About These Study Materials
To qualify for a commercial pesticide applicator license in Ohio, you must: (1) pass the Core exam, (2) pass at least one category exam, (3) submit the application, and (4) pay the license fee. These study guides are designed to help applicants prepare for the exams.
For additional information or help in deciding which pesticide-use category you need for licensure, call the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide & Fertilizer Regulation Section at 614-728-6987. For information on optional training courses for new applicators and recertification opportunities, call Ohio State University Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program at 614-292-4070 or visit pested.osu.edu. To register for a seat at a pesticide exam session or to find recertification credit class opportunities, please go to agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides and click the “Online Services” tab in the left panel.
Study materials are available through local Ohio State University Extension offices and online at extensionpubs.osu.edu. Ohio residents get the best price when they order and pick up their purchases through local Extension offices. Find your county’s Extension office at extension.osu.edu/lao. Please call ahead for availability.
Available study materials are described below. Download a printable catalog here.
To request an accessible format of any publication, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.
New in 2025
Category 2c—Agricultural Weed Control (2026 Weed Control Guide for Ohio, Indiana, IIllinois, and Missouri)
Category 2e—Tobacco Sucker Control: The new exam was released Aug. 1, 2025. The study manual is available as PDF and print.
Category 3a—Aquatic Pest Control: The new exam was released Dec. 8, 2025. The study manual is available as PDF and print.
Category 3b—Boat Anti-Foulant: The new exam was released Aug. 1, 2025. The study manual is available as PDF and print.
Category 10a—General Pest Control: The new exam was released April 1, 2025. The study manual is available as PDF and print.
Category List
Applying Pesticides Correctly (Core Manual):
- Required for all commercial pesticide applicators.
- Designed to teach and encourage all areas of proper pesticide use.
- Describes pest identification and provides instructions on reading the pesticide label.
- Includes information on dry and liquid formulations, application of pesticides, environmental issues and contamination prevention, the harmful effects of pesticides on humans, emergency response, handling, cleanup, and storage instructions.
- Sample test included in the back of each chapter.
Also required (included with purchase)
- Safety Training Guide for Trained Servicepersons
- Focuses on safety training for trained servicepersons who are non-licensed commercial or private users of pesticides and who work under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator.
NOTE: Spanish language version available upon request. (Nota: Versión en español disponible a petición.) Email extension-pubs@osu.edu.
- Focuses on safety training for trained servicepersons who are non-licensed commercial or private users of pesticides and who work under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator.
- Pesticide Laws and Rules
- Includes general Ohio laws and rules on the use and distribution of pesticides, as well as safety procedures and equipment.
Purchase the Core Manual Bundle. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides, except fumigants, by aircraft—both manned and unmanned.- Published by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation (NASDARF), with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Purchase Category 1—Aerial Applicator's Manual. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to agronomic crops for the control of pests other than weeds.- Designed to help commercial agronomic pest control pesticide applicators prepare for the state exam in the Agronomic Pest Control category (Category 2a) and meet the certification requirements listed in the federal guidelines.
Purchase Category 2a—A Study Guide for Commercial Agronomic Pest Control Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to fruit and vegetable crops for the control of pests other than weeds.
Purchase Category 2b—Horticulture Pest Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides for the control of weeds in agronomic crops or horticultural crops.- Explains the importance of weed control and gives suggestions on herbicide management strategies for corn, soybeans, small grains, and forages.
- Includes special sections on control of problem weeds, managing marestail in no-till soybeans, and herbicide programs for non-GMO soybeans.
- Index to all tables regarding herbicides listed on the back cover for easy navigation and quick referencing.
Purchase Category 2c—2026 Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri Weed Control Guide. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to seed for the control of insects and disease organisms.- Includes information on labeling and inspection fee requirements, coloration of seed or grain definitions, poisonous seed treatment material standards, coloring and dyeing of grain and seed treatment material, and labeling, among other topics.
Purchase Category 2d—Seed Treatment: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
NOTE: This new Category 2e, Tobacco Sucker Control, study guide and exam are required as of Aug. 1, 2025.
- Focuses on the application of growth regulators to tobacco plants for the control of sucker growth.
Purchase Category 2e—Tobacco Sucker Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of fumigants to soil for the control of soil-inhabiting pests.- Published by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation (NASDARF), with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Purchase Category 2f—Soil Fumigation Manual. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to standing or running water, other than swimming pools, for the control of aquatic pests.
