Every aspect of life seems to be impacted by COVID-19. That includes pesticide certification training sessions that have been suspended, leaving a number of professional turf managers wondering how they are going to maintain a current applicator license. Fortunately, many states are making adjustments in light of the current health crisis, including extending deadlines to recertify or making arrangements for online self-study programs.

Superintendents in Iowa were pleased to recently learn that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has waived the deadline for pesticide applicators to renew their certification. Any Iowa applicator that was certified through December 31, 2019, can retain their status and has until December 31, 2020, to submit the testing or training required to renew a pesticide applicator certification. At this time, individuals in Iowa who did not possess an applicators license in 2019 will not be able to obtain one until testing centers reopen.

In Nebraska, the Pesticide Office has replaced in-person recertification sessions with a temporary online recertification method for commercial and noncommercial applicators. This online recertification training will be available for the remainder of the 2020 training season. They have also lowered the price of the online training module for first-time applicants.

Many other states have taken similar steps, but it is important to note that the exact policy will vary from state to state. Check with your respective state’s pesticide office to understand your options for keeping your applicator license current.