Exam Preparation for Certification of Pesticide Applicators in Hawaiʻi

Februay 6, 2019

Examinations

The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture offers examinations on the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Hawaiʻi. There is a fee for taking an exam. Passing an examination is the first step leading to certification as an applicator of "restricted use" pesticides in Hawaii. There are examinations to qualify for certification in 17 categories or subcategories of pest control. Three examples are "Private 1 general agricultural", "Commercial 2 forest", and "Commercial 7b termite".

Sign up for an exam date at this Hawaii Department of Agriculture web portal: https://inforps-dp.hawaii.gov/PesticidesEducation/#/homepage

For more information about exams or certification, call one of the Department's county offices listed below or browse the Department's website:

  • Hawaii island applicators—Call Hilo direct (808) 974-4143 or 640-9076.
  • Lanai, Maui, and Molokai applicators—Call Maui direct (808) 873-3078 or 793-7035.
  • Oahu applicators—Call Honolulu direct (808) 973-9424 or 973-9409.
  • Kauai applicators—Call Kauai direct (808) 241-7140

If you are unable to contact the office in your county, try the phone numbers for Oahu applicators.

Pesticide Applicator Certification / Recertification: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/pest/pesticide-applicator-certificationrecertification-2/

 

Studying for the Exam

SHORT COURSES

The University of Hawaiʻi schedules two-day short courses annually on the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi. There is a fee for registration. The instructor will cover "core" or basic topics such as laws & regulations, labels & labeling, and handling, storage, and disposal. But "category-specific" topics such as life cycles of pests, specialized application equipment, techniques, and calculations are discussed only in the study guides, not in the short course. (To study the category-specific topics, get the study guides for the category of exam you want to take.) For more information, phone (808) 956-6007, or email cynagami@hawaii.edu, or view this webpage:

 

STUDY GUIDES

The University of Hawaiʻi produces and distributes study guides for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture' examinations to qualify for certification in Hawaii. There is a fee for the printed version, but not for the downloadable electronic versions on the Internet. You can get the printed versions of the study guides either with or without registering for one of the short courses described above. For more information, phone (808) 956-6007, or email cynagami@hawaii.edu, or view this webpage: