NASHVILLE, TN (WGNS) - The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is rolling out a new chapter in pesticide certification, and it officially begins this coming Monday (1/5/2026). For the first time, private applicators will renew their certifications through continuing education units—better known as CEUs—rather than the old testing-only model.

Every current private applicator certification is set to expire on June 30, 2026, but TDA is getting a head start for those who’ve already put in the work. Applicators who have completed the required three CEUs for this cycle won’t need to lift a finger. TDA will simply mail out updated certification cards in January 2026, extending their credentials through June 30, 2029.

For anyone unsure of where they stand, TDA has made it easy to check certification status and CEU totals on its Pesticide Applicators – Private webpage. The department is strongly encouraging applicators not to wait until the last minute. Those who don’t earn the required CEUs by the end of the cycle will have to retest to regain certification, and TDA is hoping to help folks avoid that extra hurdle.

Training opportunities that count toward CEUs are listed on TDA’s online training portal. By selecting the “Private Applicator (PA)” program under the “All programs” menu on the Pesticides webpage, applicators can browse upcoming sessions and plan ahead.

TDA says it’s committed to helping farmers and applicators navigate this first CEU-based renewal period. Anyone with questions about their renewal status can reach out directly to Private Applicator Program Manager Chad Hayes at chad.hayes@tn.gov or 615‑626‑9352.

Looking ahead, TDA plans to announce renewal timelines for commercial certifications in January 2026. That update will also include news about digital certification cards becoming available through the MyTN mobile app, giving applicators one more convenient option for keeping their credentials close at hand.