Individuals who apply Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) must be certified to do so under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticides Act (FIFRA) and the Wyoming Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1973. Amendments to FIFRA require that applicators be continually re-certified. Safety Education programs are conducted by the University of Wyoming Extension. Licensing is conferred by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA), which enforces FIFRA and the state act (statutes) in Wyoming.
A Private Pesticide Applicator is an individual sixteen (16) years of age or older who is licensed to apply or supervise the application of RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDES (RUP) to their own properties, either owned or leased, or who may apply restricted-use pesticides for other individuals on their properties, owned or leased either for no charge, or as an exchange of services, but not for pay, in the production of an agricultural commodity. Applicator classification is not related to either the amount of pesticides applied, or to the amount of acreage treated.
Application Fees
There are no license application fees for Private Applicators.
Licensing Options
- Self-Study and Take-Home Workbook see details below on required items.
- Self-Study and Proctored Exam. (List of county Extension offices https://www.uwyo.edu/uwe/county/)
- Complete a UW Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) — contact your county’s Extension office for more information. 2023 educational programs listed below.
Option 1. Self-Study and Take-Home Workbook
Steps to complete your license application:
- Download or Print the Core Manual
- Print the Private Applicator Workbook
- Print the Private Applicator License Application
- Read the Core manual
- Complete the take-home workbook by writing your answers to the questions in the workbook.
- Completely fill out the Private Applicator License Application
- Mail the a) Completed Take Home Workbook and b) the Private Applicator License Application to the
Wyoming Department of Agriculture Technical Services Division
2219 Carey Ave.
Cheyenne, WY 82002
OR 8. Electronically Scan and email the a) Completed Take Home Workbook and b) the Private Applicator License Application to the Wyoming Department of Agriculture at agrtshelpdesk@wyo.gov
Option 2. Self-Study and Proctored Exam
The training materials consist of these documents:
- Wyoming Pesticide Applicator Certification CORE manual (required). This document can be checked out from your local UW Extension Office, your local county library, or it can be ordered from UW Ag Communications (instructions below).
- UW Bulletins for Commercial and Private Applicator Education (recommended, not required). This document (referred to as the MP-124) can be checked out from your local UW Extension Office, or it can be ordered from UW Ag Communications
Steps to become certified a) Acquire and read the documents listed above; b) Contact your local UW Extension office and make an appointment to take the exam; c) Must pass the exam with 70% or better; d) Complete the WDA Private Applicator License Application; e) Allow UW Extension representative to photocopy your driver’s license; f) UW Extension will forward your application and drivers license information to the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.
The electronic Private Applicator EXAM is only available through your local UW Extension Office. It must be completed under the supervision of a UW proctor. The Exam is 50 questions, closed-book, no electronic devices allowed (including cell phones). Upon confirmation of passing the exam, by choosing this option, you will be issued a temporary license that will be accepted to purchase RUPs immediately.
Option 3. Complete a UW Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)
Steps to become certified a) Attend a local Pesticide Safety Education Program for Private Applicators session conducted by UW Extension; b) Complete the WDA Private Applicator License Application; c) UW Extension will forward the application to the WDA.
Private Applicator Education Program will consist of the following:
A minimum of two (2) hours of training is required to certify Wyoming private applicators. The training session format is as follows:
- An overview of the certification requirements for Wyoming private pesticide applicators.
- An overview of pesticide laws and regulations.
- Education programming on the use of pesticides that includes safety, handling, groundwater contamination, misuse, public concerns, and disposal.
- Educational programming on the safe use of pesticide equipment and calibration.
The balance of the educational program session is comprised of presentations developed by the Pesticide Applicator Training Coordinator. Electives may include such items as weed, insect, or disease control and could include presentations by specialists in the pesticide business such as Extension personnel, Weed & Pest Supervisors, or others involved with pesticides.
No exam. It will take at least two weeks to receive your license. You will not be able to purchase RUP’s until you receive your license.
