Issue 13, August 14, 2018
Applicators for Hire Must be Licensed
There is some confusion surrounding the issue of when a pesticide applicator license is required. Whether you need a license or not depends on two things: what you are going to apply and where you are going to apply it.
I have been asked in the past if there is a list of pesticides that require a license. Although lists of pesticides exist in one form or another online and in recommendation guides, there is no specific list of pesticides in which the application of such would require a person to be licensed. One exception could be for fumigants however; those all require certification. Another exception could be for RUP's (Restricted Use Pesticides). A license is required to apply any RUP.
Another related question I get is who needs to have a license and why don't homeowners need to be licensed? For those applying pesticides to their own land, the only time a license is required is for RUP's. For commercial applications (meaning that the land is not owned by the individual making the application), a license is required for ALL pesticides, even general use pesticides like Roundup. For example, you can spray Roundup license-free if you are treating your own property, but, if you apply Roundup as part of your employment, a license is then needed.
When applying pesticides commercially, each business will need at least one applicator. Persons working under the applicator's direct supervision to use pesticides must also be licensed -- even when applying general use pesticides. Confusion lies with the fact that homeowners can apply these GUP products without being licensed. Again, when you are applying these products on land you do not own, you are required to have a pesticide license. This of course is to demonstrate to the public that you are knowledgeable concerning the safe and proper use of pesticides.
Additionally, if a product makes pesticidal claims, it needs to be registered with the EPA and it will have a registration number on the label. Remember that pesticides include not only those that kill or suppress living organisms but also repellents, attractants, and those which affect growth such as growth regulators/hormones. Some have been fooled into thinking that a license is not required for a commercial application of say rooting compounds because nothing is being killed. These products are still chemicals and technically (legally) they are pesticides. For safety reasons, it is in our best interest that the use of these chemicals be regulated. (Michelle Wiesbrook)
Author:
Michelle Wiesbrook