For those needing to complete a recertification course for their private pesticide applicators license or their fertilizer applicators license, there are several opportunities in Wayne and Holmes Counties in early 2026. Please remember these pesticide recertification sessions are for only private pesticide applicators. The fertilizer sessions can be attended by both private and commercial fertilizer applicators. These sessions are only for current applicator license holders. If you are interested in receiving your pesticide applicators license, you must schedule a test through the Ohio Department of Agriculture. If you are interested in becoming a licensed fertilizer applicator, please call the Wayne County Extension Office at 330-264-8722. We are compiling a list of interested people and will be looking to schedule a first-time fertilizer applicator training in late March 2026.
You must call ahead to the Wayne County Extension Office (330-264-8722) to pre-register for any of these recertification classes.
The class opportunities are as follows:
February 6th at Drake Park in West Salem, 352 Greely St., West Salem, OH 44287. Class size for this space is extremely limited! Pesticide will take place from 9 A.M. – Noon, and fertilizer will take place from 1 P.M. – 2 P.M.
February 19th at the Kidron Community Park Building, 4434 Kidron Road, Kidron, OH 44636. Pesticide will take place from 9 A.M. – Noon, and fertilizer will take place from 1 P.M. – 2 P.M.
March 3rd at the Secrest Welcome and Education Center, 2122 Williams Road, Wooster, OH 44691. Pesticide will take place from 9 A.M. – Noon, and fertilizer will take place from 1 P.M. – 2 P.M.
There are also several opportunities for recertification in Holmes County. To attend the Holmes County session, you must pre-register with the Holmes County Extension Office by calling 330-674-3015.
January 22nd at the AgPro Expo at the Harvest Ridge Fairgrounds, 8880 St. Rt. 39, Millersburg, OH 44654. The pesticide session takes place from 9 A.M. – noon, and fertilizer recertification will take place from 1 P.M. – 2 P.M. Breakfast and lunch will be available at the AgPro Expo.
January 27th at the Mt. Hope Livestock Auction – Main Sale Ring, 8076 St. Rt. 241, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Pesticide will take place from 9 A.M. – Noon, and fertilizer will take place from 1 P.M. – 2 P.M.
The cost for pesticide recertification is $35, and the fertilizer recertification cost is $15. This can be paid for at the door on the day of the training. If you are doing both recertification sessions, the cost is $50.
Remember, you also need to fill out the license renewal form that was sent to you by ODA, AND you have to send the $30 renewal fee to ODA. This $30 renewal fee is different from the $35 and $15 recertification fees.
Frank Becker is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Ohio State University Extension – Wayne County, and a Certified Crop Adviser, and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or becker.587@osu.edu
CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaes.osu.edu/nondiscrimination
This article was previously published in The Daily Record.