Certification of commercial applicators is generally a two-step process. Applicators seeking certification will take a Core examination that addresses the fundamentals of pesticide use and a category exam that relates directly to their field of professional interest. Once the required exams are passed, certification is good for five (5) years.
Category 1: Agricultural Pest Management
Category 2: Forest Pest Management
Category 3a: Ornamental Pest Management
Category 3b: Turf Management (including fertilizer application onto customer’s lawns)
Category 4: Seed Treatment
Category 5: Aquatic Pest Management
Category 6: Industrial Weed Management
Category 7a: Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Management
Category 7b: Termite Control
Category 7d: Fumigation
Category 8: Community-Wide Mosquito Management
Category 11: Aerial Application
Category 12: Wood-Destroying Pest Inspection
Category 13: Limited Certification (e.g., animal repellents, mold control, sanitizers and disinfectants, water treatment biocides)
Category 13WP: Wood Preservation
Category 13SLRC: Sewer Line Root Control
Category 14: Agricultural Fertilizer Application
There is an exception to the two-step (Core and category) certification process for certain commercial applicators. Certification in Categories 12 and 14 requires the applicant to pass the specific category exam, the Core examination is not required. (Certification in Category 13 requires a Core examination only.)
Certification as a commercial, for-hire termite control operator (Category 7b) requires Core and category examinations, plus documentation of work-related experience. 7b applicators meet their work experience by attending a multi-day, hands-on workshop sponsored by Purdue Pesticide Programs. Contact Purdue Pesticide Programs at 765-494-4566 for more information about termite control workshops. Applicants may also download a termite control workshop registration application form.
Not all pesticide applicators in commercial settings need to be certified. Non-certified applicators may become registered technicians. Registered technicians can perform applications of General Use Pesticides (GUP) for which their supervisor is certified, and the supervisor need not be physically present.
For more information on how to become a Registered Technician go to : Registered Technician Training