STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma private applicators still have time to take advantage of educational opportunities they may need to meet state requirements to apply restricted-use, pest-control products.

“Oklahoma State University Extension is holding events in December and beyond that offer continuing education units accepted by the state,” said Todd Baughman, OSU Extension weed management specialist. “Private applicators who still need to earn educational credits this year should contact their OSU Extension county office to learn about scheduled events.”

Oklahoma private applicators are now required to take a computer-based test at one of eight PSI Services testing centers located throughout the state to receive their private applicators license.

Current private applicators have the option to attend qualifying educational seminars that provide CEUs rather than retest at one of the PSI centers. Earning required numbers of CEUs will allow private applicators to recertify without retesting in 2024.

“Many of our private applicators will need to collect 16 hours of pesticide CEUs between now and December 2023,” Baughman said. “Applicators may only earn a maximum of 10 CEUs in any one year and the credits must be approved by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry for category 1A. Staying on track from year to year is important.”

One venue offering CEU’s on Dec. 7 is the Lincoln County Extension Office. The 6-8 p.m. meeting will take place at the Lincoln County Courthouse, located at 811 Manvel Ave. in Chandler. The meeting is free. However, participants are asked to register no later than Dec. 6 by contacting Cody Linker, Lincoln County Extension agricultural educator, at cody.linker@okstate.edu or 405-258-0560.

“We’re still in the process of determining how many approved CEUs will be offered, but it will be at least two,” Linker said. “Staying up-to-date is important. I had private applicators say thanks for offering pest-control CEUs when they were dealing with armyworm incursions earlier this year. In their own words, they wouldn’t have been as well-equipped to deal with the situation without the educational component OSU Extension provides in cooperation with ODAFF.”

Facts sheets detailing research-based information about pest-control applications, management and regulations are available online and through OSU Extension county offices.