1. Pesticide Certification
and the Green Industry
Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
July, 2002

2. Who needs certification ?
Private Applicators
Registered Technicians
Commercial Applicators
For Hire
Not For Hire
Certification ... and the Green Industry

3. Certification vs Certificate
By passing the exam, you earn 2 years of “certification”
To document that fact, you’ll be sent a “certificate”
Certification ... and the Green Industry

4. Certification ... and the Green Industry
Private Applicators
Farm
Nursery
Greenhouse
Certification ... and the Green Industry

5. Registered Technician
Must have 40 hours training under a licensed applicator
Training should include classroom and on-the-job
Must pass the Registered Tech exam
$15.00 per year fee
Liability of the supervisor
Certification ... and the Green Industry

6. Registered Technicians may…
Use general use pesticides without supervision
Use RUP with supervision
Certification ... and the Green Industry

7. Commercial Applicators
Categories
3a Ornamental - Outside
3b Ornamentals - Inside
3c Turf
Certification ... and the Green Industry

8. How to become a commercial applicator….
After 12 months as a registered technician you are eligible to take the commercial exams
If you can document previous training and/or experience equivilent to 12 months as a registered technician
Certification ... and the Green Industry

9. Certification ... and the Green Industry
Commercial - For Hire
Any applicator who uses any pesticide on any property in exchange for compensation
Except as exempt for:
Not for Hire
Certification ... and the Green Industry

10. Commercial - Not for Hire
No Certification required …...If the applicator uses general use pesticides only…on property owned or leased by his empoyer
Certification ... and the Green Industry

11. Not for Hire - Exceptions
Must be certified, if:
Use any RUP. or
Use any pesticides, around:
educational institutions
health care facilities
day care facilities
where food is stored, or sold
on recreational land > 5 acres
Certification ... and the Green Industry

12. Certification ... and the Green Industry
Renewal
Your certificate must be renewed each year.
Your certification must be renewed every 2 years. You can earn additional credit up to 5 years.
But the certificate must be renewed every year
Certification ... and the Green Industry

13. How to renew your certificate
Each year VDACS will send you a renewal application. It will list the status of your certification and instruct you to sign it and return it with you certificate of insurance and your annual fee.
Ignoring this form could cause you to need re-testing.
Certification ... and the Green Industry

14. Certification ... and the Green Industry
How to re-certify
At least every two years, you’ll need to attend a state approved recertification workshop. There is no testing required.
Your attendance will be certified by the workshop coordinator, and submitted to VDACS for you.
Certification ... and the Green Industry

15. Certification ... and the Green Industry
When ?
Commercial certificates expire June 30
Private certificates expire December 31
Certification ... and the Green Industry

16. Certification ... and the Green Industry
For more information:
Chesterfield Extension Office
Fax
Certification ... and the Green Industry