Pesticide Training & Recertification
The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) approves all trainings for pesticide applicators and dealers regardless of location and license type. Generally, over 400 trainings are approved for Continuing Education Credits (CEs) each year. Some are sponsored by MDA, many are sponsored by industry, professional organizations, online training institutions, universities, and more.
Testing for Montana Pesticide Applicators
The Montana Department of Agriculture offers free pesticide applicator examinations proctored at our seven field offices around the state. Applicators are encouraged to work with staff at their local MDA Field Office to arrange a testing time.
MDA Pesticide Program Newsletters
MDA Self-paced Initial Core Training
After registering, allow at least one day for the link to send. If you register on a Friday or holiday, the link will be sent the following business day. No refunds.
For more information contact: 406.444.3732
This training is for Montana pesticide applicators and dealers. Initial Core Training is on pesticide safety and regulations and requirements for every certified applicator. This course is meant to provide training for initial certification. Recertification credits will not be available for attendance at this training. **Valid email is required for online training .
Course Fee: $50 (includes National Core manual and initial core packet)
NOTE: Core training is the foundational test for all licenses. Applicators also require successful testing in at least one category specific classification. For a list of classifications go to Pesticide-License-Program
MDA In Person Initial Core Training
IN-PERSON INITIAL CORE PESTICIDE TRAINING
Spring 2025
Overview: The Montana Department of Agriculture is sponsoring a three-day training designed for those interested in becoming a commercial, non-commercial, or governmental pesticide applicator and/or a pesticide dealer. The training is designed to prepare participants for the National Core Exam in Montana, provide hands-on-exercises, discuss licensing requirements, and learn about available resources. It is intended to provide training for initial certification only.*
The National Core Exam will be proctored on the 3 rd day of the training. Testing is optional, but highly recommended. Reviewing the core manual and passing the subsequent exam with at least an 80% score will allow individuals to obtain their dealers license and is the first step to obtaining a commercial, non-commercial, government, or public utility applicators license. To obtain an applicators license individuals must also pass at least one category specific exam relating to the sites in which they will be working. If you are interested in taking a category specific exam at the conclusion of the Core training, please contact us ahead of time.**
Cost: $75 which includes snacks and the core manual. Upon registration, the core manual and an agenda will be mailed to participants.
Times: Training at each location will begin at 8AM daily and end at 5PM, the first 2 days, and 8AM to noon the 3 rd day. Participants will be given an hour for lunch.
*Recertification credits will not be available for attendance at these trainings.
**For a list of category classifications go to Commercial Applicators OR Governmental Applicators
For more information, please contact us at 406-444-3732.
Dates and Locations:
- February 26 – 28, 2025 – Belgrade
Holiday Inn Express
Address: 309 W Madison Ave, Belgrade, MT 59714
Phone: (406) 388-7100
- March 12 – 14, 2025 – Missoula
Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Missoula – Edgewater
Address: 100 Madison St, Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406)728-3100
- March 26 – 28, 2025 – Billings
Hampton Inn Billings
Address: 5110 Southgate Dr, Billings, MT 59101
Phone:(406) 532-5300
- April 9 – 11, 2025 – Great Falls
Great Falls College MSU
Address: 2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
Phone: (406) 771-4300
MDA Recertification Training - In person
Overview - Vertebrate Pest Workshops
The Montana Department of Agriculture and five Montana State University Extension offices throughout the state are hosting vertebrate pest workshops to train producers, landowners, and pesticide applicators how to identify and manage damage caused by vertebrate pests. Through a combination of presentations and field experience, attendees will learn how to correctly identify the problem pest, determine an action threshold, and implement control measures. Each date/location below, lists pests that will be addressed at specific workshop locations.
Dates, Locations, and Continuing Education Credits
May 7, 2025
Sanders County – Thompson Falls
This class (8AM-3PM) will focus on Columbian ground squirrels, voles, pocket gophers, rock chucks, elk and deer. Lunch is included and there is a cost of $12, which will be collected at the workshop.
| Education | Credits |
|---|---|
| 10 - Dealer | 6 |
| 32 - Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control | 6 |
| 33 - Forest Pest Control | 6 |
| 34 - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control | 6 |
| 39 - Demonstration & Research Pest Control | 6 |
| 45 - School IPM | 6 |
| 54 - Rodent | 6 |
| 60 - Private Agricultural Pest Control | 6 |
May 8, 2025
Powell County – Deer Lodge
This class (8AM-1PM) will focus on ground squirrels and birds. Lunch is included and there is no cost.