Purchase Category 3a—Aquatic Pest Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Note: This new edition and exam became available Dec. 8, 2025.
NOTE: This new Category 3b, Boat Anti-Foulant study guide and exam are required as of Aug. 1, 2025.
- Focuses on the application of anti-foulant paints to boats for the control of undesirable organisms.
Purchase Category 3b—Boat Anti-Foulant. | PDF
Focuses on the application of restricted-use pesticides to sewer pipes for the control of tree roots.
Purchase Category 3c—Sewer Root Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to forested areas for the control of tree pests and weeds and for the selective elimination of unwanted wood species as a forest management practice.
Purchase Category 4a—A Study Guide for Commercial Forest Pest Control Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to wood products, such as crossties, poles, shingles, posts, and other wood products that are not part of a structure when treated and are or will be exposed to insects, fungi, marine pests, or weather.
Purchase Category 4b—Wood Preservation: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to nonagricultural lands, such as roadways, public water courses, utility rights of way, or in close proximity to industrial sites, power stations, parking lots, and similar areas, for the control or eradication of unwanted vegetation.- NOTE: This category is permitted to make Category 6c applications.
INCLUDES
Ohio's Noxious Weeds Supplemental Guide
- Category 5 supplemental guide.
Purchase Category 5—Ohio Pesticide Applicator Training: A Study Guide for Commercial Industrial Vegetation Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to control insects and diseases of exterior ornamental plants and trees, and weeds of exterior ornamental areas, such as landscape beds, tree and shrub plantings, sidewalks, driveways, and similar areas.- NOTE: This category is permitted to make Category 6c applications.
Purchase Category 6a—A Study Guide for Commercial Ornamental Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to control insects, diseases, and weeds of indoor ornamental plants in such locations as homes, offices, shopping centers, stores, and similar sites.
Purchase Category 6b—Interior Plantscape Pest Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to exterior ornamental areas, such as landscape beds, tree and shrub plantings, sidewalks, driveways, and similar areas, for the control or eradication of unwanted vegetation.
Purchase Category 6c—A Study Guide for Commercial Ornamental Weed Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to control insects, diseases, and weeds of plants grown under glass or plastic cover.
Purchase Category 6d—Greenhouse Pest Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides other than fumigants for the control of pest birds, whether within or outside structures, and for the control of rodents and any other vertebrates.- NOTE: Moles and Canada geese included.
Focuses on the application of pesticides to lawns, turf, sod, and soil areas being prepared for the production of turf for the control of pests, except vertebrates.- NOTE: This category is permitted to make Category 6c applications.
Purchase Category 8—A Study Guide for Commercial Turfgrass Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides to domestic animals that are held as agricultural commodities or to structures in which they are confined.
Purchase Category 9—Animal Pest Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
New edition is available as PDF and print. The new exam was released April 1, 2025.- Focuses on the general commercial application of pesticides in and around human dwellings, industrial plants and offices, food-handling establishments, and other structures to control pests.
- NOTE: Category 10a is permitted to make applications to turf to control pests of the structure, but they must provide customer information, post the lawn, and keep non-structural application records.
Purchase Category 10a—General Pest Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the commercial application of pesticides for the control of termites and other invertebrate wood-destroying insects.
Purchase Category 10b—Termite Control: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the commercial application of fumigants for the control of any pests contained within certain structures or confined areas.
Purchase Category 10c—Fumigation: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of pesticides outdoors to control invertebrate pests that are a threat to public health or a nuisance to humans.- NOTE: This does not include uses covered by Category 7.
Purchase Category 10d—Mosquito, House Fly, and Vector Control Study Guide: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
No study materials currently are available. For additional information, call the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide & Fertilizer Regulation Section at 614-728-6987.
Focuses on the examination of a structure involved in a contemplated real estate transaction for the current or past existence of wood-destroying insects.- NOTE: Applicants must complete mandatory training provided by Ohio State University Extension to become licensed in Category 12 (WDI). For dates and registration information, visit pested.osu.edu/home/quick-links/wdiinspection#registration.
Purchase Category 12—Wood-Destroying Insect Diagnostic Inspection: A Study Guide for Commercial Applicators. | PDF
Focuses on the application of fertilizer to more than 50 acres of agricultural production grown primarily for sale.- Can be used as a self-study guide for exam preparation or as a reference for in-person training to meet the requirements needed to receive an agricultural fertilizer applicator certificate issued by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Purchase Training Manual: Ohio Agricultural Fertilizer Applicator Certification. | PDF