The Ontario Pesticide Education Program supports Ontario farmers and pesticide vendors to achieve pesticide safety certification and training. Renewal is every 5 years.
Course fees are:
- Grower Pesticide Safety Course: $135
- Pesticide Vendor Certification Course: $235
- On-Farm Instructor Course: $75
- Farmer Assistant training: $30
Certified Farmers
Farmers must be certified to buy and use Class B or C pesticides on their farms or woodlots, or on the farm where they work. To become certified, a farmer must complete the Grower Pesticide Safety Course either at an online or in-person course.
Farmer Assistants
In Ontario, farm workers who mix, load or apply Class B or C pesticides under the supervision of a Certified Farmer must have Farmer Assistant certification. Farmer Assistnat certification can happen one of two ways. They can participate in a:
- one-day in-person Grower Pesticide Safety Course or
- Pesticide Safety for Farmer Assistants training session presented by an On-Farm Instructor.
On Farm Instructors
To train farm workers at the farm, first you must take the On Farm Instructor course. You will learn how to train Farmer Assistants in the best practices of using pesticides safely. You must hold a valid Grower Pesticide Safety Course certificate.
Pesticide Vendors
Pesticide vendors need to be certified under the Pesticide Vendor Certification Course before applying for a General Vendor pesticide licence. In Ontario, pesticide vendors need a licence to sell or transfer pesticides. There are three types of pesticide vendor licences: General Vendor, Limited Vendor, and Treated Seed Vendor. Each separate business location needs its own vendor licence.
Other Pesticide Certifications
Ontario Pesticide Training & Certification is available for anyone wanting to become a Licenced Exterminator or Technician. You need to be a licensed exterminator to apply pesticides for a pesticide application business. Call 1-888-620-9999.
IPM Course for Corn and Soybeans is available for anyone wanting to become certified to buy and use Class E pesticides. Class E are pesticides that are corn and soybean seeds treated with imidacloprid, clothianidin, or thiamethoxam. Call 1-866-225-9020
If you are unsure how Ontario's pesticide regulation applies to your situation, please contact the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Regional Office nearest you and ask to speak with a Pesticides Specialist. The Specialist will tell you which certificate or licence you require.
