Indiana Commercial Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Continuing Certification Program
The CCH system is a program of continuing certification designed to encourage certified applicators to stay abreast of changes pertinent to their work - and to increase professional competency - while earning the privilege of automatic renewal following the five-year certification period. By utilizing this system, applicators maintain a continuous learning pattern whereby their knowledge is expanded.
Continuing certification credit is acquired by attending various approved conferences, workshops, and other educational programs which address pesticide and fertilizer topics.
Did You Know? Programs being submitted for approval must meet specific criteria.
Categories, Required CCHs and Descriptions:
The number of CCH points needed, in each category, in order to automatically renew a certification is listed below. A certified applicator may obtain no more than half the number of required CCH's at any single program.
- Category 1 - Agricultural Pest Management
Required CCHs: 20
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides on non-crop agricultural lands such as pastures or in the production of agricultural crops, including, but not limited to: Grains, Soybeans and oil seed, Forage, Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts
- Category 2 - Forest Pest Management
Required CCHs: 10
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides in forest or forest nurseries.
- Category 3a - Ornamental Pest Management
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides on ornamental plants and related areas such as: Driveways, Sidewalks, Residential parking areas, Landscape beds, Fence lines.
- Category 3b - Turf Management -- or -- Category 3b - Turf Management - Golf Courses
Required CCHs: 20
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides or fertilizers on turf. This category does not include the use of pesticides for the purpose of managing pests to prevent infestation of a structure.
- Category 4 - Seed Treatment
Required CCHs: 10
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides on seed stocks for the purpose of managing pest organisms that are anticipated to attach the plant or germinating seed.
- Category 5 - Aquatic Pest Management
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides purposefully applied to: Standing or running water, Wetland, Related areas such as riprap.
- Category 6 - Industrial Weed Management
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides in the maintenance of public or private: Roads, Utility rights of way, Pipelines, Railway rights of way, Parking lots, Ditch banks, Riprap, Fence lines, Restoration areas, Substations, Other similar areas.
- Category 7a - Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Management
Required CCHs: 20
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides for management of pests other than termites in or around structures such as: Human dwellings, Offices, Retail establishments, Farm structures, Restaurants, Warehouses, Institutional establishments, Industrial facilities, Food processing facilities.
- Category 7b - Termite Control
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides for the management of termites and other wood destroying organisms. Certification in this category also qualifies individuals to inspect structures for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of evidence of termites or other wood destroying organisms.
- Category 7d - Fumigation
Required CCHs: 20
Description: Certification in this category is required for all individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides that in the gaseous state are designed to kill or repel pests.
- Category 8 - Community-Wide Mosquito Control
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes governmental employees or other individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides for community-wide mosquito abatement.
- Category 11 - Aerial Application
Required CCHs: 20
Description: Certification in this category is required for all individuals who apply pesticides by means of: Fixed wing aircraft, Rotary wing aircraft, Ultra-light aircraft, Lighter-than-air aircraft.
- Category 12 - Wood Destroying Pest Inspection
Required CCHs: 10
Description: Certification in this category limits individuals to the inspection of structures for the purpose of determining evidence of the presence or absence of termites or other wood destroying organisms. It does not permit these individuals to use or supervise the use of pesticides for hire. The certification requirements for this category shall be determined by the State Chemist.
- Category 13 - Limited Certification
Required CCHs: 10
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of a very limited number of specialized pesticides in or on a very limited number of types of sites and situations not adequately covered by other categories listed in this section. The requirements for these limited certifications shall be determined by the State Chemist, but for most sites and situations, certification in Category 13 requires that the Core exam be passed.
- Category 14 - Agricultural Fertilizer Application
Required CCHs: 3
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of fertilizer material (commercial fertilizer or manure from a CFO) for the purpose of producing an agricultural crop on the property of another for hire.
- Category RT - Registered Technician
Required CCHs: 8
Description: This individual must be supervised by a fully-certified applicator.