The Pesticides Act (chapter P-9.3) stipulates that pesticide vendors and users must demonstrate knowledge in their respective fields in order to obtain a certificate from the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP). Certification exams offered bySOFAD are prescribed under this law and are conducted exclusively online. The certificate is issued by the MELCCFP once the applicant has passed the exam prescribed or recognized by the MELCCFP.
Training is not mandatory but is recommended to acquire the knowledge necessary to pass the certification exam. For more information, visit: www.quebec.ca/agriculture-environnement-et-ressources-naturelles/protection-de-lenvironnement/pesticides. (In French only)
IMPORTANT: Recent Regulatory Changes – Wholesale Sales (A)
As of January 1, 2025, new provisions of the Pesticides Management Code are in effect regarding the wholesale of pesticides.
The document Your Main Obligations as a Holder of a Wholesale Pesticides Sales Permit (Category A) outlines these new provisions and complements the learning guides.
IMPORTANT: Recent Regulatory Changes – Retail Sales of Class 1 to 3B Pesticides (B1)
As of July 6, 2025, new provisions of the Pesticides Management Code are in effect regarding the retail sale of pesticides.
The document Your Main Obligations as a Holder of a Retail Sales Permit for Class 1 to 3B Pesticides (Subcategory B1) outlines these new provisions and complements the learning guides.
IMPORTANT: Recent Regulatory Changes – Retail Sales of Class 4 Pesticides (B2)
As of July 6, 2025, new provisions of the Pesticides Management Code are in effect regarding the retail sale of Class 4 pesticides.
The document Your Main Obligations as a Holder of a Retail Sales Permit for Class 4 Pesticides (Subcategory B2) outlines these new provisions and complements the learning guides.
IMPORTANT: Recent Regulatory Changes – Indoor Plant Maintenance (CD10)
As of July 6, 2025, new provisions of the Pesticides Management Code are in effect regarding the maintenance of indoor plants. These changes aim to better protect public health.
The document Pesticides for Indoor Plant Maintenance: Your Obligations and Responsibilities outlines these new provisions and complements the learning guide Building Applications for Horticultural Purposes.
To verify the certificate relevant to your sector of activity, consult the dataset available at: https://www.donneesquebec.ca/recherche/dataset/examens-prescrits-reconnus-certificat-pesticides. You may also contact your regional office by phone or email, or use the following information request form: https://www.environnement.gouv.qc.ca/formulaires/renseignements.asp.
SOFAD offers multiple options to allow you to properly prepare for your exam.
Printed guides for exam preparation are available.
Click here to view the available guides.
Presented in the same form as the certification examination, pre-evaluation will allow you to determine whether you are prepared enough to take the examination.
You can download the pre-evaluation (along with the answer booklet and appendix) for the EXAMSTI-01 examination free of charge by clicking on the following link: Use of Pesticides – Application on Raw Land.
You can also download the guide Utilisation des pesticides en terrain inculte (in French only) free of charge at
https://adm/min/environnement/pesticides/guide-apprentissage-utilisation-terrain-inculte.pdf.
Please note that this guide was developed by the MELCCFP.
SOFAD does not offer distance education for this course.
Online pretests allow candidates to assess whether they are ready to take a certification exam related to the sale or use of pesticides.
They consist of 25 questions, and test-takers can see their result for each question.
The pretests serve as an indicator to evaluate a candidate’s level of preparation but do not guarantee success on the actual exam.
The online pretests (in French only) cover the Tronc commun pour les utilisateurs de pesticides for pesticides users, as well as the certificates for the following sub-categories:
Click on the following link Policy on the Administration of Prescribed Exams to review the policy on the administration of prescribed exams leading to certification in pesticide matters.
To register for a certification exam, click on the appropriate link and order its access key.