Washington Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Courses

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
Annual bluegrass has historically been an important weed of many, if not most, commodity and specialty crops. The extensive reliance upon herbicides as the primary means of control has led to an almost overwhelming presence of herbicide resistance. This course will discuss the currently reported cases of annual bluegrass resistance to various herbicides and how to develop an effective herbicide program. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
When pesticide applications become necessary for good turf management, it's important to understand how the application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course will provide turf managers with an understanding of the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on turf and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
Aquatic ecosystems are extremely complex and fragile. This course covers the many aspects necessary for managing aquatic pests, from site evaluation and pest identification to pesticide application and treatment evaluation. Risk communication strategies are included, along with a variety of control methods in addition to aquatic pesticides. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
2 credits: Weed Control
Managing aquatic weeds revolves around proper plant identification. Tailoring management strategies to address specific aquatic plant life is only possible through accurate identification. This course teaches the basics of aquatic weed identification and the different approaches to aquatic plant management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
2 credits: Weed Control
This course covers the importance of honey bees, details honey bee decline statistics, and outlines the strategies that can be implemented to coordinate the efforts of farmers, beekeepers, and applicators to find a balance between managing pests and protecting pollinators. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
This course focuses on the use of cage and box traps in the management of vertebrate pests in both urban and suburban environments. Best practices surrounding appropriate traps for target animals, effective baits, and safe and humane use of traps will be outlined. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
Proper application of pesticides and fertilizers on turfgrass is only possible with accurately calibrated equipment. These lessons discuss the calibration of three types of application equipment: handheld or back-pack pump-up sprayers, large acreage sprayers, and fertilizer or “dry-granular” spreaders as well as several different calibration techniques. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
This course teaches Washington pest managers how to identify and control common interior and exterior pests that can infect people, infest stored food, or cause property damage. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
Pest management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps from growing a healthy plant that is more resistant to pest damage to correctly identifying the problem when present. This course will cover the most common pests of ornamental plants. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
This course teaches Washington pest managers how to identify and control common interior and exterior pests that can infect people, infest stored food, or cause property damage. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
Managing weeds in a turf stand can be a tricky proposition. Often times the client fails to recognize that the presence of weeds in a turf stand is the result of poor turf, not the cause. This course will provide applicators with a working knowledge of weed biology, weed identification, and how herbicides work. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
Unwanted birds can pose a problem for applicators and their clients. Some people love to feed the birds and spend hours watching birds. Once birds have become established in an area they can be difficult to control or deter. Though this course will focus on the control and management of unprotected birds, some of the techniques covered will help with the management of protected birds when a permit is issued. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
3 credits: Weed Control
This course discusses managing pests in aquatic environments. It contains extensive plant identification, discussing common weed types and species. Other pests, such as insects or birds, are also covered. In addition, this course explains a variety of control methods, outlining how to use pesticides safely and the necessary first aid for any exposure. Finally, calibration of equipment is explained and example scenarios are explored. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
Turf responds best to consistent cultural practices including mowing, irrigating, and fertilizing. But as turf managers know, there is a right way and a wrong way to do these. This course covers the dos and don'ts of good cultural practices that will result in a healthy vigorous turf that will be enjoyed for years. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
This course is intended for pesticide applicators in Washington who work in interior plant environments. It covers pesticide safety protocols, Integrated Pest Management for interiorscapes, indoor plant health strategies, and more. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
Pesticides are a key factor in pest management but it is important to understand what happens to those pesticides after the application. This course will review some key characteristics of environmental factors that can affect how pesticides move and degrade in the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
This topic, while not often talked about, is something that everyone in wildlife control has to deal with. It is one of those unmentionables, but we need to talk about it in detail because it’s something you’re going to need to encounter if you’re going to be a full-fledged wildlife control operator. This course will cover methods for euthanizing animals, ways to dispose of the deceased animal, and pitfalls to avoid to maintain public relations and appearance. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
Pesticides are regulated to utilize their benefits while protecting public health and welfare and preventing harm to the environment. This course addressed the federal pesticide laws that control the labeling, sale and distribution, storage, transportation, use, and disposal in the best public interest. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

5 credits: Recertification
2 credits: Weed Control
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food, feed, and fiber productions; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of field crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest invasions while protecting themselves and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
This course focuses on the use of fumigants to effectively control burrowing animals. Students will learn about different fumigation devices and products, and how best to comply with label restrictions to protect both non-targets and applicators from harm. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: Recertification
This course explains how integrated pest management strategies help protect Washington forests. Lessons go over methods for protecting non-target organisms, minimizing pesticide’s impact on water sources, and managing pesticide resistance. Other topics include insect management, sprayer operation and maintenance, weed control and more. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
Washington pest control professionals who finish this online course will understand safe and effective methods for managing common pests found in forest environments. Lessons cover a wide variety of topics like pesticide-mixing safety, integrated pest management, greenhouse plant fumigation, and more. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

