TDA Private Applicator Training July 9th

Due to recent changes for producers to receive a TDA Private Applicators license, Wise County Texas AgriLife Extension Service will be conducting a Private Applicator Training on July 9^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Wise County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office located at 206 S. State St., Decatur, TX for producers seeking a private applicator license.

As in the past,  producers will still have to participate in a private applicator training provided by Texas AgriLife Extension Service; however, instead of taking the TDA test immediately following the training you will have to contact a testing company called PSI.  There are 22 locations across the state, with Ft. Worth being the closest.  Other testing sites across the state are: Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin (2 sites), Corpus Christi, Dallas, Richardson, El Paso, Fort Worth, Harlingen, Houston ( 4 sites ), Lubbock, McAllen, Midland, San Antonio ( 2 sites ),  Tyler and Waco.

 It is very important that once you have scheduled your testing time that you remember that PSI requires a 48 hour notification to cancel or reschedule exams or fees will be forfeited.  Also, PSI is very strict with punctuality, be on time or fees will be forfeited if the applicant is late for an appointment.  The following are procedures that producers will follow to receive an applicator’s license.

TO BECOMING A PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR

·         Step 1: Attend a Private Pesticide Applicator training session FIRST. Contact The Wise County Texas A&M AgriLife  Extension Service office for training opportunities.

·         You may purchase training materials at the Wise County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at 206 S. State Street in Decatur or call 940- 627-3341.

·         Step 2: Submit the completed Private Pesticide Applicator application form, license fee of $60, and the white (original) copy of the Training Verification form to TDA for processing.

·         Step 3: When the license application is accepted, TDA will send the applicant a letter in the mail with their Account Number. This Account Number is the number the applicator will use to register and schedule the Private applicator exam with PSI

·         Step 4: Applicants can go to PSIexams.com or call 1-800-733-9267 to schedule an exam at one of 22 locations around the state.

Ø  A Pesticide Licensing Examination Candidate Information Bulletin is provided at the PSI website to assist the applicant with the exam scheduling process.

Ø  A private applicator exam is free for the first attempt.

Ø  If the applicant fails the first attempt, the second (or subsequent) attempts will require a payment of $52.00 each time to PSI. There is a 24 hour waiting period to take a repeat exam.

Ø  PSI will provide a confirmation number and testing location information.

·         Step 5: Upon completion of the exam, the testing center will provide test results immediately. A passing grade is 70% or higher.

·         Step 6: PSI will send exam scores to TDA daily. If all licensing criteria are met, TDA will issue the license.

Training and all required study materials will cost $55 per participant.  Again, the training will be held at the Wise County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office at 206 S. State Street, Decatur, TX beginning at 9:00 a.m.  To register for the class and to obtain study materials you may come by the  Extension office or call (940) 627-3341.  We recommend you contact the office by July 7^th to have adequate time to look over study materials before the training. Seating is limited.