Who needs to be certified to apply any type of pesticides?

Well, to start with few facts and figures.

By the U.S. federal law, any person who applies restricted use pesticides should undergo a Pest control Certification test, and by so he/she should be certified in accordance with EPA regulations and laws.

Yet, how can one get certified?

As mentioned, in order to get certified in accordance with EPA, one should undergo a pest control certification test.

On the other hand, there are states that do not require, but most of the U.S. States do require all commercial applicators to be certified.

According to EPA standards for certification of commercial applicators- the candidate should gain practical knowledge.

Commercial applicators should gain practical knowledge of the following aspects:

• Core Pesticide safety and use;
• Pesticide label comprehension;
• Pest identification and management;
• Pesticides in the environment;
• Pesticide application equipment and application techniques;
• Pesticide laws and regulations;

To continue, in the U.S. there are 10 federal categories of certifications.

These categories of certification include agricultural pest control, ornamental pest control, forest pest control, seed treatment, aquatic pest control, industrial pest control, right-of-way pest control, public health pest control, regulatory pest control, as well as demonstration and research pest control.

1. Determine Your Pest Control Credential Needs

To continue with the determination of your pest control credential needs.

First of all, any person who does apply pesticides should have obtained an operational certification.

The same goes for the people who assist in the same process.

In other words, I refer to the operator License.

The aim of the certification is to allow a person to use pesticides.

More precisely every person that is part of a commercial pest company should have to have an operational certificate.

So, seeing these facts and figures, you will have to determine your pest control credential needs since there are different types of pest certifications.

The types of pest control certifications include the following

• Commercial Pesticide Applicator– If you need to obtain this certification then you will have to complete a New Pesticide Applicator License Application Form, to pay an application fee and surcharges before taking the actual exams, to pass at least 2 certification exams, to meet the Financial Responsibility Requirements.
• Structural Pest Control Applicator– In order to become a structural pest control operator, one should complete a New Structural Pest Control Applicator License Application Form, to pay the application fee before taking the certification exam, as well as to pass the certification exam, to meet the Financial Responsibility Requirements.
• Non-commercial Pesticide Applicator– You will need this certification if you are planning to apply restricted use of pesticides, so in order to become licensed as an applicant you will have to complete a New Pesticide Applicator License Application Form, to pay application fee and surcharge before taking certification exams, to pass at least 2 certification exams and to recertify and renew the certificate as needed.
• Private Pesticide Applicator Certification– The private pesticide applicator certification is dedicated to the people that are applying pesticides to lands or sites that they own, manage or rent. The application process is the following- you will have to apply for a certification at the University of Minnesota Extension website (if you are located in Minnesota, to pay and pass the online exam, as well as to see MDA details for private applicator certification.

By seeing these types of pest certification you can determine the real certification of your needs.

2. Pest Control Certification Eligibility Requirements

Before you start the process of taking a pest control certification test, you will have to check whether you meet one or more of the following eligibility requirements.

So, it goes like this. The person applying for a commercial pesticide applicator certification will have to full-fill the following requirements:

• One year of experience as a technician with an additional 12 hours of category-specific training;
• Three years of full-time experience as an apprentice working in the area in which the person is seeking certification;
• To have three years of experience as a certified private applicator in a corresponding private category;

3. How To Get Your Pest Control Certification Test Materials

Since you have already determined your pest control credentials and you know the eligibility requirements, now it is time for you to order your study materials.

There are two ways to order your study materials, via the U.S. Mail or you can order the materials online.

The choice is yours.

Yet, you have to be aware of the fact that it might take up to a few weeks for you to receive the manuals.

So plan it ahead.

On the other hand if you choose to go through this process online, then you can do it using the new ePLACE Portal.

Via visiting the ePLACE Portal you will be enabled to take the following options:

• Apply for the pest control certification test;
• To apply for a new certification license;
• Submit proof of insurance;
• Renew your license;
• Submit all examination and licensing fees via checking account or credit card;

So, now you must be asking yourself what the exam fees will be?

To start with the applicator license exam which costs $75.

And to continue with the following, the private certification exam costs $125.

The commercial pest control certification test, on the other hand, costs $125 the same as the dealer license exam.

Whereas, the catch basin permit exam comes for free.

It is good for all applicants to note that there are no refunds on the paid money as well as cancellations.

On the other hand, it is always the best to schedule and to pay for the pest control certification test.

