Winter is always a good time to get caught up on continuing education and certifications. Since coming back from maternity leave, I’ve hit the ground running visiting with many of you at meetings and events. This time of year can be quite busy, but I find that it’s also a lot of fun to meet new people and catch up with past acquaintances.

We get many questions about pesticide applicator training – hopefully the information included here can help answer any questions or concerns you may have. This year, private pesticide and commercial pesticide applicator training will look much like it did last year.

Private pesticide applicator training

If your private applicator card expires Dec. 31, or you wish to obtain certification, you will need to take advantage of one of the following options below. There are three ways to obtain or renew a private pesticide applicator certification this year (choose one):

1. Take the online test via South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources: https://apps. sd.gov/doa/pwt/.

2. Take the online course via SDSU Extension. Registration is now available at https://extension.sdstate.edu/private-pesticide-applicator-training.

3. Join one of four live Zoom PAT session from 1:30 to 4:30 on either Jan. 12, Feb. 8, March 15, or April 6. Registration is now available at https://extension.sdstate.edu/private-pesticide-applicator-training.

Online testing remains an option as it has in the past. In lieu of the previous in-person private applicator training model, an online course option is being offered; this will require the user to register at the link listed above and complete a self-paced training.

If you prefer listening over testing or coursework, register and attend one Zoom webinar training in its entirety. For those who have limited/no access to internet, limited seating (to watch the live Zoom sessions) is available at SDSU Extension regional centers across the state.

Sign up early to ensure a seat; registration is available at https://extension.sdstate. edu/private-pesticide-applicator-training or by calling the regional center closest to you.

Postcards will be arriving from DANR to private applicators with expiring cards; keep an eye out for them. To check your certification status online visit https://apps.sd.gov/doa/ cat/privatesearch.aspx.

Commercial applicator information

Registration and renewal for South Dakota commercial applicators is open from Dec. 12 to Dec. 28, 2023. If your S.D. commercial certification categories expire on Feb. 28, you must do one of the following to renew (registration is required).

1. Attend a commercial recertification class by SDSU Extension online. Registration will be available soon at https://extension.sdstate.edu/ events.

2. Take an online course via SDSU Extension. Registration will be available soon at https://extension.sdstate.edu/ events.

3. Retake the South Dakota certification exam. For a list of proctored testing locations visit https://danr.sd.gov/ Agriculture/Inspection/ Pesticide/ApplicatorsDealers/ default.aspx.

If your S.D. commercial license(s) expire Feb. 28: 1. Log into SD DANR at https://apps. sd.gov/doa/ecat3/index.htm and submit payment to renew.

Should you qualify for reciprocity with a qualifying neighboring state, please submit a “reciprocity request” to sddaagronomy@state.sd.us.

Postcards will be arriving from DANR to commercial applicators with expiring cards. Keep an eye out for those postcards; you can check your certification status online at https:// apps.sd.gov/doa/cat/commercialsearch.aspx for commercial applicators.

Winter is a great time to get caught up on certifications and licensures.

Please take advantage of these opportunities before you need them this spring or the deadline passes. Have a safe and fun December.