Private Pesticide Applicator Certification
ATTENTION PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATORS
Do you know your Private Applicator Certification expiration date?
County Extension Offices will no longer send a letter alerting you of when your certification expires.
When is my Expiration Date?
Please check your card to identify when your certification expires. You can self-check your expiration date at: Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s website. If your name is not listed, then your certification has expired. If you are unable to check online, please contact either the UW PAT Program: 608-262-7588 or Rock County Extension Office at 608-757-5066 for help.
Not sure if you are a Commercial or Private applicator?
General Information
● Private Applicator: A person who applies restricted-use (pesticide label identifies) pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity AND pesticides are applied on property that they own or rent, or their employer owns or rents. If an applicator does not meet BOTH parts of the definition, they are considered commercial applicators. Examples of commercial applicators: Lawn care company or County Highway employee.
● Certification Validity: Certification is valid for 5 years.
● Certification Status Check: Applicators can check certification status here:
http://www.kellysolutions.com/WI/Applicators/index.asp.
● Notifying expiring license holders: The PAT Program notifies farmers with expiring certifications, but it’s the farmer’s responsibility to track their status.
Contact Information: For questions, contact patprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu,
608-262-7588, or 414-399-0373.
Visit the PAT Certification page for more information.
How do I get certification?
To become certified in Wisconsin you will:
1. Purchase a Manual. This can be done online at the PAT Store or by calling the PAT Store at 608-262-7588.
*Books are no longer available at County Extension offices.
2. Choose a Training Option.
A. For live training or zoom training with test, find a location near you click here.
B. For online self-guided General Farming training, click here (link coming soon)
C. Self-study using only your book
Local In-Person Training/Testing availability:
Jefferson County Extension – January 22, 2026
(Training location: Extension Office, 864 Collins Rd, Jefferson, WI 53549)
Rock County Extension – February 26 , 2026
(Training location: DWRC Building, 1717 Center Ave, Janesville, WI 52546)
Walworth County Extension – March 17, 2026
(Training location: Extension Office (Room 214), 100 W Walworth St, Elkhorn, WI 53121)
Alternative County and State-wide training/testing calendars can be found here.
Where do I take the test?
If you are not attending a live or zoom training session that includes testing, the Rock County Extension Office offers testing by appointment, January through April, every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
You must call the office at 608-757-5066 to schedule your test appointment.
*Self-study testing only, and you must purchase your book at the PAT Store prior to test.
Other local County testing schedules from January through April:
Jefferson County – every Wednesday (920-674-7295)
Walworth County – every 2nd and 4th Tuesday (262-741-4951)
Alternative County offices offering testing through Pearson Vue can be found here.
Here is a direct link to the Pearson Vue Testing Locations.
For further information, please refer to the PAT website here: UW PAT Program.
