Pesticide Exam Sign-Up Instructions
Rutgers University now administers all pesticide licensing exams. The online Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam Registration (PACER) system is available for your use. Anyone interested in taking a Pesticide exam must register through the PACER system at pacer.rutgers.edu
- The PACER system and exams are available 24/7.
- All exams will be administered via remote proctoring including real-time student ID verification and activity monitoring to uphold the Department’s exam standards and security.
- Exam applicants will be assessed a nominal fee for each exam.
- All exams are CLOSED book.
- Applicants who fail an exam may re-apply directly to Rutgers at pacer.rutgers.edu to retake the exam. Exam fees apply for each retake.
- Please direct questions to pacer@njaes.rutgers.edu
Part 1.
COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR EXAM SIGN-UP INSTRUCTIONS (CORE
& CATEGORY)
In most cases, a Commercial Pesticide Applicator is fully certified after passing the Core exam and at least one Category exam. Please note that any exam you pass is only good for 12 months unless you become fully certified.
CORE EXAM SIGN-UP INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP 1 - You must attend an approved Basic
Pesticide Training Class before taking the Core
exam if:
(a) You have NEVER taken the "Basic Pesticide
Training Class" before, or
(b) You can no longer provide proof of having previously taken the course
You do not need to take the "Basic Pesticide Training Class" if you are taking exams for recertification AND it has been less than two (2) years since your license expired (see Attention Recertification Applicants in Step 2 below). If you have not been licensed for two consecutive years or more, you must take the "Basic Pesticide Training Class" again.
STEP 2 - Prepare the following:
1) A digital copy/picture of the "Basic Pesticide Training Class Attendance Certificate" to upload to the PACER system. You will receive the Basic Pesticide Training Class Attendance Certificate from the course coordinator after completion of the course.
Attention Recertification Applicants: If you are taking the exam for recertification purposes, and it has been less than two years since your license expired, you do not need to resubmit the "Basic Pesticide Training Class Attendance Certificate." Instead, you have the option to submit the certificate OR prepare a digital copy/picture of your expired Commercial Pesticide Applicator license.
2) To prepare for the exam, it is recommended you purchase the "Core Training Manual" from the County Cooperative Extension Office in your area or online at https://pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/pat/manuals. Training manuals cannot be purchased from the Department.
STEP 3 – Sign up for the exam with Rutgers University
Register through the PACER system at pacer.rutgers.edu
- The registration PACER system and exams are available 24/7.
- All exams will be administered via remote proctoring including real-time student ID verification and activity monitoring to uphold the Department’s exam standards and security.
- Exam applicants will be assessed a nominal fee of $135.00 for the Core exam.
- All exams are CLOSED book.
QUESTIONS? Email pacer@njaes.rutgers.edu
After your exam:
- Scores will be communicated to examinees via email by Rutgers University within 7-10 days of exam completion. A license number will be provided at that time. The license number is not valid until the licensing invoice is paid.
- The Department receives your scores approximately 2 weeks after you receive the email notification. If you have also passed a Category exam within the last 12 months, an invoice will be available online 7-10 days after the Department receives your score. A paper invoice will also be mailed to your home address.
- See Invoice Numbers for Unpaid License Invoices - Individuals to look up your invoice number. Make sure to capitalize the letter in your license number and include the dashes in the date. Government Exempt employees must process their invoices online.
CATEGORY EXAM SIGN-UP INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP 1 - Complete 40-hours of "On-the-Job Training" (OJT) for each category if it is available to you. Have the licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator who trained you fill out and sign the "Training Verification Form VPE-002". Prepare a digital copy/picture of the form to upload to the PACER system.
Note: Categories 10 and 13 are exempt from Category Training Requirements
If you are unable to get the 40 hours of OJT, follow instructions in Option A or Option B below.
Option A -If you are applying for Categories 3A, 3B, 7A, 7B, or 8B and cannot get the 40 hours of OJT, you must take an approved category training course from a Certified Trainer. Providers and contact information can be found by scrolling to the bottom of our Basic Pesticide Training Class page. You will receive the Category Course Attendance Certificate from the course coordinator after completion of the course. Prepare a digital copy/picture of your "Category Course Attendance Certificate" to upload to the PACER system.
OR
Option B - If you are applying for categories other than 3A, 3B, 7A, 7B, 8B, or 11 and cannot get the 40 hours of OJT, complete the "Training Verification Form VPE-002" with an explanation of why you cannot obtain the OJT. Prepare a digital copy/picture of the form to upload to the PACER system.
OJT is always required for Category 11: Aerial. However, if all applications will be done aerially, additional categories do not require OJT.
