Join us February 6-9th at the Pine Grove Grange in Hood River for a Spanish Private Pesticide Applicator\’s License Exam Preparation Class and Exam $175!
Welcome, thank you for your interest in taking the Spanish Private Pesticide Applicators Exam Preparation Course and Exam. Before you register, we want to take a minute to explain more about this effort, the current situation with the Oregon Private Pesticide Applicators License exam, and ask for your help.
This class will prepare students to take the Washington and Oregon Private Pesticide Applicators exams (each license is reciprocal in the other state). Following the class, students will have the opportunity to take both exams at the class site (the Pinegrove Grange)
After serious discussions, HRSWCD, OSU, CGFG, ODA, and WSDA concluded that students would be more successful if both the exams were offered. Our analysis of licensing data and anecdotal evidence from orchardists and farmworkers suggests that the Oregon Spanish Private Applicators License Exam and preparation materials have several issues that result in low pass rates. HRSWCD and educators at OSU Extension believe that the low pass rate on the Oregon exam does not reflect the skills and knowledge of agricultural pesticide applicators but reflects systemic problems regarding access to training materials, access to the exam, and the exam itself.
A lot of work is needed to address these systemic short comings. We are working hand in hand with the State of Oregon Department of Agriculture, OSU Pesticide Safety and Education Program, and other entities to better serve pesticide applicators, address identified disparities, and improve this test. We are committed to this effort, we promise.
We will be offering the Spanish exam preparation class delivered by Washington State Department of Agriculture February 6th, 7th, and 8th. On the afternoon of the 8th, students will take the Washington exam on-site at the Pine Grove Grange. The Washington license is reciprocal and can be used in the state of Oregon (for a fee of $25 to ODA). The Washington exam is comprised of similar content to the Oregon exam. However, the Washington exam has been updated for clarity, is shorter in length, and will be offered on paper.
This is where we need your commitment to help us and be part of a larger effort.
We need students to come back on Friday, February 9th (either 8am-12 or 1pm-5) to take the Oregon exam as well. The Hood River SWCD has become an official state pesticide testing center, and we will offer the computer-based Oregon exam at the Pine Grove Grange. Taking both exams will allow us to generate meaningful data to help impact change at the state level to improve the Oregon exam. Of course, some participants will likely also pass the Oregon exam and could obtain their Oregon license.
We ask that you participate in taking both exams. If you are registering for someone on behalf of your farm, we also ask that you support your employees in participating in this effort. Please do so by paying their time to take the class and take the exams and participate in this additional effort. We know we are asking a lot of people and appreciate your participation. The fees for both exams and licensing will be paid for by us. If you have questions, please contact Kris Schaedel at the Hood River SWCD 541-386-4588 or kris@hoodriverswcd.org
Ok now on to the registration!
This class will fill up fast so please don’t delay! If it is already full, please sign up on the waiting list. We will continue to offer these classes and opportunities to take the exam if there is a demand. Click here to view an Agenda
This course will be instructed by Manuel Ornelas, an experienced trainer from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Topics covered include:
- federal and state pesticide laws for both Washington and Oregon
- reading and understanding the pesticide label
- pesticide formulations
- personal protective equipment and using pesticides safely
- pesticides and the environment
- introduction to pests, disease and management and weed management
- pesticide application equipment and calibration, conversions, and calculations
All topics are relevant and will be found on both the Oregon and Washington exams.
Students will need to bring:
- Full name and date of birth
- An official government issued identification card with a picture
- A mailing address where they want to their license sent
- A social security number is NOT required but if they have one bring the social security number
- Employer or company name
Coffee, pastries, catered lunch, beverages, and snacks will be provided daily.
Si tiene preguntas y desea hablar en español, llame Virginia Balibi at 541-737-7675 o
