What We Do
We teach about the safe and effective use of pesticides. We train pesticide applicators and safety trainers in agricultural, urban, and natural area settings. Our trainings and educational resources highlight the potential risks and benefits of pesticides. We focus on practical ways to minimize harm to human health and the environment where pesticides are used.
Learn more about PSEP
Trainings and Workshops
Check out the schedule for our Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer Refresher, and other pesticide safety workshops.
Explore trainings and workshopsEducational Publications
Explore the Pesticide Application Compendium Series study guides. These peer-reviewed study guides are written for those who seek to become licensed or certified commercial pesticide applicators, as well as anyone who is interested in the safe and effective use of pesticides in urban, agricultural, and natural areas. The Private Applicator study guides in English and Spanish are for people who wish to apply restricted-use pesticides to agricultural property they own or manage.
Explore publications
Resources
- UC IPM
- PCA (Pest Control Adviser) Exam Helper
- Maintenance Gardener Exam Preparation
- Crop IPM Publications
- UC IPM YouTube PSEP playlist
- State regulatory agency
- Certification and Licensing Categories
- California Code of Regulations
- California Department of Pesticide Regulation
- Federal
- Pesticides, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Respiratory Protection, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Heat Illness Prevention
- La Prevención de Enfermedades del Calor
- Additional educational resources
Get Your License
The Pesticide Safety Education Program partners with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to develop, write, and publish official study guides for the pest control adviser and many commercial pesticide applicator licensing categories, including the basic principles, or core category. Because exams should be closely related to the study materials we produce, we are tasked with developing the knowledge expectations (also called learning objectives) that help you study for your exams, as well as writing the questions for the licensing exams.
See California Department of Pesticide Regulation licensing information