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The Ontario Pesticide Education Program is supported through platinum sponsorship from

  Ontario Pesticide Education Program
University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
Ridgetown, ON CANADA N0P 2C0
1-800-652-8573
 Farmer Training
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    BASF is committed to promoting effective stewardship on and off the field and is a
proud supporter of the CleanFARMS program.
 



Welcome
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On this site you will find information about Ontario’s: 

  • Certified Farmers  -- farmers trained in pesticide application and safety
    • Grower Pesticide Safety Course
       
  • Assistants to a Certified Farmer -- farm helpers trained in pesticide application and safety 

    • Pesticide Safety for Assistants to Certified Farmers
       

  • Pesticide Vendors  -- pesticide sales representatives trained in pesticide application and safety 

    • Pesticide Vendor Certification Course

Course Schedule Information

Quick link to confirmed Course/Exam Schedule for the Grower Pesticide Safety Course

Quick link to confirmed Course/Exam Schedule for the Pesticide Vendor Certification Course

Call our toll free line for more information: 1-800-652-8573.
 
News:

Tank Mixing Pesticides for Crop Production or Vegetation Management (opens pdf)  New

Safety Precautions for Certified Farmers Using Fumigants and Suspensions in Air  (pdf) New

On April 22, 2009, the province’s cosmetic pesticides ban took effect.  Read More.

Manual Update 2009 for the Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual and Pesticide Vendor Certification Course ManualLearn how Ontario's Cosmetic Pesticides Ban affects your farm or your pesticide vendor business.

Click here for a chart (pdf) of who may sell, purchase or use the different classes of Ontario pesticides.


Glyphosate Resistant Giant Ragweed Suspected in Ontario . . .Read More
 

Before you attend a Grower Pesticide Safety Course:

  1. view our videos and powerpoint at Online Tutorial, and

  2. pick up a manual at a local pesticide dealer or Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs office.  Check the book depot listing for a location near you.

Most Grower Pesticide Safety Courses and Exam Only Sessions are held between December and May.   If you have questions or require certification outside of our training season, please call us, 1-800-652-8573.

For information on pesticide safety and education programs in each Canadian province, visit "Pesticide Safety Canada".

The Ontario Pesticide Education Program has been providing pesticide safety and application training to Ontario farmers and pesticide vendors since 1987.

Please Note:  The information on this site is provided as a public service.  We cannot guarantee that the information is current or accurate.  Readers should verify the information before acting on it.


Certified Farmers

Over 21,000 Ontario Farmers are trained in pesticide application and safety through the Grower Pesticide Safety Course! 

Certified Farmers are trained to buy or use the more hazardous pesticides, Class 2 or 3 pesticides, on the land they farm.    Grower Pesticide Safety Course certificates are valid for five years. Certified Farmers cannot spray as a business or sell pesticides. 

To become a Certified Farmer for the first time, you must:

  • attend the Grower Pesticide Safety Course (GPSC) and pass the GPSC exam.  

To renew a GPSC certificate, there are two options. You may:

  • attend the Grower Pesticide Safety Course and pass the exam, or

  • study at home, then pass the exam at a specified exam-writing time and location.  NOTE: You must have previously held a valid certificate to qualify for this option.

Click here for more information about training to become a Certified Farmer and for a list of courses offered across Ontario.

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Assistants to a Certified Farmer

Over 900 Farm Assistants are trained in pesticide safety in Ontario.

Farm Assistants are trained to handle Class 2 and 3 pesticides ONLY under the supervision of a Certified Farmer.  Assistants cannot buy Class 2 or 3 products.  Any farm employee, farm family member, or seasonal foreign worker who handles these products must become a TA.  TA training is valid for five years. 

To become an Assistant, there are two options.  You may:

  • attend a Grower Pesticide Safety Course and not write the exam, or

  • attend an on-farm training session presented by a qualified Assistant Instructor.   

Any Certified Farmer may take an Instructor Course offered through the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus.

Click Assistant for more information about training to become a:

  • Farm Assistant or

  • Assistant Instructor 

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Pesticide Vendors

Over 1,000 Ontario vendors are certified through the Pesticide Vendor Certification Course!

Certified Pesticide Vendors may apply for a General Vendor Licence to sell pesticides that include Class 2 or 3 pesticides, the more hazardous pesticides, in Ontario.  Each pesticide outlet must have at least one employee certified within the last five years through the Pesticide Vendor Certification Course. 

To become a Certified Vendor for the first time, you must:

  • attend the two day Pesticide Vendor Certification Course (PVCC) and pass the PVCC exam.  

To renew a PVCC certificate, there are two options.  You may:

  • attend the two day Pesticide Vendor Certification Course and pass the exam, or

  • attend the one day Pesticide Vendor Certification Course and pass the exam.  NOTE:  You must have previously held a valid certificate to qualify for this option.  

Click Vendor Training for information and a list of courses offered across Ontario.  

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Licensed Exterminators

Licensed Exterminators can buy and apply pesticides for a commercial pesticide application business according to the restrictions of their license.  If a fee is charged for a pesticide application, the applicator must be a licensed exterminator.  This includes farmers who custom apply pesticides for other farmers and charge a fee for this service.  Licensed Exterminators who are self-employed must hold an Operator Licence as well as the appropriate exterminator licence.  Exterminator licenses are valid for five years. 

To become a Licensed Exterminator, you must:

  • complete a home study course and certification exam through the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus and,

  • send proof of certification (letter of successful completion) and a fee to the Ministry of the Environment to obtain an exterminator licence. 

Click Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification for more information about training to become a licensed exterminator or call 1-888-620-9999 or 519-674-1575. 

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Technicians

Technicians can mix, load or apply Class 3 to 7 pesticides and most Class 2 pesticides, under the indirect supervision of a Licensed Exterminator.  Technician cards are valid for two years. 

To become a Technician, you must:

  • complete an MOE-approved academic course and exam and

  • complete practical training with a Licensed Exterminator.   

Click Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification for more information about training to become a Technician or call 1-888-620-9999 or 519-674-1575

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