Pesticides training and certification
What training and certification you need to sell, buy, transfer or use certain pesticides in Ontario.
2021 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We have extended validation to some expired and expiring pesticide certifications.
Cancelling of courses
All in-person courses and exams are temporarily cancelled at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, including the:
- Pesticide Vendor Certification Course
- Grower Pesticide Safety Course
To help ensure qualified farmers, technicians and vendors can continue to use, buy or sell the pesticides they need during this time, Ontario is extending the validation period of certain certifications.
Extension of pesticide certificates
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is extending the validity of Grower Pesticide Safety Course Certificates for those holders who continue to be unable to renew their certificates during the COVID-19 pandemic until December 31, 2021.
Letters have been emailed to the most recent email addresses on file. If your certificate is expiring in 2021 or was extended in 2020 and you have not received a letter, you may obtain a copy of the letter from the Ontario Pesticide Education Program website or by contacting the ministry to obtain a copy.
Certification options continue to be offered both in person and online with the University of Guelph.
For information on COVID-19, including the online self-assessment tool visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus.
Certifications that are not extended
Any certifications that can be obtained online are not extended.
The following authorizations and renewals are still available online:
- Licensed exterminators can continue to renew their exterminator licence using the Ministry’s electronic system and ministry account. Learn more about Pesticides licences and permits
- Technician Identification Card training can be completed online through the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
- Farmer Assistants can be trained by On-Farm Instructors that have completed online training available through the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
- Integrated Pest Management for Corn and Soybean Course certificate can be completed online through the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
If you have not received a letter from the ministry about the extension of your certification please contact SDB-PesticideApproval@ontario.ca.
For information on COVID-19, including the online self-assessment tool visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus.
Training and certification
You must be trained and certified to sell, transfer, buy or use certain pesticides in Ontario.
The type of training and/or certification depends on:
- where you use pesticides (e.g., on a commercial farm or as part of an extermination business)
- what kind of pesticides you use or sell – refer to Guide of Pesticide Classes
Most pesticides training and certification is offered through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
For more information, contact the university by:
- phone at
1-800-652-8573 or519-674-2230 - by email: rcopep@uoguelph.ca
- by mail:
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
120 Main Street East
Ridgetown, ON
N0P 2C0
Most certification and training must be renewed every 5 years.
Farmers
If you are a commercial farmer, you must pass the Grower Pesticide Safety Course to become a Certified Farmer and/or to use Class B or C pesticides on your farm.
A Grower Pesticide Safety Course Certificate is not required to purchase or use Class D pesticides on your own farm or a farm you operate on a regular basis.
To be certified, you need to:
- take a 1-day course and
- pass a 2-part exam.
The University of Guelph delivers this training and administers the exam.
For the purchase of Class E (neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds), please refer to the Neonicotinoid rules for growers webpage.
For more information, refer to the certified farmers section of the Guide to Pesticide Licensing.
Train farm assistants
If you employ farm assistants, you also need to complete a half-day course that qualifies you to train farm assistants in pesticide safety.
Farm assistants
All farm assistants who use Class B or Class C pesticides must be trained and supervised.
Farm assistants include:
- family members
- farm employees
- seasonal workers
You can get pesticides training as a farm assistant in 2 ways:
- attend the Grower Pesticide Safety Course and do not write the exam
- attend an on-farm training session presented by a qualified assistant instructor
- qualified assistant instructors are Certified Farmers who have taken the half-day course to become a qualified assistant instructor
For more information, refer to the Supervised and assistant farmers section of the Guide to Pesticide Licensing.
Sell pesticides – vendors
If you have a general class vendors licence, you must ensure that at least one employee that works full time at the sales outlet covered by the licence is certified to sell pesticides.
To be certified, you need to:
- complete the Pesticide Vendor Certification Course
- pass an exam at the end of the course
- pay an course fee ($200)
The University of Guelph delivers this training and administers the exam.
For more information, refer to the Vendor licences section of the Guide to Pesticide Licensing.
Pesticide spills
In the event of any fire, accident, spill, or theft that may result in the release of a pesticide into the environment, you must immediately notify:
Spills Action Centre