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Interested in becoming a licensed New Jersey pest control operator and/or applicator? Take the first step in this 4-hour training course.
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Course Details
Course Status: Registration Closed for April 8, 2026 Offering
Online registration has closed for the April 8 course. Registration for the May 8 course is open.
Please call our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 to inquire about registration availability or join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled.
Course Name: CORE Basic Pesticide Training Course (English Instruction ONLY)
Course Code: AE0801CH26
Date: April 8, 2026
Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Check-in time: 7:30 am)
Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course taught in English
Registration Fee: $175 per person
Multi Person Discount Fee: $135 per person (Save when you sign up with a colleague!)
Group Discount Fee: $120 per person (Save when you sign up 10 or more people from the same company!)
Registration closes: April 6, 2026
Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Course Name: CORE Basic Pesticide Training Course (English Instruction ONLY)
Course Code: AE0801CI26
Date: May 8, 2026
Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Check-in time: 7:30 am)
Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course taught in English
Registration Fee: $175 per person
Multi Person Discount Fee: $135 per person (Save when you sign up with a colleague!)
Group Discount Fee: $120 per person (Save when you sign up 10 or more people from the same company!)
Registration closes: May 6, 2026
Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Course Overview
The Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education’s (OCPE) Core Training Program is the first step in training for individuals interested in becoming a licensed New Jersey pest control operator and/or applicator. This course satisfies New Jersey’s requirement of attending a basic pesticide training course for new applicants seeking to gain a state license.
Topics covered during this course include:
- Federal pesticide laws;
- The New Jersey Pesticide Control Act;
- What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
- Pesticide hazards and how to minimize them;
- Proper handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides; and
- Types of application equipment and use.
IMPORTANT: This is NOT the CORE exam. This is a training course. You must register for the exam separately through the Rutgers Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam Registration (PACER) system. Visit pacer.rutgers.edu for more information.
About the NJDEP Pesticide Licensing Program
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Pesticide Control Program (PCP) regulations contain information on the training requirements for new (never licensed) commercial applicators and/or operators, as well as the requirements for currently licensed persons and those who have not maintained their license.
- Under these regulations, a new commercial applicator or operator must attend a PCP-approved basic pesticide training course (such as this Core course) and complete forty (40) hours of on-the-job training in the functions and operations associated with the category of license the individual is seeking to obtain.
- Recertification of a currently-licensed New Jersey commercial pesticide applicator/ operator is maintained by completing recertification courses in Core (eight units needed) and in the category being recertified for (sixteen units needed) within a five-year period.
For more information on pesticide applicator training requirements, please visit the Rutgers NJAES Pest Management Office website at http://pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/pat/.
Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for aspiring NJ licensed pesticide applicators and operators seeking to fulfill the basic pesticide training course requirement.
Meet Your Instructor
English Courses
Mike Reed
Mike is Director of Technical Sales and Education for Synatek Solutions and Branch Creek Organics privately held companies, specializing in Turf and Ornamental technologies. His focus is working with companies to find and develop regenerative and sustainable pesticides, bio-stimulants and fertilizers. He is known for his interactive, engaging and real-world presentation style. Mike has taught re-certification classes in 17 different states and holds 5 different pesticide category certifications.
Spanish Courses
Erika Cherry
Erika has a degree in Graphic Design with more than 10 years’ experience in the designing & development of educational materials. Her strong bilingual communication skills has allowed her to translate pertinent pesticide training materials into Spanish. She has successfully been trained and certified in pesticide safety and conducts practical pesticide training courses in Spanish, giving her Spanish-speaking students a more comfortable and easy way to learn.
Student Reviews
“Dr. Hamilton presented the material clearly and explained it well, providing good examples, references, photographs, and videos.”
– Past Participant
“All of the laws and regulations are laid out clearly, and there is great practical advice for storage, labeling, PPE, disposal, etc.”
– Past Participant
“For me, I found the entire course very useful! Everything covered in this course is extremely important!”
– Past Participant
Continuing Education Credits
The CORE Basic Pesticide Training Program taught in English (4 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.
New Jersey
NJ Pesticide Applicators: Pending
*No credits offered for Spanish instruction courses
Course Requirements and Policies
Meals
No meals will be provided at this course.
COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes
Please visit our policies page for the latest information.
Pre-registration/Walk-Ins
Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat or materials for walk-in registrants.
Location Changes
Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.
Campus Parking Policy
All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.
- A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
- When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
- All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.
Email Requirement
A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.
- If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
- If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions
Cancellations and Substitutions
A $50 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about the CORE Basic Pesticide Training Course, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu
Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
