When using pesticides, there are specific regulations and use guidelines that must be followed to ensure success and safety. This fact sheet addresses general use regulations and details the necessary certification process.
Pesticide Use Regulations
When using pesticides, the label is the law. Make sure you read it! More information about pesticide use regulations, including the Pesticide Applicator Certification, is available online here.
Note that these pesticide regulations are for farmers applying pesticides to rented or owned property. Different regulations may apply for employee, intern, or volunteer application of pesticides. For more information, see the EPA’s How to Comply with the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides
Becoming a Certified Pesticide Applicator
If you are using “restricted use” pesticides to protect crops and animals from pests on property you own or rent, you are considered a “private” applicator and must become certified by the DEC and show your pesticide license when purchasing these products. “General use” pesticides are considered to be safer, and in general use do not require applicator certification for purchase and use.
To be eligible for certification, you must have one season’s experience working with the crops, livestock or stored products on which you will use pesticides, and you must be at least 17 years of age.
To become certified, you must take an exam.
Cornell Cooperative Extension ‘s Pesticide Safety Education Program works to provide pesticide certification and training as well as act as a source of information for applicators, researchers, and the general public. This group has developed a Pesticide Applicator Certification Training Manual to help provide consolidated information in advance of the applicator exam. The manual may be purchased online.
Cooperative Extension also offers pesticide applicator training programs or you may study on your own and make an appointment with the Department of Environmental Conservation to take the exam.
For questions about the certification process and exams, call the Department of Environmental Conservation office in your region. More information can also be found on the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation website. Upon passing the exam, your certification is valid for five years.
There is a fee for the exam and for certification.
Recertification
During the five years that you are certified, you must obtain continuing education credits toward recertification. Credits can be obtained by attending meetings where pest management topics are discussed and credits offered. Check the course calendar for more information.
Credits must be earned in more than one calendar year and consist of at least 25% category-specific training in each category of certification.
You are obligated to keep records of the credits you receive and turn in record sheets to the Department of Environmental Conservation when they notify you that your license is about to expire. If you do not have the required credits, you will have to take the exam again.
Resources:
Cornell Crop and Pest Management Guidelines are available through the Cornell Cooperative Extension Pesticide Safety Education program for various crops and managing pests within the home.
Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Pesticide Sales and Use Reporting Program is responsible for the processing, management, and manipulation of all pesticide data beginning with the receipt of the electronic files from the data entry vendor and the pesticide businesses, and ending with the publication and reporting of the data to this website and the DEC. Farmers can access these publications at the program’s website.
