Private applicator license

[lavacarancher]

Have any of you Texans had to renew or obtain a new Private Applicators License recently? Mine is up for renewal at the end of next month and I gotta tell you I'm not sure I can pass the exam this time around. I realize I'm not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree but some of the stuff "they" expect you to know is absolutely mind blowing. Here are a few examples:

SLU pesticides:
2,4-D
2,4-DB
2,4-DP
Bromacil
Dicamba
MCPA and several others.
Regulated Herbicides:
2,4-D
Dicamba
MCP A
Quinclorac and several others.


Here's another category:
Who regulates the application and use of pesticides?
FIFRA
FDCA
FQP A
OSHA
HCS
RCRA
TSA
SARA tittle III
ESA
EPA
What is the responsibility of each organization listed above and who reports to whom?

Another:
What's the difference between LD50 and LD50 value

Yet another:
Insecticides (pesticides) fall into several categories including:
Petroleum oils
Organochlorines
Organophophates
Organosulfurs
Carbomates
Formamidines
Thiocyanates and on and on.
So if you can remember all the technical names above (and about 20 more) now you should be able to tell how each is used, what they are used FOR, and what the hazards are - for each type!

Then there's the first aid part of the training. How do you treat folks who have become exposed (or over exposed - there is a difference) to each type of pesticide?

 

[greybeard]

I'm doing it now. I wish they would separate the pesticide from the herbicide part of it--I don't use pesticides to any more extent than most homeowners would.

The study guide makes it look a lot easier than it is for sure.

 

[cowboy43]

Every 5 years the license has to be renewed, to do this all you do is attend agriculture classes that offer CEU 's , when the class is completed, you get a certificate and the instructor forwards that information to the Texas Department of Agriculture that day. You have to have 15 CEU ,s in specified classes to qualify. I attended 2 five hour days in Buda Tx at Cabela's this week and earned 10 ceu's. Get with your County Agent to get the information you need and classes in your area. TDA is to be sending letters to license holders as to what ceu's you need,for the license's expiring 2/28/15, if you do this a test is not given or needed. If you let your license expire that is a whole new situation, because training and test are required , Also the Co. Agent no longer gives the test, you have to go to a specific City the TDA assigns you to go to, also they make the appointment and time you will attend, The instructor told us whatever you do not let your license expire because it will be a hassle to get a new one. Their will only be 22 testing locations in the State.

 

[cowboy43]

I received my letter from TDA today notifying me of the ceu's needed to renew the license. So you should getting soon.

 

[wacocowboy]

I made a mistake and let mine expire a few years back wish I hadn't

 

[Caustic Burno]

Every 5 years the license has to be renewed, to do this all you do is attend agriculture classes that offer CEU 's , when the class is completed, you get a certificate and the instructor forwards that information to the Texas Department of Agriculture that day. You have to have 15 CEU ,s in specified classes to qualify. I attended 2 five hour days in Buda Tx at Cabela's this week and earned 10 ceu's. Get with your County Agent to get the information you need and classes in your area. TDA is to be sending letters to license holders as to what ceu's you need,for the license's expiring 2/28/15, if you do this a test is not given or needed. If you let your license expire that is a whole new situation, because training and test are required , Also the Co. Agent no longer gives the test, you have to go to a specific City the TDA assigns you to go to, also they make the appointment and time you will attend, The instructor told us whatever you do not let your license expire because it will be a hassle to get a new one. Their will only be 22 testing locations in the State.

Our county agent along with a couple of others do an annual class I attend every year.
Get 5 CEU'S for the class it is packed every year.
You can also go to your county agent and watch the videos to get your hours needed.

 

[cowboy43]

Sending in your renewal application is the on the honor system until your application is audited, It was brought out at the meeting I attended , that TDA will be doing more audits in the future because 20 per cent of their audits have reviled fraud. In other words the applicant did not attend the classes they reported.

 

[Caustic Burno]

Sending in your renewal application is the on the honor system until your application is audited, It was brought out at the meeting I attended , that TDA will be doing more audits in the future because 20 per cent of their audits have reviled fraud. In other words the applicant did not attend the classes they reported.

That is what they said in our class as well.
Said they were going to randomly pull applicants at the sales locations to inspect.

 

[dcarp]

Mine expires again in 2017, guess I'll have to find some classes to get the CEU's. Fayette & Austin used to hold classes at Cat Springs but they seem to have parted ways. I sure don't want it to expire, don't want anything to do with the new test. :dunce:

 

[lavacarancher]

All good information. I have called the TDA and got no information about testing. I read the regs from TDA and it looked like testing was done a specified spots around the state (as mentioned here) but it did not say that if you have completed your CEU's you did not have to take the test. That's why I asked the question if any of you think you could pass the test given the complexity of the subject matter.

Thanks for your responses. I'll wait for the letter from TDA.

 

[Caustic Burno]

All good information. I have called the TDA and got no information about testing. I read the regs from TDA and it looked like testing was done a specified spots around the state (as mentioned here) but it did not say that if you have completed your CEU's you did not have to take the test. That's why I asked the question if any of you think you could pass the test given the complexity of the subject matter.

Thanks for your responses. I'll wait for the letter from TDA.

The TDA representative at class stated as long as you get the required CEU's a year you do not have to retest.

 

[cowboy43]

If you have your license and get your required ceu's you do not take a test.
If you do not have a license , a test is required.
I believe the Co.Agent will still be conducting training classes to prepare for the test given by TDA at specified locations. That was my understanding.
It would be interesting to see what the new test will be like, it may be hard to pass or it may be easy if the training courses are taken.

