Certification Process:
Commercial Pesticide and Fertilizer - Applicators
Once certified, a commercial pesticide applicator must become licensed in order to legally purchase, use, or supervise the use of pesticides. Licensing refers to the issuance of a license credential by the Office of Indiana State Chemist. Although category certification is valid for five years, licenses expire and must be renewed on an annual basis.
Certification Requirements:
Categories (1, 2, 3a, 4, 5, 6, 7a, 7d and 8):
- Pass a written Core exam covering pesticide laws, general pest biology, pesticide formulations, personal and environmental safety and label comprehension.
- Pass a Category exam covering information on pest identification and biology, pesticide chemistry, pesticide application techniques, equipment and calibration, and environmental concerns.
- Three exam attempts are allowed in a twelve-month period.
- Once the Core and Category exams are passed, certification is valid for five years, expiring on December 31 of the fourth year following the year of qualification.
- Certification may be renewed for another five years by; (1) repeating the examination process or (2) accumulating continuing certification hours (CCHs) by attending approved recertification training programs.
Categories (7b or 12):
In addition to the requirements above, initial certification as a for-hire commercial applicator in Category 7b or Category 12 shall require completion of a practical hands-on training program reviewed and approved by the State Chemist.
Category 13 – Limited Certification:
Unlike most other certification and licensing categories, certification as a commercial pesticide applicator in Category 13 is a one-step process. Individuals seeking certification must pass a written Core exam covering pesticide laws, general pest biology, pesticide formulations, personal and environmental safety and label comprehension. A category exam is not applicable to this certification type.
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