Implementation of Pesticide Applicator Certification Schools and Continuing Education Workshops (FHWA-OK-18-01)

Abstract

The herbicide applicator training program of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) consists of initial pesticide applicator training schools, certification testing, sprayer calibration workshops and on-going yearly continuing education sessions. Four pesticide applicator certification schools were conducted by Oklahoma State University (OSU) extension staff in fall of 2016 to train a total of 84 ODOT participants. Eightythree of the attendees at these workshops took the Core exam with 60 people eventually passing for a 72.3% overall success rate in passing the core exam. Sixty-three people tested for certification in category 6 (right of way) while 53 people passed that exam yielding an eventual 84.1% pass rate. Overall, 53 of 83 people eventually passed both the core and category 6 exams yielding a 63.9% overall success rate in producing category 6 certified applicators in 2016. In 2017, 665 Certified Applicators were providing with certified pesticide applicator 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.