2023 Private Applicator Pesticide Safety Education Programs (by county)
ALBANY COUNTY
3/1/23 • 1-5 PM
Albany County Fairgrounds, Activity Building
3520 South 3rd St., Laramie
Contact: Brian Sebade, (307) 721-2571
BIG HORN COUNTY
2/27/23 • 8 AM – Noon
Big Horn County Weed & Pest
4782 US Hwy 310, Gillette
Contact: Jeremiah Vardiman, (307) 754-8836
CAMPBELL COUNTY
3/9/23 • 12-4 PM
George Amos Memorial Building – Cottonwood Room
412 S. Gillette Ave., Gillette
Contact: Jaycie Arndt, (307) 673-2856
CROOK COUNTY
3/22/23 • 12-4 PM
Crook County Extension- Community Room
309 E. Cleveland St., Sundance
Contact: Jaycie Arndt, (307) 673-2856
3/23/23 • 12-4 PM
Greater Hulett Community Center
401 Sager Ave., Hulett
Contact: Jaycie Arndt, (307) 673-2856
3/24/23 • 12-4 PM
Moorcroft Town Center
103 S. Belle Fourche Ave., Moorcroft
Contact: Jaycie Arndt, (307) 673-2856
FREMONT COUNTY
3/9/23 • 9 AM – 1 PM
Dubois Community Center
712 Meckem St., Dubois
Contact: Chance Marshall, (307) 332-2363
3/16/23 • 9 AM – 1 PM
Lander Extension Office, Courthouse 3rd floor
450 N. 2nd St., Lander
Contact: Chance Marshall, (307) 332-2363
GOSHEN COUNTY
3/6/23 • 1-5 PM
Platte Valley Bank Meeting Room
2201 Main Street, Torrington
Contact: Brian Sebade, (307) 721-2571
LINCOLN COUNTY
3/14/23 • 1 PM
Afton Civic Center
150 S. Washington St., Afton
Contact Hudson Hill, (307) 885-3132
PARK COUNTY
3/1/23 • 8 AM – Noon
Fairgrounds Homesteader Hall
655 E. 5th St., Powell
Contact: Jeremiah Vardiman, (307) 754-8836
SHERIDAN COUNTY
3/21/23 • 12-4 PM
Sheridan County Extension Office
3401 Coffeen Ave., Sheridan
Contact: Jaycie Arndt, (307) 673-2856
SUBLETTE COUNTY
3/13/23 • 10 AM
Sublette County Extension Office
9660 Hwy. 191, Pinedale
Contact Hudson Hill, (307) 885-3132
SWEETWATER COUNTY
3/13/23 • 2 PM
Farson Community Center
4039 UW 191, Farson
Contact Hudson Hill, (307) 885-3132
UINTA COUNTY
3/23/23 • 1 PM
Mountain View Library
322 W. 2nd St., Mountain View
Contact Hudson Hill, (307) 885-3132
WASHAKIE COUNTY
3/15/23 • 9 AM
Washakie County Extension Office
1200 Culbertson Ave. #F, Worland
Contact: Caitlin Youngquist, (307) 347-3431
WESTON COUNTY
3/11/23 • 12-4 PM
Weston County Fairgrounds
24 Fairgrounds Rd., Newcastle
Contact: Jaycie Arndt, (307) 673-2856
How Do I Get the Required Training Manuals and Documents Mentioned Above?
1. CLICK AND DOWNLOAD OR PRINT THE FOLLOWING PDFS.
2. CHECK THEM OUT OR ORDER FROM UW EXTENSION
There will be a deposit required at check out. The deposit will be returned to you when the Wyoming Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual is returned to the Extension Office. If the manual and statutes are not returned prior to 30 days your deposit will be used to order replacements.
3. PURCHASE PRINTED COPIES
Print versions of the Wyoming Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual and the supplemental resource manual MP124 are available from UW Ag Communications and Technology. Print this Order Form, mail the completed form along with a check payable to UW Extension PSEP to the address listed on the form. We ask for $10 per manual to cover shipping. Or call (307) 766-5157 to order.
Re-certification
When Must I Be Re-certified?
Private applicator re-certification runs in five (5) year blocks of time and the license expires on April 30 after the fourth year of issue (for example, If your license is issued on October 15, 2015, it will expire on April 30, 2020). Your local Extension Educator can help you determine if your license has expired.
How Do I Become Re-certified?
When your license expires you will be required to complete one of the options under Licensing (above).
Most private applicators choose to attend the training session. Contact your UW Extension Office for more details on re-certification and training opportunities.
Reciprocal Licensing
Licensed private applicators from other states are not allowed a reciprocal license in Wyoming. A Wyoming Private applicators license is not valid in any other state.