| Education | Credits |
| 10 - Dealer | 5 |
| 32 - Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control | 5 |
| 33 - Forest Pest Control | 5 |
| 34 - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control | 5 |
| 39 - Demonstration & Research Pest Control | 5 |
| 45 - School IPM | 5 |
| 54 - Rodent | 5 |
| 60 - Private Agricultural Pest Control | 5 |
May 13, 2025
Fallon County - Baker
This class (8AM-3PM) will focus on pocket gophers, prairie dog management, and BMP’s to decrease coyote pressure. Lunch is included and there is no cost.
| Education | Credits |
|---|---|
| 10 - Dealer | 6 |
| 32 - Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control | 6 |
| 33 - Forest Pest Control | 6 |
| 34 - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control | 6 |
| 39 - Demonstration & Research Pest Control | 6 |
| 43 - Sodium Cyanide (M-44) | 1 |
| 45 - School IPM | 6 |
| 51 - Preditor | 1 |
| 54 - Rodent | 6 |
| 60 - Private Agricultural Pest Control | 6 |
| 63 - Private Sodium cyanide (M-44) | 1 |
May 14, 2025
Yellowstone County – Billings
This class (8AM-3PM) will focus on prairie dogs, pocket gophers, rabbits, and coyotes. Lunch is included and there is no cost.
| Education | Credits |
|---|---|
| 10 - Dealer | 6 |
| 32 - Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control | 6 |
| 33 - Forest Pest Control | 6 |
| 34 - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control | 6 |
| 39 - Demonstration & Research Pest Control | 6 |
| 43 - Sodium Cyanide (M-44) | 1 |
| 45 - School IPM | 6 |
| 51 - Preditor | 1 |
| 54 - Rodent | 6 |
| 60 - Private Agricultural Pest Control | 6 |
| 63 - Private Sodium cyanide (M-44) | 1 |
May 15, 2025
Gallatin County – Bozeman
This class (8AM-3PM) will focus on pocket gophers, prairie dog management, and BMP’s to decrease coyote pressure. Lunch is included and there is a cost of $20, which will be collected at the workshop.
| Education | Credits |
|---|---|
| 10 - Dealer | 6 |
| 32 - Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control | 6 |
| 33 - Forest Pest Control | 6 |
| 34 - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control | 6 |
| 39 - Demonstration & Research Pest Control | 6 |
| 45 - School IPM | 6 |
| 54 - Rodent | 6 |
| 60 - Private Agricultural Pest Control | 6 |
MDA Recertification Webinar Series
MDA Self-paced Online Recertification Courses
Note: The cost for each self-paced online recertification course is $20. After registering, allow at least one day for the link to send. If you register on a Friday or holiday, the link will be sent the following business day. No refunds.
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
35-Seed Treatment (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
55- Regulatory Weed (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
45-School IPM (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
21-Aerial (1)
30-Agricultural Plant Pest Control (1)
33-Forest Pest Control (1)
34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
37-Right of Way Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
44-Special Utility (1)
45-School IPM (1)
55-Regulatory Weed (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
21-Aerial (1)
30-Agricultural Plant Pest Control (1)
31-Agricultural Animal Pest Control (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
33-Forest Pest Control (1)
34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
35-Seed Treatment (1)
36-Aquatic Pest Control (1)
37-Right of Way Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
41-Wood Treatment (1)
42-Livestock Protection Collar (1)
43-Sodium Cyanide (M-44) (1)
44-Special Utility (1)
45-School IPM (1)
46-Piscicide (1)
50-Mosquito Abatement (1)
51-Predator (1)
54-Rodent (1)
55-Regulatory Weed (1)
56a-Sewer Treatment (1)
56b-Animal Contraceptive Vac. (1)
56c-Biocide Treatment (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
61-Private Aquatic Pest Control (1)
62-Private Livestock Protection Collar (1)
63-Private Sodium cyanide (M-44) (1)
10-Dealer (1)
21-Aerial (1)
30-Agricultural Plant Pest Control (1)
31-Agricultural Animal Pest Control (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
33-Forest Pest Control (1)
34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
35-Seed Treatment (1)
36-Aquatic Pest Control (1)
37-Right of Way Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
41-Wood Treatment (1)
42-Livestock Protection Collar (1)
43-Sodium Cyanide (M-44) (1)
44-Special Utility (1)
45-School IPM (1)
46-Piscicide (1)
50-Mosquito Abatement (1)
51-Predator (1)