 

[greybeard]

There are different places you can get the CEUs during the year. The last 2 Southeast Texas Beef Symposiums I attended had about 5 different Texas Agrilife Extension Service speakers during the day, and at the end of the day, you got a sheet verifiying you were there and got credit for each CEU.
The symposiom was a lot more than just listening to speakers--there was a trade show, they fed us a brisket dinner, you got to meet and talk
to cattle folks in your area.
It was in Winnie last Oct--Liberty in 2013, going to be in Beaumont this year.
I'm pretty sure they have one of these gatherings in each part of the state every year--might be an easy way to get some ceu credit and have an enjoyable day as well. I've had a good time at every one I've attended.

(From a past year's symposium newsletter) :
http://southwestfarmpress.com/animal-id ... trade-show

BEAUMONT - The latest information about the national animal identification system being planned for the livestock industry will be presented at the Southeast Texas Beef Symposium and Trade Show on Nov. 16 in Liberty, TX.

A team of government and industry representatives has been working on a plan for more than a year, but little information concerning the details of the proposed system has become available. Dr. Bob Hillman, executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission, will provide participants with the latest information concerning plans for the implementation of the Animal ID Program, and an update on animal health issues.

Other presentations will include Dr. Mary Ketchersid, Extension pesticide safety specialist, speaking on noxious weed identification and control; Dr. David Bade, Extension forage specialist, discussing new Bermuda varieties coming to market; and Dr. Tony Provin, Extension soilchemist, with information on managing fertility and weeds in forage crops.

Licensed private commercial and non-commercial applicators participating in this symposium may obtain two Continuing Education Units for re-certification during the afternoon session, and one CEU for the evening session.

 

[Texas Gal]

http://ceusearch.texasagriculture.gov/CourseList.aspx

I do the vast majority of my CEUs online. Thankfully, I've never let my license expire so haven't had to retake the test.

 

[Jogeephus]

I am constantly having to get CE hours for my licensing. Thankfully much of it overlaps else I'd have to spend more than three days a year in class. Gets old hearing the same old stuff over and over. Gets expensive too. Some of the classes end up costing over a thousand dollars when you count your room and board.

I find it ironic that pesticide sampling shows more residual pesticide pollutants can be found in the environment of cities like Atlanta than in the agricultural areas of our state yet farmers and ranchers are blamed for so much.

 

[Caustic Burno]

There are different places you can get the CEUs during the year. The last 2 Southeast Texas Beef Symposiums I attended had about 5 different Texas Agrilife Extension Service speakers during the day, and at the end of the day, you got a sheet verifiying you were there and got credit for each CEU.
The symposiom was a lot more than just listening to speakers--there was a trade show, they fed us a brisket dinner, you got to meet and talk
to cattle folks in your area.
It was in Winnie last Oct--Liberty in 2013, going to be in Beaumont this year.
I'm pretty sure they have one of these gatherings in each part of the state every year--might be an easy way to get some ceu credit and have an enjoyable day as well. I've had a good time at every one I've attended.

(From a past year's symposium newsletter) :
http://southwestfarmpress.com/animal-id ... trade-show

BEAUMONT - The latest information about the national animal identification system being planned for the livestock industry will be presented at the Southeast Texas Beef Symposium and Trade Show on Nov. 16 in Liberty, TX.

A team of government and industry representatives has been working on a plan for more than a year, but little information concerning the details of the proposed system has become available. Dr. Bob Hillman, executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission, will provide participants with the latest information concerning plans for the implementation of the Animal ID Program, and an update on animal health issues.

Other presentations will include Dr. Mary Ketchersid, Extension pesticide safety specialist, speaking on noxious weed identification and control; Dr. David Bade, Extension forage specialist, discussing new Bermuda varieties coming to market; and Dr. Tony Provin, Extension soilchemist, with information on managing fertility and weeds in forage crops.

Licensed private commercial and non-commercial applicators participating in this symposium may obtain two Continuing Education Units for re-certification during the afternoon session, and one CEU for the evening session.

Have one in Livingston every year.
Contact Mark Curry the county agent for Polk County.
Get 5 CEU's in his class every year.
Lot of people from Tyler, Trinity and Polk counties.

 

[lavacarancher]

As I might have mentioned I have 10 CEU's but need five more. I found Washington county offering 5 CEU's on Feb 6, 2015 and Brazos County offering 5 CEU's on Jan 30, 2015. Austin County, where I normally go, only offers 3 CUE's on Feb 6, 2015. I guess the question now is can I squeak by before my license expires on the 28 of Feb.

Again, thanks for all the information. I feel much better about this than last week when taking the online courses. I don't think I could have passed the test if I had to take it.

 

[Caustic Burno]

As I might have mentioned I have 10 CEU's but need five more. I found Washington county offering 5 CEU's on Feb 6, 2015 and Brazos County offering 5 CEU's on Jan 30, 2015. Austin County, where I normally go, only offers 3 CUE's on Feb 6, 2015. I guess the question now is can I squeak by before my license expires on the 28 of Feb.

Again, thanks for all the information. I feel much better about this than last week when taking the online courses. I don't think I could have passed the test if I had to take it.

The way I understand it you are good as long as you have your required 15 before your license expires.

 

[Angus Guy]

I'm doing it now. I wish they would separate the pesticide from the herbicide part of it--I don't use pesticides to any more extent than most homeowners would.

You might want to read the study manual alittle closer. A pesticide is something gets rid of a pest. Since weeds are pests therefore a herbicide is a pesticide. Your homeowner products are also pesticides. Some might be herbicides and some might be insecticides. They are both pesticides.

 

[greybeard]

ok, so I wish they would separate the "insecticide" portion from the herbicide portion.
(pretty sure you knew what I was talking about tho)