Optional NWCOA Training Opportunities
Optional NWCOA Training Opportunities
Looking to expand your knowledge even further, start your Expo trip early or stay late to take advantage of these optional training opportunities!
Advanced Operator Training Course (AOTC) (2-day course)
Monday, February 9th & Tuesday, February 10th
$450/ person for NPMA & NWCOA Members
$525/person for Non-Members
The NWCOA Certified Advanced Wildlife Control Operator Training Course has been newly revamped and is offered by NWCOA to train established WCOs that perform wildlife management services in or on residential and commercial properties. This is a two-day, in-depth course that looks at topics central to professional operations for wildlife control operators. It is structured as a practical, case study in a live virtual classroom style training course.
Technical course topics include:
- advanced structural inspection and exclusion
- advanced removal techniques and tools
- advanced safety
- advanced traps and equipment
- sales and customer interactions
- moles, ground squirrels, and gophers
- woodchuck, marmots, armadillos, and porcupines
- beaver, nutria, and muskrat control
- animal behavior
- commensal rodents
- venomous and non-venomous snakes and reptiles
Upon successful completion of this course and a test, the WCO will receive a certificate of completion, use of the logo and become a Certified Advanced Wildlife Control Operator. Participants must hold a current NWCOA Certified Wildlife Operator Certification prior to attending the Advanced Wildlife Control Operator class.
**The prerequisite to this course is WCOTC and can be taken online anytime**
Rodent Standards
Monday, February 9th | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
$235/ person for NPMA & NWCOA Members
$310/person for Non-Members
The NWCOA Rodent Standards Certified course aims to educate Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs) and Pest Control Operators (PCOs) on frequently encountered and often overlooked rodent species. This course discusses the biology, behavior and identification these species as well as the various control methods and exclusion effective for each.
The Rodent Standards Certified Course covers rodent biology, control methods, inspection and ID, habitat management and exclusion, disease, laws, regulations, and toxicants, and much more. This course is a one day training course taught by Certified NWCOA Instructors. Upon completion of this course and successful passing of a test, the WCO will become NWCOA Rodent Standards Certified. Successful students will also receive a certificate of completion and have use of the logo mark in marketing materials.
Bird Management 1
Tuesday, February 10th | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
$235/ person for NPMA & NWCOA Members
$310/person for Non-Members
The NWCOA Certified Bird Management Course, Part 1 will be offered by NWCOA to train WCOs that currently perform or wish to add residential and small commercial bird management to their wildlife management services. This course is a one-day, classroom style training course taught by Master NWCOA Instructors and Certified NWCOA Instructors.
Upon successful completion of this course and a test, the WCO will receive a certificate of completion, use of the logo mark and become a NWCOA Certified Bird Management Professional.
Get Bent! One-Day Next Level Advanced Course
Friday, February 13th | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
$600/ person for NPMA & NWCOA Members
$700/person for Non-Members
*Limited availability only 26 spots available
The Get Bent Academy Next Level Advanced Course is an elite, 100% hands-on training experience built for professionals who already possess a strong foundation in metal fabrication and exclusion work.
This class pushes your skills to the limit—focusing on the precision techniques required to fully wrap a structure in metal while achieving clean, seamless, and durable results.
Students will take on advanced fabrication challenges including:
- Miter wrapping corners and creating seamless transitions
- Forming and installing metal around complex crown profiles
- Wrapping an entire gable with professional-grade finish work
- Executing intricate soffit return repairs and advanced bends
- Crown forming around corners using precise offset measurements
Each participant will work hands-on with a custom mock building, testing their ability to plan, cut, bend, and install advanced assemblies with real-world accuracy.
This course is not for beginners. A solid understanding of basic metal fabrication and tool use is required to complete the challenges successfully.
Graduates of the Next Level Course walk away with master craftsmanship, advanced exclusion knowledge, and the confidence to perform the industry’s most complex metalwork in the field.
