Initial Training Sessions

The training sessions listed on this page are for those seeking a new commercial or noncommercial pesticide applicator license, or adding a new category to an existing license. Each session provides a review of the content presented in our study manuals for the applicator categories being offered, plus an opportunity to take the NDA-administered certification exams required to become a commercial or noncommercial applicator (or add a category to a private, commercial, or noncommercial license). To attend an initial training session, you must preregister online ahead of time.

Select a training session based on:

  • location, and
  • the applicator categories offered.

You can certify in General Standards (category 00, required for all commercial/noncommercial applicators) plus one applicator category per session.

All initial training sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. local time.

If you have questions about the registration process, please email us at pested@unl.edu.

Weather Cancellations

Are you wondering whether your training session has been canceled due to weather or road conditions? Please call the training site, or listen to your local radio or TV station for updates. Do not take unnecessary risks if weather or road conditions are hazardous—your safety is important.

Contact a training site
Training Site Contact List
Training SitePrimary ContactContact Information
BeatriceNicole Stoner

Phone: 402-223-1384

Email: nicole.stoner@unl.edu

ColumbusTJ Prochaska

Phone: 402-352-3821

Email: tprochaska2@unl.edu

Grand IslandElizabeth Exstrom

Phone: 308-385-5088

Email: eexstrom2@unl.edu

HoldregeTalon Mues

Phone: 308-324-5501

Email: tmues3@unl.edu

LincolnKait Chapman

Phone: 402-441-7180

Email: kchapman13@unl.edu

NorfolkWayne Ohnesorg

Phone: 402-370-4040

Email: wohnesorg2@unl.edu

North PlatteDave Boxler

Phone: 308-284-6051

Email: dave.boxler@unl.edu

Omaha

Jody Green

Dana Freeman

John Fech

Phone: 402-444-7804

Email: jgreen17@unl.edu

Email: dana.freeman@unl.edu

Email: jfech1@unl.edu

O'NeillAmy Timmerman

Phone: 402-336-2760

Email: atimmerman2@unl.edu

ScottsbluffGary Stone

Phone: 308-632-1230

Email: gstone2@unl.edu

2026 Initial Training Schedule

2026 Initial Training Schedule
SessionLocationDate
Omaha (categories offered: 00 - 03 - 04 - 06 - 08 - 08w)Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office1/27/2026
Norfolk (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 06 - 07 - 08 - 08w)Madison County Extension Office2/03/2026
Grand Island (categories offered: 00 - 04 - 05 - 06 - 08 - 08w - 10)Hall County Extension Office2/05/2026
North Platte (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 03 - 05 - 07 - 09)West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center2/05/2026
Columbus (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 08 - 08w)AG Park Clubroom2/11/2026
Grand Island (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 06 - 07 - 09 - 11 - 14)Hall County Extension Office2/12/2026
Norfolk (categories offered: 00 - 04 - 07 - 08 - 08w - 09)Madison County Extension Office2/12/2026
Lincoln (categories offered: 00 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 07 - 08 - 08w - 09)Lancaster County Extension Office2/17/2026
Scottsbluff (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 09 - 11)Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center2/24/2026
Omaha (categories offered: 00 - 04 - 05 - 07 - 09 - 14)Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office3/03/2026
North Platte (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 07 - 08 - 08w)West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center3/05/2026
Lincoln (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 07 - 08 - 08w - 11)Lancaster County Extension Office3/10/2026
Scottsbluff (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 07 - 14)Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center3/10/2026
Norfolk (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 05 - 10 - 14)Madison County Extension Office3/17/2026
Scottsbluff (categories offered: 00 - 04 - 05 - 07 - 08 - 08w)Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center3/17/2026
Beatrice (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 06 - 09)Gage County Extension Office3/19/2026
Holdrege (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 07 - 09)Phelps County Agricultural Center3/25/2026
Scottsbluff (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04)Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center3/31/2026
North Platte (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 05 - 11 - 14)West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center4/07/2026
O'Neill (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 09)Holt County Courthouse Annex4/07/2026
Lincoln (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 05 - 07 - 10 - 14)Lancaster County Extension Office4/08/2026
Norfolk (categories offered: 00 - 01 - 04 - 08 - 09)Madison County Extension Office4/08/2026

 

Training Site Addresses

AG Park Clubroom: 822 15th St., Columbus, NE

Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office: 8015 W. Center Rd., Omaha, NE

Gage County Extension Office: 1115 W. Scott St., Beatrice, NE

Hall County Extension Office: 3180 W. Highway 34, Grand Island, NE

Holt County Courthouse Annex: 128 N. 6th St., Suite 100, O'Neill, NE

Lancaster County Extension Office: 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Lincoln, NE

Madison County Extension Office: 1305 S. 13th St., Norfolk, NE

Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center: 4502 Ave. I, Scottsbluff, NE

Phelps County Agricultural Center: 1308 2nd St., Holdrege, NE

West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center: 402 W. State Farm Rd., North Platte, NE