Certifications and Trainings
Certified Pesticide Applicators
Virginia Cooperative Extension provides training, education, and technical resources for citizens seeking to be certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as pesticide applicators.
In Virginia, all private users of restricted-use pesticides, all aerial applicators, and most commercial applicators must be certified. Commercial applicator certification requirements depend on the applicator's class and scope of work. The Commonwealth of Virginia requires everyone applying pesticides for hire in the state to be a certified Commercial Applicator or a Registered Technician working under the direct supervision of a certified Commercial Applicator. The same is true for government employees that use pesticides on the job. Private Applicators of pesticides such as farmers or nursery people must be certified to purchase or use pesticides categorized as restricted-use.
For more information contact:
Your local Extension agent or Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs
Certified Beef Quality Assurance Producers
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is an educational program developed to ensure that beef and dairy cattle are managed in a manner that will result in a safe and wholesome beef product for the consumer. The Virginia BQA Certification Program is based on scientific research and national guidelines. The program enables beef and dairy producers to enhance their product, maximize marketability, and strengthen consumer confidence. Virginia Cooperative Extension provides hands-on training and technical assistance and certifies livestock producers.
For more information contact:
Your local Extension agent or Virginia Beef Quality Assurance
Virginia Master Gardeners
Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners (VCE-MGs) are volunteers with Extension dedicated to working with the community to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management educational programs. VCE provides training and certification.
For more information contact:
Your local Extension agent or Virginia Master Gardener Program
Virginia Master Naturalists
Citizens who enjoy the outdoors, are curious about nature, and want to be a part of natural resource management can become Virginia Master Naturalists. Local chapters provide training and certification. The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is jointly sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
For more information contact:
Your local Extension agent or Virginia Master Naturalist
Virginia Master Well Owners
Over one million homes in Virginia rely on private well, springs, or cisterns. Virginia Cooperative Extension trains volunteers in all aspects of water quality, source water protection, and proper well construction and maintenance and provides certification.
For more information contact:
Your local Extension agent or Virginia Master Well Owner Network