Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Pesticide Applicator Certification
Who Must Apply
Any individual who plans to use pesticides commercially or to use restricted use* pesticides for farming. The Virginia Pesticide Control Act provides for four classes of certified applicators: commercial applicators, commercial applicators not-for-hire, registered technicians and private applicators. Generally, private applicators are persons certified to apply restricted-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities. Commercial applicators are persons certified to apply any pesticides for any purpose or on any property other than as provided in the definition of a private applicator in the Virginia Pesticide Control Act. Registered technicians are persons certified to apply general use pesticides unsupervised and restricted-use pesticides under the supervision of a certified commercial applicator.
(* Restricted use pesticides are those listed as such by the EPA. Contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a given pesticide's classification.)
Authority
Virginia Pesticide Control Act
Virginia Code �� 3.1-249.27 through 3.1-249.78
Virginia Administrative Code 2 VAC 20-51-10 et seq.
Term
Commercial applicators and registered technicians must obtain new certificates biannually, and all certificates in these two classes expire on June 30 of every other year. These applicators must apply for new certificates and pay the application fee prior to June 30 in the second year of their certification.
Private applicators must obtain new certificates every two years, and all private applicator certificates expire on December 31 in the second year following certification.
Fees
- Commercial applicator -- $70/2 years
- Registered technician -- $30/2 years
- Private applicator -- no fee
Typical Requirements of Certification
Maintain records of restricted pesticides used, quantities applied, pests targeted and locations receiving application. Name, address and telephone number of customer and address or location name, and certification number or person making application, date applied, name of product, EPA registration number of product and type of application equipment used.
Application Process
- Contact the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Pesticide Services.
- Successfully complete training approved by the Pesticide Control Board.
- Submit application fee (if required).
- Pass the examination(s) administered by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Aerial applicators must meet additional requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration and State Department of Aviation.
- For renewal of certification, complete an approved recertification course and apply for recertification prior to the date on which certification expires.