A certified pesticide applicator is someone who has shown their qualifications to use pesticides that are restricted by the state or the federal government. They have also demonstrated their ability to supervise others as they apply these pesticides. What Does a Pesticide Applicator Do?
Full Answer
Who can sell pesticide applicator certifications?
Only licensed pesticide dealers can sell them. There are two main classifications of certified applicators: private and commercial. These certifications and the requirements to attain (initial certification) and retain (recertification) them are described in this publication.
How many types of pesticide applicators are there?
Currently there are 25 categories of commercial and public applicators (see "Pesticide Certification Categories and Recertification Credit Requirements"). To be eligible for certification, a person must pass two written examinations (core and category) and be employed by a pesticide application business.
What happens when a pesticide applicator's certification expires?
If an applicator's certification expires, further use of pesticides that would otherwise be permitted is prohibited. However, the applicator has up to one year to reinstate the certification by obtaining the necessary recertification credits and paying the appropriate fees.
What training is required to become a pesticide applicator?
Private applicators are also required to obtain update training (six core and six private category) credits at three-year intervals. Currently there are 25 categories of commercial and public applicators (see "Pesticide Certification Categories and Recertification Credit Requirements").
How many certified pesticide applicators are there in the US?
approximately one million pesticide applicatorsThere are approximately one million pesticide applicators in the United States certified to use RUPs and an estimate of 930,000 noncertified applicators.
How do I get certified to spray pesticides in Michigan?
Registered applicators must pass the general standard exam (CORE) and complete a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development approved training program coordinated by an MDARD Approved Trainer. The training program must be verifiable and category specific.
How do you get a spraying license in VA?
Get your pest control applicator license by completing an application and passing a Virginia applicator exam....Virginia examination and training programs and information:Pesticide Applicator Training.Applicator Training - Virginia Pesticide Safety.Pesticide Training - Prince William County Government.
How do I get a pesticide license in Oklahoma?
Applicants send the completed application form to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry once they successfully pass the Private Applicator exam. A pre-addressed envelope is provided in the study packet. A score of 70% or better is required to pass the test.
Do I need a license to spray Roundup in Michigan?
What pesticide application activities require a license in Michigan? The state of Michigan requires individuals to be either a certified pesticide applicator or registered applicator to apply a pesticide for a commercial purpose or in the course of his or her employment.
Do I need a license to apply fertilizer in Michigan?
Licensing is required for firms that have their names on the labeling or invoicing for an agricultural fertilizer manufactured or distributed in Michigan. All specialty (non-farm use) fertilizers or soil conditioners distributed in Michigan must be registered by the manufacturer or distributor.
Do I need a license to spray herbicides in VA?
Your business must, at a minimum, have an employee take and pass the Virginia Pesticide Business License Exam. You should apply for this examination at the same time as you submit the Application for a Pesticide Business License.
Who regulates exterminators in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and consumer ServicesThe Virginia Department of Agriculture and consumer Services regulates the certification of pesticide applicators. To maintain certification, commercial applicators must be recertified every two years.
How long is pest control training?
3 monthsHow long is pest control training? On average, pest control technician programs take 3 months to complete.
Do I need a license to apply fertilizer in Oklahoma?
The annual license fee for persons operating a business engaged in the distribution or sale of fertilizer shall be Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and expire on a date to be determined by the State Board of Agriculture. B. All fertilizer dealers shall obtain a license from the Board for each business location.
Do I need a license to sell plants in Oklahoma?
Q: Do I need a nursery license with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry if I plan to sell cuttings? A: Yes, since you are selling live plants.
Do I need a license to spray herbicides in Michigan?
Pesticides. All agricultural dealers in the state of Michigan must be licensed.
Who needs a pesticide license in Michigan?
A commercial applicators certification is required if you are applying RUPs or any pesticide for hire. To obtain commercial certification, you must pass the commercial Core exam—75 questions covering a wide spectrum of topics important to all applicators.
Do you need a license to spray for mosquitoes in Michigan?
Michigan does not require any prerequisite schooling or education to obtain a private pest control license or a commercial pest control license, except for aerial licenses.
How do I start a pest control business in Michigan?
Cost: A $100 license fee submitted to the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development along with: A Pesticide Application Business License renewal form. Proof of required insurance coverage. A notarized letter verifying pesticide application experience (only for businesses adding new license categories).
What is a pesticide applicator?
