Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, the MSU Pesticide Safety Education Program, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division (PPPMD) will offer in-person Core Manual review classes followed by Core pesticide applicator certification testing in Oceana and Mason counties in 2026.
Oceana County: The Core review and testing session will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at the West Central Michigan Horticulture Research and Extension Center, located at 5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart.
Mason County: The Core review and testing session will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at West Shore Community College, located at 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
The four-hour Core review will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will cover all chapters of the "National Pesticide Applicators Certification Core Manual." The review will take place in the morning, followed by MDARD-administered exams in the afternoon after a brief lunch break. Participants are strongly encouraged to read and study the Core Manual prior to attending the review.
Core Manual copies may be purchased online at msupesticidemanuals.com. Limited copies are also available at the Oceana County MSU Extension Office; please call 231-873-2129 for availability.
Exams offered include Private Core. Commercial Core, fumigation standard and aerial standard. Please note: No commercial category exams will be offered.
Attendance at the review session is required in order to participate in the in-person testing. Advance registration and a $25 fee are required. Registration and payment may be completed online at https://www.canr.msu.edu/event... or by contacting the Oceana County MSU Extension Office at 231-873-2129.
Participants may earn four Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) recertification credits for Core. Please indicate your intent to receive credits at the time of registration.
There is no on-site fee to take the MDARD-proctored exam. MDARD staff will provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for submitting certification fees for those who successfully pass the exam.
