the information covered on the test. The Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations (available online or through Pest Management Professional Magazine) is probably the best overall reference text for the written test. The National Pest Management Association's Field Guide to Structural Pests contains lots of pictures so it is a very good reference for the identification part of the exam. It is available in hardcopy and as a phone app through the NPMA.

Definitions
Cockroaches
Fleas and Ticks
Mosquitoes
Lice, Mites, and Bed Bugs
Rodents
Wasps, Hornets, Yellowjackets, & Spiders
General Pests
Wood Destroying Organisms

Cat 1b/7b: Agricultural and Structural Fumigation

Laws and Regulations
Deciding to Fumigate
Example Fumigants
Fumigation Operations
Fumigation Safety
Target Pests
General Practices

Cat 17: Wood Preservatives

Introduction
Preparing Wood for Treatment
Applying Preservatives
Preservative Pesticides
Human Health & Safety
Protecting the Environment
Wood-destroying Organisms

Cat 19: Interior Plantscapes

Diagnosis and Evaluation
Plant Selection
Abiotic Disorders
Disease Management 
Insect Pests
IPM Tactics
Pesticide Application