Pesticide Applicator Certification and Licensing. Pesticides are vital tools for managing pests that reduce crop yield and quality, spread disease, congest our waterways, or jeopardize our quality of life. Common types of pesticides include herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and insecticides. The goal of pesticide applicator certification ...
How to become a pesticide applicator in NC?
To enroll in a pesticide school (fees apply), visit the NC Pesticide Safety Education Program website (see the contact information below). Attendance at a pesticide school is not required for certification. Anyone who wants to be certified as a pesticide applicator must take the appropriate exam ( s). The certification exams are developed, administered, and graded by the Structural Pest Control & Pesticides Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). To register for an exam only, call the NCDA&CS (see the contact information below). Exam dates and locations are listed on the Pesticide Safety Education Program and the NCDA&CS websites.
How to check pesticide recertification status?
Pesticide recertification credit status (number of credits earned per category) can also be checked through the NCDA&CS website by clicking on the link to “Licensee Search / Credit Status Search.” Allow two to three weeks for attendance records to be posted on this site. Credits are not carried over from one recertification period to the next. Taking and passing the appropriate certification exam is the only alternative to recertification via continuing education credits.
What is a pesticide dealer license?
3. Pesticide Dealer: Any individual who sells restricted-use pesticides to certified or licensed end users must have a pesticide dealer’s license. Each sales outlet must have a licensed dealer. Dealer certification requires passing the Dealer Exam ($50 fee). No specialty area is needed. A pesticide dealer license must be renewed annually ($75 fee). A dealer cannot legally apply pesticides to the property of another person without an applicator license.
What is the North Carolina Pesticide Law?
The North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971 further requires licensing of any individual who is compensated to apply any pesticide (whether restricted-use or general-use) to someone else’s property; any public operator; and any golf course operator. Pest control consultants and dealers who sell restricted-use pesticides also must be licensed. Each business location must have a licensed pesticide applicator on staff.
How to become a pesticide safety instructor?
Earn 4 hours of continuing education credits. Two-hour pesticide safety classes (category “V” training) are offered at each local Cooperative Extension county center. In addition to this 2-hour pesticide safety class, each private applicator must attend at least 2 hours of specialized training (category “X” training) during the three-year recertification period. Specialized training credits may be earned by attending educational meetings approved for credit by NCDA&CS and conducted by Cooperative Extension, commodity groups, private industry, or other associations. Call your local Extension county center, visit the Pesticide Safety Education Program, or the NCDA&CS websites for a listing of approved classes. Private soil fumigation requires 1 credit in a fumigation-specific topic during the three-year recertification period.
What are the different types of pesticides?
Common types of pesticides include herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and insecticides. The goal of pesticide applicator certification and licensing is to protect people, property, the food supply, and the environment from both pests and pesticide misuse by ensuring the initial and continued competence of pesticide applicators.
Who administers pesticide applicator certification?
Some pesticide applicator certification exams are administered by the Cooperative Extension Service, and some are administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
How long is a pesticide license valid?
Restricted use pesticide licenses are valid for four years and expire at the end of the month four years from issue date.
How to renew pesticide license?
To renew a pesticide applicator license, applicators must first become recertified by: 1 Retaking the certification exams or 2 Accumulating Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
What happens if you don't renew your pesticide license?
If a license is not renewed before it expires, no restricted use pesticides may be purchased or applied until the license is renewed.
How long does a Florida license last?
Florida licenses can be issued for a term of no more than four years, so the expiration date on the Florida license may not be the same as the expiration date on the reciprocal license.
Do you need a license to apply pesticides in Florida?
However, the license requirement is not waived. All individuals who apply restricted use pesticides in Florida or who apply any pesticide in Florida by aerial delivery must have a Florida license issued by FDACS.
How to become a certified private applicator?
To become a certified private applicator, testing is required; however, normally only a private examination is necessary. Additional testing is required if the applicator intends to use a restricted use fumigant. In this case, the applicator must obtain a special permit by passing a written examination specifically related to the type of fumigation that will be made. Private applicators are also required to obtain update training (six core and six private category) credits at three-year intervals.
What are the two groups of pesticide applicators?
Applicator certification can be divided into two groups: Commercial and Public Applicators. Private Applicators.
What is a registered pesticide technician?
Registered technicians are those applicators who have received training as required under subsection 128.51 of the Pennsylvania Pesticide Rules and Regulations. Simply stated, these applicators have completed minimum training requirements under the direction of an applicator with at least one year's certification in the category for which the technician is being trained. They must also be under the supervision of a certified applicator who can be on site within 5 hours if necessary. Registered technicians must be re-registered and receive update training on an annual basis.