5 credits: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, nematodes, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food productions, and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of fruit crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest infestations while protecting themselves and maintaining productive fruit crop yields intended for human consumption. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
This course provides a basic understanding of how fungicides work, and the basics of collecting plant material samples for testing pathogens. Fungal spores, germination, plant appearance, infections, fungicide mechanism, collection techniques, and collection dos and don'ts are all discussed. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
As certified or licensed professionals we have legal responsibilities that we must fulfill in every job that we do. Not only do have to control pests, but we also have to do the paperwork and legwork that documents our applications. This course reviews the basics of general structural pest management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
If you do not diagnose the problem correctly you will spend a lot of time treating something that is not there. Identify correctly and gather evidence and determine the extent of potential problems. This course will cover the basics of what to look for while inspecting a structure that has potentially been invaded by wildlife. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
IPM of ornamental plants involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for ornamental plants, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive landscape. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
Termites are one of the most destructive pests in the United States. But there are several common-sense IPM practices that can be implemented to make a structure less inviting to termites from the start. This course will provide a review of IPM principles, termite biology, and several IPM practices to make any structure less attractive to termites. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
As a turf manager, you'll need to be more than someone who just applies pesticides. Good turf management requires the use of all the tools in the toolbox. This course will touch on the best practice cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls for turf management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
This Effective Pesticide Applications in Landscape and Turf Settings course discusses benefits and considerations for pesticide applicators in Washington who want to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Topics include a variety of pest-management methods, such as augmentation, sanitation, mechanical and cultural control, and pesticide use. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
Beavers are protected and beneficial to the ecosystem and habitats of other animals. Managing them requires careful consideration and knowledge of state laws and permits. This course will cover common behaviors and habitat construction. It will also cover many non-lethal methods of control and requirements and ways to effectively trap beavers. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
The site of a fresh mound of soil in an otherwise manicured lawn or alfalfa field can be enough to send a landowner into a tizzy. Pocket gophers can be devastating to both lawns and agricultural fields if they are not properly controlled. The damage caused by pocket gophers can sometimes be confused with either moles or ground squirrels. This course will cover the basics of pocket gopher management including biology, damage, trapping, and toxicant use. This course must be completed by 12/31/24
The Mazama Pocket Gopher is a protected species in the state of Washington. Consult the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife for more information before implementing management strategies.

1 credit: Recertification
Woodchucks are also known as whistle pigs or groundhogs. Woodchucks are basically the building contractors for many animals in the wildlife kingdom because of the holes they dig. This course will discuss the control and management of woodchucks. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
One of the challenges with house mice is that clients don't take house mice seriously. It's amazing how people will move heaven and earth when rats are around, but when it comes to mice they will simply say "oh, it's just a mouse!" This course will help educate applicators on the risks of allowing house mice to remain in a structure. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
Moles can be the bane of a well-kept lawn. But is it really a mole? Moles, voles, shrews, and pocket gopher damage can look the same to the untrained eye. This course covers the physiological differences between moles and other look-alike vertebrate pests, trapping techniques, and toxicant options. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
3 credits: Weed Control
This course is for agricultural pesticide applicators who want to become certified as commercial or public applicators of restricted-use pesticides for the control of natural areas. It outlines various invasive weeds in natural areas and how an applicator should go about treating natural areas with respect to wildlife and the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
When pesticide applications become necessary for good ornamental plant management it's important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on ornamental plants, the way to calculate the volume of solution needed, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.  This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
Wearing PPE can reduce exposure (dermal, inhalation, ocular, or oral) and thereby lower the chances of pesticide injury, illness, or poisoning. It is important that all pesticide applicators and handlers understand the protections and limitations of PPE. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
Enroll in this course to learn safe, effective, and economical pest control methods. Learn how to manage pests that can cause property damage, infect people, or affect the quality of life while minimizing risks to yourself, others, and the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
This course teaches pest control specialists in Washington how to control the diverse pests that threaten landscape, turf, and interiorscape settings. Lessons focus on identifying and managing invertebrate and vertebrate pests as well as weeds and plant pathogens. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
A pest is an undesirable organism that injures humans, desirable plants and animals, manufactured products, or natural substances. This course will discuss the importance of pest identification in pest control, describe how pest population levels trigger control procedures, and give several reasons why pesticide applications may fail. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
Pesticides may be applied as sprays, dusts, granules, gases (vapors), fogs, baits, rubs, or dips and require the correct equipment for the pesticide as well as the job size and type. In addition, you must properly select, operate, calibrate, and maintain your equipment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
This course shows Washington pest managers how to protect people and the environment from pesticide hazards and emergencies. Safe, legal use of pesticides starts with a management plan and an evaluation of pesticide alternatives. Learn how to make careful pesticide choices from start to finish. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
Pesticides are formulated to make them safer or easier to use. There are many formulations available for various pest control sites and situations and it is important that applicators choose the best one for the job. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
