PF - Pesticide Applicator

• Commercial Pesticide Applicator

  Initial certification must be accomplished by examination.

  Applicants must pass the General examination and a category or subcategory examination to become certified (Commercial Applicator Certification Categories). Fees are $45 per examination. The General examination is also $45, as are examination retakes. 
  
         Effective June 1, 2014, we will no longer accept cash at exam sites.  
  Credit Card Forms will be on site for your use or pay with check or money order.

  For the current pesticide commercial applicator examination schedule, go to the Pesticide Certification Exam Schedule. The first paragraph on the exam schedule lists where study manuals may be obtained from Kansas State University.

  Renewal of a current certification category may be accomplished by examination or training (Commercial Applicator Recertification Information). The examination for renewal is the same as above. For the current schedule of recertification training go to Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Programs and Training.

  Reciprocal agreements between states allow Kansas residents to reciprocate to selected other states and non-residents to reciprocate to Kansas. A Kansas resident cannot reciprocate to Kansas. If you are out of state and have a current certification in your home state and we have a reciprocal agreement with your state, then you won’t need to take the examination for the associated categories but you will have to pay the certification fee for each category.

  Check the information sheets listed below to see if you qualify for reciprocation of your certification. Call the Records Center at 785 296-5360785 296-5360 to request reciprocity.

  • Pesticide Reciprocity - Indiana
  • Pesticide Reciprocity - Minnesota
  • Pesticide Reciprocity - Missouri
  • Pesticide Reciprocity - Nebraska
  • Pesticide Reciprocity - Oklahoma
  • Pesticide Reciprocity - Texas

  The following list of commercial certified pesticide applicators is provided to facilitate identification of authorized purchasers of RUPs:

  • Commercial Certified Pesticide Applicators

  NOTE: Do not confuse your Commercial Applicator Certification with a Pesticide Business License. In some states, commercial certification is all that is needed to make commercial applications but that is not the case in Kansas. For you to use your commercial certification to perform pesticide application work for compensation, you need to do one of the following:

  • Work as an employee of a business that is properly licensed to perform pesticide application work in the categories of your certification; or
  • Obtain your own Pesticide Business License to perform pesticide application work.

  Worker Protection Standards (WPS) Proposed Regulations:  

  The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  It covers pesticides that are used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses.  The WPS requires you to take steps to reduce the risk of pesticide-related illness and injury if you (1) use such pesticides or (2) employ workers or pesticide handlers who are exposed to such pesticides. The Kansas Department of Agriculture inspects pesticide businesses, nurseries, greenhouses and farms to ensure compliance with WPS.
  
  
  EPA has proposed to revise the WPS regulations (40 CFR part 170).  Information on the proposed revisions can be found at: EPA Worker Protection.

  The WPS requirements are detailed in the EPA “How to Comply Manual” and include:

  Pesticide safety training

  Pesticide safety poster

  Access to labeling information

  Access to specific information on applications

  Decontamination supplies

  Emergency assistance
  

  Washington State University Extension has developed a helpful comparison of the existing rule and the proposed revisions.  WPS Rule Revision Matrix
  
  Communication between the commercial applicator business and the producer is also required.

  This information exchange is detailed in the WPS Commercial Applicator Responsibilities
  
  
  Please check EPA's Endangered Species web site often.

  
  

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• Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Categories

  Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Categories

  Category	Name	Description
  1A	Agricultural Plant	Grasslands, non-crop agricultural lands, production of agricultural crops (inc. vegetables, feed grains, soybeans and forage, small fruits, tree fruits, nuts, tobacco, peanuts & cotton).
  1B	Agricultural Animal	On animals including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, horses, goats, poultry and livestock. Places on or in which animals are confined (Includes veterinarians who apply pesticides for hire).
  1C	Wildlife Damage	Non-domesticated vertebrates in rangeland & agricultural areas.
  1D	Stump Treatment	Cut stumps of woody plants in pastures, rangeland or lands in conservation reserve.
  2	Forest	Forests, forest nurseries & forest seed-producing areas.
  3A	Ornamental	Maintenance and production of ornamental trees, shrubs & flowers not included in 3C.
  3B	Turf Pest	Maintenance and production of turf - lawns, golf courses, turf farms.
  3C	Interior Landscape	Production & maintenance of houseplants and other Indoor ornamental plants kept or located within structures occupied by humans - houses, apartments, offices, shopping malls, other places of business and other dwelling places.
  4	Seed Treatment	Seeds
  5	Aquatic Pest	Applied to standing or running water (excludes applicators engaged in public health).
  5S	Sewer Root Control	Sewer line root control (Metam sodium and other products).
  6	Right-of-way	Maintenance of public roads, electric power lines, pipelines, railway rights-of-way or similar. Also includes applications listed in 7C.
  7A	Wood-destroying	Wood-destroyers - termites, powder post beetles, wood borers, wood rot fungus.
  7B	Stored Products	Pests in stored grain & food products (stored product insects, cockroaches, rodents & birds), includes fumigation.
  7C	Industrial Weed	Weed control around buildings & structures, also parking lots & sidewalks.
  7D	Health-related	Management and control of pests with medical or health significance (mosquitoes, flies, fleas, lice, bedbugs, ticks, mites, ants, stinging insects, spiders, cockroaches, rodents, skunks, birds, bats).
  7E	Structural Pest	Pests in structures (rodents, birds, cockroaches, spiders, wasps, bees, flies, ants, fleas, ticks, bed bugs, invaders, skunks, squirrels, bats).
  7F	Wood Preservation & Wood Products	Poles, posts, cross-ties and wood products from damage by insects, fungi, marine organisms, weather deterioration or other wood-destroying agents.
  8	Public Health	Government employees only in public health programs for the management and control of pests having medical and public health significance.
  9A	Noxious Weeds	Government employees only, for control of weeds regulated under the noxious weed law.
  9B	Regulated Pest	Government employees, for the control of federal or state regulated pests, other than noxious weeds.
  10	Demonstration & Research	Individuals who demonstrate to the public the proper techniques for application and use, or conduct field research which involves the use of pesticides or lab personnel engaged in pesticide research under certain environmental conditions.

• Private Pesticide Applicator

  For the Kansas law associated with this area of our program, go to the Kansas Pesticide Law and left mouse-click on the file. If you prefer to download the file, right mouse-click on the file.

  A private pesticide applicator certification may only be used to apply or supervise the application of a restricted use pesticide product according to label directions for the purpose of:

  • Producing an agricultural commodity
    • On property owned or rented by the private certified applicator or such person's employer; or
    • If applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on property owned or rented by another producer of an agricultural commodity.

  The following list of private certified applicators is provided to facilitate identification of authorized purchasers of RUPs:

  • Private Certified Pesticide Applicators 

  Private certification may be obtained by passing an open book examination at a county extension office. Contact the county extension office in advance to ensure the office will be open and allow 2-3 hours to complete the examination. The county extension office will collect the $25 fee and mail the completed examination to KDA for grading and issuing the certification card. Private applicator certification expires on the individual’s birthday in the 5^th calendar year after it is issued.

  Private Pesticide Applicator Manual

  The private applicator study manual (Publication MF-531) is available Kansas State University by calling (785) 532-5830 or by ordering at the KSU Research and Extension Bookstore.  Some county extension offices may also have manuals available.

  Renewal applications are mailed to the applicator’s home address. Please inform KDA of any address changes to make sure you receive your renewal material.

  Please check EPA's Endangered Species web site often.

• Registered Technician

  Every pesticide business that applies pesticides for the control of wood-destroying (7A), structural (7E), ornamental (3A), turf (3B), or interior landscape (3C) pests and also employs uncertified applicators is required by the Kansas Pesticide Law to have a registered technician training program.

  NOTE: Businesses in the above categories who hire only certified applicators and do not plan to hire uncertified applicators must state this on the Training Program Checklist or in a letter to KDA.

  All uncertified applicators must be trained within 90 days after they are employed. All training programs must consist of a minimum of 10 hours of classroom training and 30 hours of on-the-job training. If you hire someone to be trained as a registered technician, you must notify the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) within 30 days of their employment using the Pesticide Report of Change Form. Uncertified applicators may only apply pesticides when a certified applicator or registered technician is physically present.

  New Businesses must submit a training program with their Kansas pesticide business license application. Businesses will have 90 days to ensure that their uncertified applicators become certified or are trained as registered technicians.

  Renewing businesses must indicate any changes in their training programs for uncertified applicators on their business license renewal form.

