IMPLEMENTATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION SCHOOLS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS (FHWA-OK-16-10 2156)

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) herbicide applicator training program consists of initial pesticide applicator training schools, independent certification testing, sprayer calibration workshops and ongoing yearly continuing education sessions. In support of this on-going effort, four pesticide applicator certification schools were conducted by Oklahoma State University (OSU) extension staff in fall of 2015 to train a total of 100 ODOT participants. Ninety-nine of the attendees at these workshops took the Core as well as Right-of-Way Certification exams administered by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry (ODAFF). Sixty-nine percent (68 participants) passed the Core and Category 6 (Right-of-Way) examinations to become Oklahoma Certified Pesticide Applicators. Fifteen Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education (CEU) Workshops were conducted in eight ODOT Field Divisions in 2016 to provide 656 Certified Applicators with continuing education training. Records of participation in ODAFF approved CEU programs by ODOT personnel were furnished to ODAFF as well as the ODOT Field Divisions, the Maintenance Division Headquarters and the Materials and Research Division. Participants gained CEU credits and knowledge on various Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) products, topics and techniques. This increase or maintained operational knowledge of the participants should insure continued effective vegetation management skills.Final report, October 2011-December 2013N