The university of Kentucky manages and administers the Private Pesticide Applicator training and certification program under a memorandum of agreement with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.  This program enables farmers to purchase and use Restricted Use Pesticides as part of their farming operations. Trainings are done by county agents using materials provided through the KY Pesticide Safety and Education Program and consist of a minimum 3 hour class or an optional written exam. The certification is good for three years, after which the farmers must go through the same process to be re-certified. At the end of 2023, there were 10,707 certified private pesticide applicators, 2,542 of which are 1st-time applicators, and 46 Non-certified applicators. The non-certified category of applicator was approved in 2022 and became available mid-year 2023.