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 be sent. 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, 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 .
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!
MDA Recertification Training - In person
Fall recertification training is designed for licensed pesticide applicators and operators. Remember, private applicators must earn 6 credits every 5 years, and District 4 (northeastern Montana) is expiring this year. Commercial applicators must earn 12 credits every 4 years per category with six of those credits obtained through in-person training. The categories for commercial applicators expiring at the end of 2026 are:
2026 Expiring Categories:
(5) Aquatic Pest
(0) Dealer
(2) Forest Pest
(9) Non-Soil Fumigation
(3) Ornamental and Turf
(19) Piscicide
(14) Special Utility
(11) Wood Product Pest Control
There will be six locations across the state in which to attend the training; topics vary depending on the training location. To access the agenda for each location and available credits/category, click on AGENDA button. The cost for each training is $30. Upon registration, information and details about the training will be emailed to you. Please contact Beth Thomas with any questions at 406-444-3732.
Click here to register for one of the trainings:
2026 Training Dates and Locations:
October 14, 2026 – Billings
Hampton Inn Billings
Address: 5110 Southgate Drive
AGENDA
October 15, 2026 – Belgrade
Holiday Inn Express
Address: 309 W Madison Avenue
AGENDA
October 20, 2026 – Kalispell
Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
Address: 715 Grandview Drive
AGENDA
October 21st, 2026 – Missoula
Missoula County Weed
1075 South Avenue West
AGENDA
November 5, 2026 – Great Falls
Great Falls College MSU
Address: 2100 16th Ave South
AGENDA
December 8, 2026 – Helena
Montana Historical Society
Address: 225 North Roberts
AGENDA
MDA Recertification Webinar Series
2026 Fall Webinar Opportunities – These are FREE - you just need to register and attend!
November 18, 2026 – Control of Voles, presented by Stephen Vantassel, MDA
This webinar addresses management techniques for Montana’s voles. Characteristics to distinguish voles from other small mammals, basic vole biology, identification of vole damage, and how to monitor voles will be described in the webinar. In addition, a review of the use of habitat modification, exclusion, trapping methods, and rodenticides will be explained. Property owners or control operators will obtain information useful for the management of voles on both small and large acreages.
Here is the link to register: bit.ly/voles2026
ONE credit for each of the following categories:
(0) Dealer(1) Agricultural Vertebrate Pest Control
(3) Ornamental and Pest Control
(7) Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health Related
(9) Non-Soil Fumigation
(10) Demonstration and Research
(15) School Pest Control
(22) Rodent
(40) Private Agricultural Pest Control
(44) Private Non-Soil Fumigation
December 9, 2026 – Montana Pesticide Dealers Webinar, presented by Matt Deaton, MDA
This 50-minute webinar provides Montana pesticide dealers with a practical overview of key compliance requirements, including proper pesticide storage, required dealer records, customer license verification, and what to expect during Montana Department of Agriculture inspections. It will also cover current licensing standards, including dealer exam and requalification requirements, recent updates affecting recordkeeping and licensing, and best practices for maintaining accurate restricted-use pesticide sales records and staying inspection-ready.
Here is the link to register: bit.ly/mtdealers2026
ONE credit for each of the following categories:
(0) Dealer(10) Demonstration and Research
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.
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)
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)
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)
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?
