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
2026 In-person Initial Core Trainings
The Montana Department of Agriculture will host three-day training courses designed for those interested in becoming a commercial, non-commercial, or governmental pesticide applicator and/or a pesticide dealer. The trainings are designed to prepare participants for the National Core Exam in Montana, provide hands-on-exercises, discuss licensing requirements, and learn about available resources. The training course is intended to provide training for initial certification only. Below are the 2026 training dates and locations:
March 4 – 6, 2026 in Belgrade
March 18 – 20, 2026 in Billings
April 1 – 3, 2026 in Missoula
April 15 – 17, 2026 in Great Falls
Please check back in January for registration details.
MDA Recertification Training - In person
This year’s training includes a variety of topics, depending on the location. Topics include communication with the public, weed look a-likes, biocontrol in Montana, incident and spill response planning, roadside treatment and safety, soil properties and effects of herbicides on soil health, Montana noxious weed update, drones in pesticide applications, and data base and C&T updates.
There will be seven locations across the state in which to attend trainings. Topics and credits vary depending on the training location so be sure to view the agenda for each location below, before registering. 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 by phone at 406-444-3732 or via email at beth.thomas@mt.gov.
Dates, locations, and links for specific agendas and credits per location:
October 15 – Billings - *** Training is Full ***
Hampton Inn Billings, 5110 Southgate Drive
Billings Agenda
October 16 – Belgrade
Holiday Inn Express, 309 West Madison Avenue
Belgrade Agenda
October 22 – Kalispell
Hampton Inn, 1140 2nd Street West
Kalispell Agenda
October 23 – Missoula
GW Marks Exploration Center, 1075 South Avenue West
Missoula Agenda
October 29 – Butte
Montana Tech, 1300 West Park Street
Butte Agenda
October 30 – Great Falls
Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16 th Avenue South
Great Falls Agenda
December 10 – Helena
Montana Wild, 2668 Broadwater Avenue
Helena Agenda
Online Registration
MDA Recertification Webinar Series
MDA will be offering three webinars this fall. Descriptions, registration links, as well as the approved categories and credits earned per webinar are located below. The webinars are FREE, but you must register using the links below and have your license number available during the webinar.
1. Management of Unprotected Birds – November 4, 2025, at 12:00PM (Noon)Stephen Vantassel, MDA’s Vertebrate Pest Specialist will be presenting this webinar. The management of birds not protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act namely, house sparrows (Passer domesticus), European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), common pigeons (Columba livia) and Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) will be explained. The presentation reviews laws related to birds, basic bird biology before detailing the main types and categories of bird control techniques. The webinar will conclude with tips on managing woodpecker damage without needing a permit and caution about the political nature of bird control.
| Category | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Dealer | 1 | |
| 32-Agriculture Vertebrate 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 | |
| 45-School IPM | 1 | |
| 55-Regulatory Weed | 1 | |
| 60-Private Agricultural Pest Control | 1 |
Stephen Vantassel, MDA’s Vertebrate Pest Specialist will be presenting this webinar. This webinar delves into health threats from commensal rodents, (bats, raccoons, skunks, birds, & ticks) that threaten human health & safety. Attendees will learn key concepts regarding animal behavior and damage identification. Attention will be given to training on lesser-known threats to public health posed by these animals to help public health professionals have a greater understanding of the risks these animals pose.
| Category | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Dealer | 1 | |
| 32-Agriculture Vertebrate 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 | |
| 54-Rodent | 1 | |
| 55-Regulatory Weed | 1 | |
| 60-Private Agricultural Pest Control | 1 |
3. Vegetation Management to Control Weeds + Help Bees – December 2, 2025, at 12:00PM (Noon)
Andony Melathopoulos, Associate Professor Pollinator Health Extension at Oregon State University, will be speaking during this webinar. The key talking points for the webinar are to recognize the bees that live along roadsides, what they need, and where they nest. Super bee plants found along rights of way and other disturbed areas will be described. Finally, an explanation of weed management strategies that help bees will be explained.
| Category | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Dealer | 1 | |
| 30-Agricultural Plant Pest Control | 1 | |
| 34-Ornamental and Turf Pest Control | 1 | |
| 37-Right of Way Pest Control | 1 | |
| 39-Demonstration & Research Pest Control | 1 | |
| 44-Special Utility | 1 | |
| 45-School IPM | 1 | |
| 55-Regulatory Weed | 1 | |
| 60-Private Agricultural Pest Control | 1 |
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)
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?