If you have been previously licensed as a New Jersey Commercial Pesticide Applicator in any category (including Categories 3A, 3B, 7A, 7B, 8B, or 11), complete the Affidavit Form VPE-001 affirming that you have the required one year of work experience and upload a digital copy/photo to the PACER system.
Note: To prepare for the exam, it is recommended you purchase the specific
"Category Training Manual" from the County Cooperative Extension Office in your area or online at https://pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/pat/manuals/. Training manuals cannot be purchased from the Department.
STEP 2 – Sign up for exam with Rutgers University
Register through the PACER system at pacer.rutgers.edu
- The registration PACER system and exams are available 24/7.
- All exams will be administered via remote proctoring including real-time student ID verification and activity monitoring to uphold the Department’s exam standards and security.
- Exam applicants will be assessed a nominal fee of $135.00 for each Category exam.
- All exams are CLOSED book.
QUESTIONS? Email pacer@njaes.rutgers.edu
After your exam:
- Scores will be communicated to examinees via email by Rutgers University within 7-10 days of exam completion. A license number will be provided at that time. The license number is not valid until the licensing invoice is paid.
- The Department receives your scores approximately 2 weeks after you receive the email notification. If you have also passed the Core exam within the last 12 months, an invoice will be available online 7-10 days after the Department receives your score. A paper invoice will also be mailed to your home address.
- See Invoice Numbers for Unpaid License Invoices - Individuals to look up your invoice number. Make sure to capitalize the letter in your license number and include the dashes in the date. Government Exempt employees must process their invoices online.
- If you have passed an exam with the purpose of adding categories to your license, the category will be added automatically when the Department receives your score. You can request a duplicate copy of your license, which will include the additional category, by contacting the Department
Part 2. PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR EXAM SIGN-UP INSTRUCTIONS
A Private Pesticide Applicator is fully certified after passing the Private Pesticide Applicator exam.
STEP 1 – Prepare for the exam
To prepare for the exam, it is recommended you purchase the "Private Pesticide Applicator Training Manual" from the County Cooperative Extension Office in your area or online at https://pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/pat/manuals/. Training manuals cannot be purchased from the Department.
STEP 2 – Sign up for exam with Rutgers University
Register through the PACER system at pacer.rutgers.edu
- The registration PACER system and exams are available 24/7.
- All exams will be administered via remote proctoring including real-time student ID verification and activity monitoring to uphold the Department’s exam standards and security.
- Exam applicants will be assessed a nominal fee of $50.00 for each Private Applicator exam.
- All exams are CLOSED book.
QUESTIONS? Email pacer@njaes.rutgers.edu
After your exam:
- Scores will be communicated to examinees via email by Rutgers University within 7-10 days of exam completion. A license number will be provided at that time. The license number is not valid until the $0 licensing invoice is processed. This is the responsibility of the Private Applicator. The Department will no longer process $0 invoices.
- The Department receives your scores approximately 2 weeks after you receive the email notification. An invoice will be available online 7-10 days after the Department receives your score. A paper invoice will also be mailed to your home address.
- See Invoice Numbers for Unpaid License Invoices - Individuals to look up your $0 invoice number. Make sure to capitalize the letter in your license number and include the dashes in the date.
Part 3. PESTICIDE DEALER EXAM SIGN-UP INSTRUCTIONS
A Pesticide Dealer is fully certified after passing the Pesticide Dealer exam.
STEP 1 - Prepare for the exam
To prepare for the exam, it is recommended you purchase the "Pesticide Dealer Training Manual" from the County Cooperative Extension Office in your area or online at https://pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/pat/manuals/. Training manuals cannot be purchased from the Department.
STEP 2 - Sign up for exam with Rutgers University
Register through the PACER system at pacer.rutgers.edu
- The registration PACER system and exams are available 24/7.
- All exams will be administered via remote proctoring including real-time student ID verification and activity monitoring to uphold the Department’s exam standards and security.
- Exam applicants will be assessed a nominal fee of $135.00 for each Pesticide Dealer exam.
- All exams are CLOSED book.
QUESTIONS? Email pacer@njaes.rutgers.edu
After your exam:
- Scores will be communicated to examinees via email by Rutgers University within 7-10 days of exam completion. A license number will be provided at that time. The license number is not valid until the licensing invoice is paid.
- The Department receives your scores approximately 2 weeks after you receive the email notification. An invoice will be available online 7-10 days after the Department receives your score. A paper invoice will also be mailed to your home address.
- See Invoice Numbers for Unpaid License Invoices - Individuals to look up your invoice number. Make sure to capitalize the letter in your license number and include the dashes in the date.