Pesticides are designed to be toxic so they can control pests (e.g., plants, insects, rodents, fungi, and bacteria) while not harming non-target organisms and anyone else exposed to the product. Pesticide users need to be concerned with the hazards associated with exposure to the chemical and not just the toxicity of the pesticide. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
The pesticide label is the main method of communication between a pesticide manufacturer and pesticide users. By law, pesticide users are required to comply with all instructions and use directions found on the pesticide product label. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
Pesticide labels and safety data sheets (SDS) appear to contain much of the same information. While the label is the law, an SDS is not considered the law. As an applicator, it is important to understand the difference between a pesticide label and a safety data sheet and know what information can be found in each document. This course will review the various parts of pesticide labels and safety data sheets to identify the similarities and differences. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
Applicators and the public share concerns about how pesticides may harm the environment. Initially, hazards to humans were the primary reason the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided to classify a pesticide as a restricted-use product. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
Before beginning a pesticide application, you should know how to select the right pesticide for the job, review the label, test for pesticide compatibility before mixing, select personal protective equipment, transfer pesticides safely, and clean up after an application. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit:  Weed Control
This course provides an outline of the primary concerns of the bee-keeping industry including colony collapse disorder (CCD), factors affecting honey bee decline, invasive insects, fungal disease, best practices for pollinator stewardship, and minimizing pesticide risks for pollinators. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
2 credits:  Weed Control
Labels are increasing in complexity and depth of information. It is never suggested that anyone try to memorize a pesticide label. By reviewing parts of a label and recognizing label language and use, we hope that you feel more comfortable with the information on pesticide labels and feel confident in understanding the information the present. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
When the pesticide label requires a respirator it's important to know how to use a respirator safely. This course outlines the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
This course teaches Washington pest managers how to protect forests from pests while also protecting the natural environment, its inhabitants and humans from pesticide hazards. Learn important techniques for broadcast sprayers, banding calibration and application methods. Discover the personal protective equipment (PPE) that employers must make available to pest managers. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
This course teaches Washington pest managers how to recognize the toxic hazards of pesticides and ways to minimize exposure to humans and the environment. Understanding pesticide classification and designations helps ensure safe pesticide application. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: Recertification
4 credits: Weed Control
This course will review the methods and techniques to manage vegetation on right-of-ways and non-cropland industrial sites safely without damage to non-target species, sites, objects, or the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Recertification
An animal with a backbone or spinal column is called a vertebrate. A few vertebrates, such as rats and mice, are common pests in urban and industrial areas. Others are not pests in their normal habitats but may occasionally become pests when they conflict with humans. This course looks at basic management of common vertebrate pests. Be sure to understand all the regulations that apply in your geographic area before attempting to control vertebrate pests. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
In the last ten years, there has been a resurgence of treated seed use, largely due to the advent of improved chemical performance. We as agricultural producers are obviously concerned about the more modern applications of these processes. This course outlines the benefits and risks associated with treated seed products. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
This course will discuss the lifecycle and biology of skunks, habitat modification to discourage skunks from taking up residence, trapping tips and techniques, the basics of rodenticide use, and the basics of euthanizing if allowable by law. It is important to be familiar with state and local laws regarding skunk management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
Having a clear understanding of the hierarchy of insect classification is important. It helps us better understand the background of our pest decide the best course of action in controlling the pest. This course will cover some of the structure infesting pests commonly encountered by structural pesticide applicators and technicians. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
As a pest control technician, it's important to be familiar with the pests in the region as well as where they reproduce. In some cases, it is difficult to determine if the designated living space is inside or outside. This course covers the identification and management of pests that generally live outside but will invade a structure if the conditions are favorable. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
This course discusses safety and security issues that may arise when pesticides are moved or stored, under what conditions uncertified people can make applications of restricted use products, and how to communicate these issues with customers. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
1 credit: Weed Control
There are a variety of diseases, disorders, insects, and vertebrate pests that can cause problems in turfgrass. This course will give applicators and turf managers an overview of these common pests and strategies for their management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
Rodenticides are becoming a widely discussed and concerning topic in the pest control field. There is a growing public concern at the risk of secondary and non-target poisonings when rodenticides are used. As a pest control operator is it your responsibility to understand how rodenticides work and how to read their labels. This course discusses the common types of rodenticides, their appropriate application, the risks involved with the use of each type of rodenticide, and takes a look at specific label language. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Recertification
2 credits: Weed Control
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, nematodes, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food production; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of vegetable crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest infestations while protecting themselves and maintaining productive vegetable crop yields intended for human consumption. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
Voles are known by a variety of names, meadow mice or field mice for example. Voles are rodents, meaning they like to chew on things, but they rarely enter structures and are primarily a pest in landscape settings. But they are often confused with mice by many homeowners. This course will cover the basics of vole identification, biology, and damage as well as several control methods including trapping and rodenticide use. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Recertification
This course covers a range of mosquito-borne diseases with an emphasis on the Zika virus. Zika's extent, side effects, testing, and diagnostics are detailed along with protection and reduction techniques of mosquitoes to minimize the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. This course must be completed by 12/31/24