You can do that at least for 7 working days prior to the exam.

4. Take Your Pest Control Certification Test

As previously mentioned, make sure that you have all regularities done at least 7 working days prior to the exam.

Also, you will have to take into account that the candidates who come late at the pest control certification test, will not be allowed to take the test. In like manner, they will not get their refunds too.

The process of the pest control certification test continues with checking in and getting an assigned seat.

All candidates that are going to take the pest control certification test will have to follow the instructions that will be given to them by the exam administrators.

In general, the pest control certification test takes one hour and 45 minutes for the commercial applicator and the dealer license exams.

Whereas the dealer license exams take two hours and 30 minutes, and one hour for the catch basin permit test.

Thereupon, once the pest control certification test results are being corrected and entered into the data system, you will receive notification of your test results.

5. Repeating The Pest Control Certification Test

The candidates that will not succeed in passing the pest control certification test will have to repeat it, that is to say, re-take it as it is permitted under the regulations.

Hence, the re-take of the pest control certification test includes: registering, scheduling, paying and using the same online system in order to apply for the license or permit.

For example, if it happens that a candidate is unsuccessful at the pest control certification test two times in a row.

Then he/she will have to wait for three months before re-applying to take an exam.

On the other hand, if it happens that he/she fails the third time- then the candidate will have to wait for a year before re-applying again.

6. Pass The Pest Control Certification Test & Obtain A License

Now that you have passed the pest control certification test, you will have to take few additional steps in order to obtain your license.

Moreover, the first step on obtaining your license includes using the ePLACE Portal.

This portal will help you for submitting an application for the license or permit.

In addition, the application for pesticide license that you are going to submit will be valid for one year- starting from the date of the pest control certification test.

Hence, it is good to know that simply by passing the pest control certification test you are not equated to being licensed or permitted to using pesticides.

So, to get to the point, in order to receive your license you will have to log-in to your portal account and to apply for an MDAR Authorization.

In addition to that, you will be required to upload an electronic copy of your certificate of insurance.

Note that the insurance is essential.

And as such, it is required for both the Commercial Certification License credentials and the Application license core.

On the other hand, license credentials are not required for the private certification, dealer license or catch basin permit.

7. Maintain Your Pest Control Certification Test

The Pest Control Certification Test as any other certification should be maintained up to date.

In general, once you submit the application to obtain your license or permit, you will be required to wait around 2-3 days for the application form to be processed.

Moreover, if you are already connected to the online system, you will get your license or permit attached to your e-mail.

Hence, all of you out there who are waiting to get your pest control certification should know one thing.

Once you obtain this pest control license, you will have to carry it with you as a credential document at all times while using pesticides.

So, when I say that you will have to maintain your pest control license, I refer to respecting the valid period for it.

The valid perid starts from the actual date of insurance and ending on December 31st of the year issues.

The pest control certification can be as well modified, revoked, or suspended.

On the other hand, the pest control dealer license expires every February 28 or 29th.

Nonetheless, for the ones who will want to renew their license or certification on a yearly basis- it is good to note that they might be required to go under re-training.

On the flip side, at the end of each three-year period, you will be re-trained or recertified.

You can perform that through re-examination or by participation in approved continuing education programs or workshops.

Speaking of which, there are various trade groups and professional organization such as the Cooperative Extension Service.

Also, we have the UMASS Pesticide Education Program, that are providing training on an annual basis.

Here is what type of programs do these various trade groups and professional organizations can provide you with:

Continuing Education (PACE) Approved Programs

Here we have the Continuing Education PACE Approved Programs.

Via this programs you will be required to obtain a required number of continuing education contact hours.

It is eesential if you want to maintain your certification or license.

Do not be surprised if you receive a requirement to retake the whole examination in order to maintain your license.

Once you undergo the classes and the testing, you will have to to retain all certificates as a clear proof of your continuing education.

Your compliance level will be checked by the Department, at the end of their three-year recertification cycle.

This is due to the fact that each person that has a pest control certification should comply with the continuing education requirements.

Conclusion

To enumerate, the pest control certification test can bring you one step closer to your long wanted career. Now you know how to enter in the pest control industry. At first it might seem that undergoing the pest control certification test is quite complex. But in reality we can see that it is not as difficult.

Thereupon, after you undergo the pest control certification test, you will receive your passing score. And further instructions on how to apply for your license or certification will be sent to you.