Pesticide Safety and Education
The University of Idaho Pesticide Safety Education Program provides resources for students studying for a statewide pesticide exam and for applicators recertifying their Idaho pesticide license.
Exam preparation modules
Idaho pesticide applicator pre-license training
Access interactive lessons while studying a variety of pesticide safety topics. Find these on the Extension Foundation national course site with a free account.
Extension Foundation Account “Set up your free account with the Extension Foundation”
- Go to https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php
- Setup a verified free account with a username and password.
- Login with your personal credentials.
Idaho Pesticide Applicator Pre-License Training ($35 fee) https://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=1589
- Law & Regulations: This module specifically covers Idaho Pesticide Laws and Regulations. It is important to learn these before taking the exam.
- Pesticide Labels: This module reviews what is on a pesticide label and the various sections. Because reading and understanding pesticide labels is a critical task for pesticide applicators, it is very important that you understand how to read and interpret a pesticide label.
- Pesticide Safety & PPE: This module covers the potential hazards of handling and applying pesticides. It covers where to find important safety information on the pesticide label and the different types of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Pesticide Formulations: This module explains the different types of pesticide formulations and the various advantages and disadvantages for each formulation type. It also covers the different types of adjuvants, which are regulated as pesticides, in Idaho.
- Environmental Fate of Pesticides: This module describes how pesticides behave in the environment, such as soil, water, air. The module follows the chapter in the Idaho Pesticide Applicator Manual.
- Pest Management: This module covers Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and basic pest management information. The information contained in this module is important for understanding when to apply pesticides.
- Transportation, Storage & Spills: This module covers how to properly store and transport pesticides. It also discusses how to clean up accidental spills, and state of Idaho pesticide recordkeeping rules.
- Making Pesticide Applications: This module covers how to plan and set up pesticide applications including tank mixing, pesticide incompatibility, application methods, how to calibrate for an application.
Pesticide math
Access interactive lessons while studying a variety of pesticide safety topics. Find these on the Extension Foundation national course site with a free account.
Extension Foundation Account “Set up your free account with the Extension Foundation”
- Go to https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php
- Setup a verified free account with a username and password.
- Login with your personal credentials.
Calculate Pesticides Series includes real-world pesticide calculations in the following courses:
- General Math: review basic math concepts needed for calculating pesticides.
- Using Sprayers: develop math skills for calibrating yourself to application equipment.
- Application Rates: identify the math formulas necessary to calculate pesticide application rates
Idaho chemigation
Access interactive lessons while studying a variety of pesticide safety topics. Find these on the Extension Foundation national course site with a free account.
Extension Foundation Account “Set up your free account with the Extension Foundation”
- Go to https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php
- Setup a verified free account with a username and password.
- Login with your personal credentials.
Idaho Chemigation (free course) https://campus.extension.org/enrol/index.php?id=1847; course covers what you will need to know for the ISDA chemigation exam.
Worker protection
Access interactive lessons while studying a variety of pesticide safety topics. Find these on the Extension Foundation national course site with a free account.
Worker Protection: The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is aimed at reducing the risk of pesticide poisoning and injury among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers.”
- EPA-approved training materials for the new WPS have expanded content and are available at the Pesticide Education Resources Collaborative (PERC). https://pesticideresources.org/
- For local WPS information, visit the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. https://agri.idaho.gov/main/worker-protection-program/
