Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT)
Welcome to the University of Wisconsin- Madison, Division of Extension
Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) program!
The following pertains only to Private Pesticide Applicators. If you are a Commercial Pesticide Applicator, please click Commercial Applicator for more information.
Private Applicators are defined as a person who applies pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity and pesticides are applied on property that is owned or rented by you or your employer owns or rents.
Manuals can NOT be purchased from the County Extension Offices as they had been in the past. You can order online through the link below at the PAT Store or by a Mail Order Form and pay by check. No phone orders are taken.
You must purchase your training manual before testing from the PAT Store: https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/home
Manuals are $43 each. Subcategories are $20 each in addition to the manual. And if you choose an in-person training, it is an additional $10.
You can become certified in the following ways:
Option 1: Self-Study Training
This is a self-paced study. Once you receive your manual, you study on your own.
When you are ready, you contact our office to set up an exam time during office hours. Exam lasts 2 hours.
Score required: 70% or higher
Option 2: Online Training
This is a self-paced online training. Once you have received your manual and link from the PAT Store, you will have 14 days to complete the training.
At the completion, you will receive a certificate. This certificate MUST be shown at your testing time to the proctor.
When you are ready, contact our office to set up an exam time during office hours. Exam lasts 2 hours.
Score required: 50%
Option 3: Zoom Training
These webinars will cover the same material as in-person sessions. You will receive a Zoom invite a few days before the webinar. Manual purchase is required before attending.
Registration is required to attend and there is a completion certificate. This certificate MUST be shown at your testing time to the proctor.
When you are ready, contact our office to set up an exam time during office hours. Exam lasts 2 hours.
Score required: 50%
Option 4: In-Person Training
This is an in-person training with a general review of the material in your manual. Manual purchase is required before attending. Registration is required as seating is limited.
At the end of the in-person training session, the exam will be given. Exam lasts 2 hours.
Score required: 50%
Which counties will be giving the Private Applicator Tests for In-Person Training? County Testing Sites
For more detailed information, please visit the University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training Program.
If you have any questions or to schedule your exam, please contact our office at: (608) 647-6148.
