Serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky

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.


calendar with date circled and Exam

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.

core manual cover

MDA Self-paced Initial Core Training

After registering, allow at least one day for the link to be sent. If you register on a Friday or holiday, the link will be sent the following business day. No refunds.

Online Registration

For more information contact: 406.444.3732

This training is for Montana pesticide applicators and dealers. Initial Core Training is on pesticide safety, regulations, and requirements for every certified applicator. This course is intended 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 the Pesticide License Program .

shaking hands

MDA In Person Initial Core Training

IN-PERSON Initial Core Training information for 2027 will be available in January of 2027. Please check back then for dates, locations, and registration details!

Stephen Vantassel presenting

MDA Recertification Training - In person

Please check back in August of 2026 for our in-person fall recertification training offerings.

webinar blocks

MDA Recertification Webinar Series

Please join us for a FREE 1-hour presentation as Stephen Vantassel, the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Vertebrate Pest Specialist, teaches about prairie rattlesnake identification, envenomation, with an emphasis on how to avoid being bitten and how to reduce conflicts with snakes.

* Please note there will NOT be continuing education credits available for licensed Montana pesticide applicators.

WHEN:  Wednesday, June 24th at 12pm (noon)

HOW:  You must register in advance by using either the link or QR code below. Upon registration, the webinar will be sent to your email.

Link:  bit.ly/rattle26     OR     by QR code:   Rattlesnake_Webinar_20260624.jpg

Please call Beth Thomas at 406-438-0097 with any questions.

Iphone and Laptop banner

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 be sent. If you register on a Friday or holiday, the link will be sent the following business day. No refunds.

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60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)

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39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
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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)

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32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
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60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)

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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)

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32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
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60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)

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34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control (1)
37-Right of Way Pest Control (1)
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39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
44-Special Utility (1)
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55-Regulatory Weed (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)

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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)

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10-Dealer (1)
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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)

Registration

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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)
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60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)
61-Private Aquatic Pest Control (1)
56a-Sewer Treatment (1)
56c-Biocide Treatment (1)

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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)
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60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)

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32-Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
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38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
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60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)

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39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
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39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
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60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)

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38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
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40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
45-School IPM (1)
60-Private Agricultural Pest Control (1)

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10-Dealer (1)
38-Public Health Pest Control (1)
39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control (1)
40-Ind Inst Struct & Health Related (1)
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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)

Registration

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)

Registration

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)

Registration

Shaunie training

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

dad and 2 children on horse back

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?

EPA - Ag Worker Protection Standard

Contacts