Pesticide Applicator Licensing & Certification Requirements
West Virginia Department of Agriculture are as follows:
The West Virginia Pesticide Control Act of 1990 was
created to regulate and control pesticides in the public
interest by their registration, use and application.
Under this law, persons applying restricted-use
pesticides and businesses applying restricted or
general use pesticides must be certified and licensed.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA) requires pesticides to be classified as
either general or restricted use. FIFRA also requires
that anyone applying restricted use pesticides be
certified as a pesticide applicator by their state
pesticide agency.
∙ Restricted use pesticide refers to any pesticide
classified for restricted use by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency or any
pesticide declared to be state restricted by the
Commissioner of Agriculture.
∙ General use pesticide refers to any pesticide
not classified for restricted use.
The classification of a pesticide depends mainly upon
the toxicity and potential hazard of the pesticide to
humans, animals and the environment. Restricted use
pesticides are for sale to and use by certified
applicators or registered technicians who are under
the direct supervision of certified applicators.
Certification & Licensing
Certification of a pesticide applicator means the
applicator has met the standards of competency on
the handling and use of pesticides as determined by
the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA).
Competency is determined by the passing of a written
examination. Certification is valid for a period of three
years. During this time, applicators must attend
approved update training sessions.
Recertification refers to the completion of update
training required over a three-year period.
A license is not the same thing as certification. A
pesticide license is a permit that allows a pesticide
applicator to purchase and use restricted-use
pesticides. Every type of license does not expire at
the same time. A commercial applicator’s license, for
example, must be renewed annually, while a private
applicator’s license is valid for three years.
All certified pesticide applicators must show a
practical knowledge of pest control practices. They
must be able to recognize common pests and the
damage they cause, read and understand the label
on a pesticide container, and have basic knowledge
of pesticide safety precautions and disposal
procedures.
Types of Applicator Certification
∙ A private applicator is a certified applicator
who uses restricted use pesticides for the
purpose of producing an agricultural commodity
on his own property. Examples of private
applicators include farmers, nurserymen, and
sod producers.
∙ A commercial applicator is a certified
applicator who uses or supervises the use of
restricted or general use pesticides for a
licensed or regulated pesticide application
business. Examples of commercial applicators
include pest control operators, lawn care
applicators, and golf course superintendents.
∙ A certified public applicator is a certified
applicator who uses or supervises the use of
restricted or general use pesticides as a part of
their work for a state agency, municipal
corporation or other government agency.
∙ A registered technician is an employee of a
pesticide application business who has not
completed all of the requirements for a
commercial applicator’s license, and is limited
to applying general use pesticides. A registered
technician may, however, apply restricted use
pesticides under the direct supervision of a
certified applicator.
Within 30 days of hire, any employee who is not a
certified applicator but who will be applying
pesticides must complete a “Registered
Technician Training Program” approved by
WVDA.
Renewal Deadline:
Private Applicators – every 3 years by December 31st.
Commercial & Certified Public Applicators – every 3 years by December 31st.
Registered Technicians – annually by December 31st.
CE Requirements:
Private applicators – 10 credits (5 hours)
Commercial & Certified Public Applicators – 20 credits (10 hours)
Registered Technicians – 4 credits (2 hours)
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