AUSTIN – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for Travis County will hold a private pesticide applicator training from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 27 at their office, located at 1600 B. Smith Road, Austin.
“If you are looking at getting control of prickly pear, cedar and other noxious weeds on your land, you may find that purchasing some pesticides requires that you have a license,” said Julie Ansley, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Travis County. “This is where a Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicators license for application of state-limit-use and restricted-use pesticides comes into play.”
Ansley said those needing a private applicator license must take a one-day course provided by AgriLife Extension. The course agenda includes instruction, lunch, study time and testing. Lunch is included.
“The course is required training, and once they have completed it, participants will take a 100-question exam administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture,” she said.
The course fee is $75 and there is an additional $60 fee for the license.
“Once you complete the course and pass the exam, you are eligible to apply for the license which is good for five years,” Ansley said.
Participants must preregister and pick up materials before class begins. To preregister, come by the AgriLife Extension office, pay the course fee and obtain study materials. Participants are asked to pay by check or money order made out to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service #280100-60020.
In order to maintain their private applicator license, licensees are required to obtain 15 continuing education credit hours over the five-year life of the license period, Ansley noted.
For more details, contact Sue Carrasco at 512-854-9610 or SACarrasco@ag.tamu.edu.
“We recommend that people contact us with any inquiries and register as soon as possible as we have a limited class size,” Ansley added.
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