54-Rodent (1)
55-Regulatory Weed (1)
56a-Sewer Treatment (1)
56b-Animal Contraceptive Vac. (1)
56c-Biocide Treatment (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
61-Private Aquatic Pest Control (1)
62-Private Livestock Protection Collar (1)
63-Private Sodium cyanide (M-44) (1)
21 - Aerial (1)
31 - Agricultural Animal Pest Control (1)
30 - Agricultural Plant Pest Control (1)
36 - Aquatic Pest Control (1)
39 - Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
33 - Forest Pest Control (1)
40 - Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
50 - Mosquito Abatement (1)
34 - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
46 - Piscicide (1)
38 - Public Health Pest Control (1)
55 - Regulatory Weed (1)
37 - Right of Way Pest Control (1)
45 - School IPM (1)
35 - Seed Treatment (1)
44 - Special Utility (1)
41 - Wood Treatment (1)
10 - Dealer (1)
60 - Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
61 - Private Aquatic Pest Control (1)
56a - Sewer Treatment (1)
56c - Biocide Treatment (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
51-Predator (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
54-Rodent (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
10-Dealer (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
0-Dealer (1)
21-Aerial (1)
30-Agricultural Plant Pest Control (1)
31-Agricultural Animal Pest Control (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
33-Forest Pest Control (1)
34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
35-Seed Treatment (1)
36-Aquatic Pest Control (1)
37-Right of Way Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
41-Wood Treatment (1)
42-Livestock Protection Collar (1)
43-Sodium Cyanide (M-44) (1)
44-Special Utility (1)
45-School IPM (1)
46-Piscicide (1)
50-Mosquito Abatement (1)
51-Predator (1)
54-Rodent (1)
55-Regulatory Weed (1)
56a-Sewer Treatment (1)
56b-Animal Contraceptive Vac. (1)
56c-Biocide Treatment (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
61-Private Aquatic Pest Control (1)
62-Private Livestock Protection Collar (1)
63-Private Sodium cyanide (M-44) (1)
10-Dealer (1)
21-Aerial (1)
30-Agricultural Plant Pest Control (1)
31-Agricultural Animal Pest Control (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
33-Forest Pest Control (1)
34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
35-Seed Treatment (1)
36-Aquatic Pest Control (1)
37-Right of Way Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
41-Wood Treatment (1)
42-Livestock Protection Collar (1)
43-Sodium Cyanide (M-44) (1)
44-Special Utility (1)
45-School IPM (1)
46-Piscicide (1)
50-Mosquito Abatement (1)
51-Predator (1)
54-Rodent (1)
55-Regulatory Weed (1)
56a-Sewer Treatment (1)
56b-Animal Contraceptive Vac. (1)
56c-Biocide Treatment (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
61-Private Aquatic Pest Control (1)
62-Private Livestock Protection Collar (1)
63-Private Sodium cyanide (M-44) (1)
10-Dealer (1)
21-Aerial (1)
30-Agricultural Plant Pest Control (1)
31-Agricultural Animal Pest Control (1)
32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
33-Forest Pest Control (1)
34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
35-Seed Treatment (1)
36-Aquatic Pest Control (1)
37-Right of Way Pest Control (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
41-Wood Treatment (1)
42-Livestock Protection Collar (1)
43-Sodium Cyanide (M-44) (1)
44-Special Utility (1)
45-School IPM (1)
46-Piscicide (1)
50-Mosquito Abatement (1)
51-Predator (1)
54-Rodent (1)
55-Regulatory Weed (1)
56a-Sewer Treatment (1)
56b-Animal Contraceptive Vac. (1)
56c-Biocide Treatment (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
61-Private Aquatic Pest Control (1)
62-Private Livestock Protection Collar (1)
63-Private Sodium cyanide (M-44) (1)
MDA Self-paced Initial Category Training - Coming Soon
EPA - Approved Training Modules
Initial category preparatory courses are available at the Certified Training Institute and are intended to help prepare for category exams. Right-of-Way/Regulatory Weed, Ornamental and Turf, Mosquito Control, Wood-Destroying Pest, and General Structural Pest available.
Right-of-Way/Regulatory Weed
Ornamental and Turf
Mosquito Control
Wood-Destroying Pest
General Structural Pest
Worker Protection Standards
The WPS protects employees on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses from occupational exposure to agricultural pesticides and covers two types of employees.
What type of Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Training must you Provide?
