State moves to allow online pesticide certification exams using contractor Everblue

The Agency of Agriculture, Food Markets told the committee it plans to allow pesticide certification exams to be taken online through a private contractor, Everblue, once an internal contract is signed and procedural reviews are complete.

The change, explained by Steve Bueno of the Agency of Agriculture, Food Markets, would let applicants take proctored exams online instead of in person, reducing the number of staff days spent administering in-person tests and making testing more convenient for applicants who now may travel long distances to sit for an exam.

The move follows a request in last year’s technical bill and a report that Ways and Means asked the agency to provide. "The way the system is set up is we don't collect the fee for the exam," Bueno said, adding that the contract allows the vendor to charge a $60 fee for administering an online exam. He said the state will continue to provide free in-person exams.

Committee members pressed for operational details. Bueno said the online exams are AI-proctored with human review and that a question bank will randomize items so different test-takers receive different questions. He noted University of Vermont classes and vendor materials are available to prepare and that continuing-education credits must still be approved by the agency.

Key details discussed - Contract status: Bueno said the contract had completed the Agency Digital Services protocol review and was awaiting the ADS commissioner's signature; once signed, the state would send it to Everblue for execution. "When we get that signature, then then we can send it to Everblue and they can sign it," he said. - Fee structure: Under the vendor contract, Everblue may charge applicants about $60 per online exam; the agency will continue to provide free in-person exams. Bueno also said "the first exam for the state is free. The second time, if you have taken a second, you have to pay $25, and we'll collect that." - Test administration burden: The agency estimated roughly 800+ exams annually and said online testing should increase throughput; Bueno said he expected exam volume to rise and that an increase in numbers could lower the vendor fee to $50 per exam under contract terms. - Security and approval: Bueno said the vendor service is AI-proctored with human review and that the agency’s plan for certification training has EPA approval under federal pesticide law (FIFRA).

What the committee did and what’s next No formal vote was taken in committee. The agency said it would finalize internal approvals, execute the contract with Everblue, and return with supplemental data on applicant numbers, pass rates by category and other operational metrics. Bueno offered to provide the committee the number of certified applicators by category and historical pass rates by email.

The committee also discussed longer-term statutory questions that may return next session, including restrictions on retake timing; Bueno said the current rules that limit repeat tests (including waits of up to a year after multiple failures) are likely to be revisited.

Why it matters State certification is required to purchase or apply certain restricted-use pesticides or to operate as a commercial applicator. Allowing online, proctored exams could reduce travel/time costs for test-takers and free agency staff for inspection and other duties, while shifting the direct exam-administration fee to the vendor rather than the agency.

Ending The agency expects the contract to move forward once the Agency Digital Services signature is secured; committee members requested follow-up with precise counts of applicants, category-by-category pass rates and projected uptake rates for the online option.