Florida Pesticide Certification Exam Changes

 

Extension will no longer offer pesticide exams in the near future.

UF/IFAS remains committed to best serving our stakeholders through education, training, and support. The primary provider for pesticide certification exam locations has been UF/IFAS through the county Extension network. All 67 county offices have historically offered free exams, either on paper or via a computer. Due to technological updates to Windows, internet networks, and the computers UF/IFAS uses for testing, there will be changes to the testing process going forward. Below is the timeline for these changes.

Effective January 1, 2025, paper exams will no longer be offered at UF/IFAS county Extension offices.

 

Exams will still be available using the following two options:

 1)    Computer exams at county Extension offices. Check the schedule and availability of your local extension office: https://pesticideexam.ifas.ufl.edu/public/testcenters.jsp

2) Testing with your own equipment using the Everblue testing portal (additional fees required).

 

Effective October 1, 2025 testing will no longer be available at UF/IFAS county Extension offices. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is in the process of selecting a testing vendor to take over at that point. Their stated plan is to have two options available for examinations:

 1.    Testing on a remote proctored platform. This would be similar (if not the same) as the current Everblue portal.

 2.    Testing at licensed testing centers around the state. These locations host a variety of other tests, like the GRE, SAT, and other professional certification exams.

 The vendor, locations and processes related to testing after October 1, 2025, are still to be determined, but will be communicated as soon as that information is available.

 For questions, contact the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office:

 Brett Wells Bultemeier

7922 NW 71^st Street 

PO Box 110710 

Gainesville, FL, 32653 

352-392-4721 

352-294-6941 Direct Line 

Pesticide Office Website 

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FNGLA Manasota Chapter Meeting + CEUS

The FNGLA Manasota Chapter will be hosting a meeting at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center located in Balm, FL on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  We will receive a tour of the research center, get environmental horticulture research updates, obtain CEUs, and feast on a tasty dinner. Attendance fee is $20.00 for members/$30.00 for non-members, and $10.00 for students.  This meeting is open to anyone in the green industry.  Click this link to register 

Here is the agenda:

4:00 pm: Arrive

4:15 pm: Tour GCREC Diagnostic Clinic, Dr. Natalia Peres, Professor of plant pathology, UF/IFAS, Gulf Coast REC

4:40 pm: Mites and thrips, Dr. Sriyanka Lahiri, Assistant Professor of entomology and nematology, UF/IFAS, Gulf Coast REC

5:00 pm: Parasitic nematodes, Dr. Johan Desaeger, Associate Professor of entomology and nematology, UF/IFAS, Gulf Coast REC

5:20 pm: Urban water uses, management, and recycling, Dr. Mary Lusk, Assistant Professor of soil and water sciences, UF/IFAS, Gulf Coast REC

5:30 pm: Dinner

5:45 pm: Remarks, Dr. Jack Rechcigl, Professor and Center Director, and Dr. Nathan Boyd, Professor and Associate Center Director

6:00 – 8:00 pm: CEU program - Pest Management Tools and New Varieties for Production and Utilization of Ornamental and Nursery Plants (2 CEUs)

6:00 pm: Management of invasive pest insects in nursery crop production, Dr. Lance Osborne, Professor of entomology, UF/IFAS, Mid-Florida REC

6:25 pm: UV light, chemical control, and biocontrol for thrips and mite management in specialty crops, Dr. Sriyanka Lahiri

6:45 pm: Chemical alternative methods for disease control, Dr. Natalia Peres

7:05 pm: Notes from the field; a pest update, Mr. Shawn Steed, Extension Agent IV, UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension Services

7:40 pm: New caladium, lantana, and porterweed introductions for nursery production and landscape use, Dr. Zhanao Deng, Professor of environmental horticulture, UF/IFAS, Gulf Coast REC  

CEUS; 1 Core (487, 482) + 1 O&T, Private, Ag Row, Demo and Res., Commercial L&O.

Any questions please call Shawn Steed at the Hillsborough County Extension Office 813-744-5519.