What is a pesticide application business?
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) defines a pesticide application business as a government entity or commercial establishment engaged in the application of pesticides and meeting the definition of a public or commercial applicator. This includes individual operators that meet the definition a of a commercial or public applicator.
What is a pesticide notification?
Notification procedures for pesticide applications. Pesticides are substances that control, kill, or mitigate pest organisms. They include, but are not limited to, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and rodenticides. This brochure briefly explains why certification is necessary and the process of becoming a certified pesticide applicator.
How long does it take to notify a pesticide company of a pesticide application?
Notification is mandatory and must be made not less than 12 hours and not more than 72 hours prior to the pesticide application.
What is the Pennsylvania Pesticide Hypersensitivity Registry?
The Pennsylvania Pesticide Hypersensitivity Registry, which is maintained by the PDA, is a list of people who have been verified by a physician to be excessively or abnormally sensitive to pesticides. Commercial and public pesticide applicators must contact anyone on the registry whose listed location is within 500 feet of a pesticide application site.
What is a commercial applicator?
Commercial Applicators (For Hire) Use any pesticides on others' property in exchange for compensation. Must work for a company with a Pesticide Business License. Commercial Applicators (Not for Hire) Use any pesticides as part of job duties, on property owned or leased by them or their employers. Use pesticides as a government employee.
How many acres can you use pesticides on?
Use pesticides on any recreational land over five acres. Registered Technicians. Operate under the supervision of a commercial applicator when applying restricted-use pesticides. Have not completed the requirements for commercial certification.
How many certifications are there for pesticide applicators?
Currently there are 26 categories of commercial and public applicators.
How long does it take to become a pesticide technician?
To become Registered Technician the business must submit the person’s name and date of birth to the Department using the Registered Technician Form, which will start a minimum 30-day training period.
How much does it cost to become a private applicator?
To become a certified private applicator, testing is required. There is no charge for the exam. Once the exam is successfully passed, there is an initial $10.00 fee for the license. Additional testing is required if the applicator intends to use a restricted use fumigant.
Is PDA required for pesticides?
Additionally, all licensing requirements, including certification, renewing, and continuing education credits, are valid and required for all pesticide applicators and pesticide businesses.
Do you need a license to use disinfectant?
A pesticide applicator license is not required to apply disinfectants and sanitizers (except for those commercial/public applicators making applications to a swimming pool or cooling tower.) All disinfectant and sanitizer products for use on surfaces are required to be registered and have an EPA registration number on the label. Users must adhere to the product label instructions.
Is the pesticide applicator exam resumed?
Pesticide applicator exam sessions have resumed on a limited basis. Those attending the exam session will be required to follow new protocols including social distancing. The PaPlants website, www.paplants.pa.gov, is being updated with the latest exam schedule as sessions become available.
Pesticide Applicator Certification Process
If you have taken a certification exam through Metro Institute or re-certification seminars to renew your pesticide applicator certification, please be aware you must complete the certification/registration process by submitting a paper "Pesticide Applicator Certification/Registration Application" and application fee to MDARD.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity Between States The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development has reciprocal agreements with Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
What is a certified commercial applicator?
A certified commercial applicator is defined as the person who is responsible for providing pest control services, including inspection and identification, for a licensed pest control business which provides and solicits pest control services. A certified applicator may provide training and supervision to apprentices and technicians registered ...
What is a responsible certified applicator?
A responsible certified applicator is an individual designated and notified by the business license holder to be responsible for training and supervision of all pest control operations of the business. The person may be employed by other business location (s) as a certified commercial applicator, but may only be the designated responsible certified ...
How many CEUs do you need to be a pesticide applicator?
Applicators must earn two CEUs in general training and one in each category in which the applicator is certified. Of the two general category units, at least one must be in federal and state laws, pesticide safety, environmental protection or integrated pest management.
How to take the certified applicator exam?
To take the certified applicator exams you will need to submit the “Application for Certified Applicator Exam and License” form found here or by applying online (here) . ***Please Note*** No EXAM FEES need to be included with this application; PSI will collect the fees for the examinations. However, the $125.00 licensing fee will be due, unless paid on a previous application. Once processed, you will be sent correspondence from TDA either requesting further information or advising you of your eligibility and giving you instructions on scheduling the exams.