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  REGISTERED TECHNICIAN PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  STEP 1: Select one of the three options listed below for classroom training of your uncertified applicators:

  Option 1: Purchase a program from the following sources:

  Categories 3a & 3b (For Sale)
  Mid-America Green Industry Council
  P.O. Box 419264 (formerly PLCAMA)
  Kansas City, MO 64141-6264
  (816)561-5323

  Categories 3a, 3b & 7a, 7e
  CTN Educational Services
  P.O. Box 90233
  Austin, TX 78709
  (512)288-8288
  www.ctnedu.com
  Video training program for sale

  Categories 7a & 7e (Member benefit)
  Kansas Pest Control Association
  3601 SW 29th, #107
  Topeka, KS 66614-2015
  (785) 271-9220

  Option 2: Send employees to an approved training session

  Only for 3A & 3B- contact Mid-America Green Industry Council (816 561-5323)

  Option 2: Develop your own training program

  Devleop a detailed outline of your training program, indicating the time spent on each topic and the references you will be using for each topic. The references may be books, publications, slides, videos or compurter based porgams that you wish to use in training. The required topics are listed on the next pages and an outline format is available from KDA.

  KSU Certification Manuals (Complete the Initial Program Checlist)

  You may develop a program based on the certification manuals if you completely cover the appropriate manuals (General and Category) and review labels & equipment that you will be using for a minimum total of 10 hours of classroom training and 30 hours of on-the-job training. All programs must include the current KDA State Of Service handout.
  Registered Technician Category 3 Law Requirements
  Registered Technician Category 7 Law Requirements
  Programs in 7A must also state that they will include termite definitions in K.A.R. 4-13-1 and termite control applications procedures in K.A.R. 4-13-7 & 4-13-26.

  STEP 2: Complete the Training Program Checklist or send a letter to KDA stating which program you will be using or include your training outline. KDA will review your program and inform you if any changes are needed in your program.

  STEP 3: Train your uncertified applicators and keep detailed records of all their training using the Registered Technician Training Record as a guide. Records must be kept for three years and contain thefollowing:

  • • Typed or printed name of trainee
    • Subject matter covered and type of training, classroom or on-the-job
    • Date and duration of each training session in hours
    • Signature of the trainee and signature of authorized officer or representative of the pesticide business licensee who administered the training.

  STEP 4: Send a completed Pesticide Registered Technician Application (KPL-700) and fees to KDA. Fees are $25 per technician if you have paid the $15 uncertified applicator fee. Otherwise the fee is $40.

  STEP 5: KDA will send you identification cards which must be in the possession of the registered technician during all applications. All pesticides, both general use and restricted use, may only be applied under the supervision of a certified applicator. The certified applicator must provide instructions on the handling and application of pesticide being used and be available by telephone, radio or comparable means when the pesticide is being applied. The registered technician must work from the same business address as the supervising certified applicator.

  STEP 6: Renew your technician registrations every year as they expire December 31st of each calendar year. KDA will send you renewal forms each year but the business is responsible for ensuring that each technician receives 6 hours of training every year before renewal.

  Every uncertified applicator you hire must go through your initial training program even if they have been previously trained as a registered technician at another pesticide business. When a registered technician leaves your employ, their registration becomes void and they are considered an uncertified applicator.

• Home Inspections For Wood Destroying Organisms

  As of July 1, 2007, Kansas Law requires any person "performing inspections for evidence of wood destroying insects, at the request of a buyer, seller, real estate broker, real estate salesperson, relocation company or financial institution, in connection with a real estate transaction or loan secured by an interest in real estate shall hold, at the time of inspection, a valid certification, issued pursuant to the Kansas pesticide law, which authorizes the person to use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides in the control of wood destroying insects."

  Home inspectors have to be certified commercial pesticide applicators in category 7A but home inspection businesses do not need a pesticide business license. However, if treatment is offered at the time of the inspection or during the communication of the inspection results or any other pesticide business activity is performed at the time of the inspection, then a pesticide business license is also needed.

  You may check Commercial Certified Pesticide Applicators to see if your home inspector is on our our list (be sure category 7A is with the name).

  If you believe a home inspection was performed by someone without the proper commercial pesticide applicator certification, please notify the Kansas Attorney General's Consumer Protections Division.