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. Sept. 24 at their office at 1600-B Smith Street, Austin.
“If you are looking at getting control of prickly pear, mesquite, cedar and 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.
“Those interested should preregister as soon as possible, as class size is limited,” she noted.
The training is followed by a 100-question exam administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
The course fee is $65 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 by Sept. 20 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.
To maintain their private applicator license, licensees must earn 15 continuing education units 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.
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