For Wyoming commercial pesticide applicators seeking to renew a valid license before it expires and for new commercial applicators seeking in-person education, a conference will be held at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Casper starting Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The 2026 conference, titled the Wyoming Applicator & Vector Education Summit (WAVES), is hosted by the Wyoming Weed Management Association, Wyoming Agriculture Business Association, University of Wyoming Extension, Wyoming Department of Agriculture and, for the first time, the Wyoming Mosquito & Vector Management Association.
The combined association meetings and educational sessions will provide a convenient one-time opportunity, says Jeremiah Vardiman, assistant coordinator of UW Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program. During the three-day combined conference Jan. 20-22, participants can bounce between concurrent educational tracks based on their interests.
The three main tracks are pesticide recertification education, Wyoming mosquito and disease vector education, and an entomology course. A separate two-day track, which will take place Jan. 20-21, is available for new commercial pesticide applicators.
For commercial applicators seeking recertification, attending this conference provides the 24 hours of continuing education credits (CECs) required for license renewal. To receive CECs, participants must attend the entire conference no matter how many CECs they have prior to the event.
The two-day educational program for new commercial applicators will provide instruction on the basics of pesticide safety and pest management. Participation in this program is optional for new applicators and does not result in licensure.
To obtain a Wyoming commercial pesticide applicator license, individuals must complete the required examinations. Exam questions are based on the Wyoming Pesticide Safety Education Program manuals. Attending the new applicator program does not prepare individuals to pass the pesticide licensing exams and testing is not available during the WAVES conference.
Participation in the two-day new applicator program does not provide any CECs for renewal of a valid license.
To register for WAVES, visit https://bit.ly/psep-waves-26.
Registration costs $150 per person and includes snacks, lunches and the Wednesday evening banquet. Hotel registration and all other meals are not included in the registration cost.
Check-in is available Monday, Jan. 19, at 5 p.m. or Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 7 a.m., with the event starting at 8 a.m.
Commercial pesticide applicator licenses, issued by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA), are required for any person 18 years of age or older seeking to purchase, use, or supervise the use of all pesticides (general and restricted) on a for-hire basis or employment. This includes independent contractors and employed applicators as well as city, county, state, and federal employees who apply pesticides as part of their job.
Commercial applicators are certified in one or more categories and may use pesticides only in the categories for which they are certified.
For more information, visit uwyoextension.org/psep. Contact Vardiman at jvardima@uwyo.edu or (307) 837-2956 with questions.
