Who are private pesticide applicators?

A private pesticide applicator is any person, or their employee, who applies a restricted use pesticide in the production of an agricultural commodity on land owned or operated by the applicator or applicator's employer. In addition, individuals applying a restricted use pesticide as an incidental part of a custom farming operation are considered private pesticide applicators. However, any custom farming operation that is limited to the application of pesticides must be carried out by a commercial pesticide applicator.

Can a farmer who is a resident of another state and certified as a private applicator in that state purchase and apply restricted use pesticides in Iowa?

Yes and no. A farmer who resides in another state and is certified as a private applicator in that state can purchase restricted use pesticides in Iowa. For all the surrounding states except Minnesota, individuals are required to obtain an Iowa private pesticide applicator certification before applying restricted use pesticides in Iowa. Individuals certified as private pesticide applicators in Minnesota may apply restricted use pesticides in Iowa.

What requirements must a farmer meet to purchase and apply fumigants in Iowa?

The farmer must be certified as a private pesticide applicator and pass a Category 7C-Fumigation exam. The individual~s certification card will show that both examinations were passed.

My children help me apply pesticides. Can children under the age of 18 handle and apply restricted use pesticides under my supervision, assuming I am a certified private pesticide applicator?

There is no minimum age requirement to become a certified pesticide applicator. Your children have to be certified as private pesticide applicators to apply restricted use pesticides. No certification is required if they are only applying general use pesticides.

I am certified as a private pesticide applicator. Can my spouse pick up restricted use pesticide for me considering that she/he is not certified?

Yes, provided the pesticide dealer keeps the following records to document that the restricted use pesticide will be used by the certified applicator:

a. Name and address of the uncertified person.

b. Name and address of the certified applicator who will apply the restricted use pesticide.

c. Certification number of the certified applicator, expiration date of the card and categories in which the applicator is certified, if appropriate.

d. The quantity of restricted use pesticide made available in the transaction.

e. Date of transaction.

f. The product name and the EPA registration number.

I am certified as a private pesticide applicator, but share expenses with my landlord who is not certified. I will be taking delivery of and applying all of the restricted use pesticides in this operation. Does my landlord need to be certified?

No, provided the firm who is sending out the billing has noted on your record that this is a landlord/tenant relationship and lists the identity of the landlord. This billing to the landlord also should be cross-referenced to the certified applicator in the same manner.

A certified commercial pesticide applicator will be applying restricted use pesticide to my property. Do I need to be certified?

No. If the custom applicator is purchasing, taking delivery, and applying the restricted use pesticides, there is no need for the customer to be certified.

I recently passed the private pesticide applicator exam. How soon may I purchase restricted use pesticides?

Upon successfully completing the private certification exam and paying the required $15 certification fee, private certification credentials will be issued at the test site. This form is the only certification credential issued that contains the private applicators certification number among other things. Once credentials are issued, private applicators may purchase restricted use pesticides. (Private certification cards will no longer be issued.)

Who are commercial pesticide applicators?

Individuals who apply general or restricted use pesticide on property of another person for compensation are required to be certified as commercial pesticide applicators.

Who are public pesticide applicators?

Individuals who apply general use or restricted use pesticides as an employee of a state, county, municipal corporation, or other governmental agency are required to be certified as a public pesticide applicator.

Are there any exemptions for individuals who are required to be certified as public applicators?

Yes. An employee of a public agency who applies pesticides classified for general use and which are in ready-to-use formulations are exempt from the certification requirements provided that the application of pesticides is an incidental part of the person's duties.

Who are noncommercial pesticide applicators?

They are individuals who apply restricted use pesticides on lands or property owned, rented, leased or controlled by the applicator or applicator~s employer. The restricted use pesticides are not applied during the production of an agricultural commodity so this definition does not include private pesticide applicators. A person who applies general use pesticides on their own property or their employer~s property is not required to be certified. Employees of private golf courses are not given the option of being a noncommercial pesticide applicator. They must be certified as commercial pesticide applicators whether they apply general or restricted use pesticides. This certification is required because of the large number of people who will be exposed to the treated area.

I maintain the turfgrass areas for a large medical center complex. I only apply general use pesticides. Do I need to be certified as a commercial or a noncommercial pesticide applicator?

Neither. Since you only apply general use pesticides on your employer~s property you do not need to be certified. If you applied a restricted use pesticide, you would need to be certified as a noncommercial pesticide applicator.

How many days does a new employee have to pass the required certification exams?

Any commercial, noncommercial, public, or private applicator may work for 21 days from the date of initial employment if the applicator is under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Direct supervision means that the pesticide application is made by a competent person acting under the instruction and control of a certified applicator who is physically present by being in sight or hearing distance of the supervised person. However, if the new employee is applying pesticides to agricultural land and that new employee is certified as a private pesticide applicator, then the supervising certified applicator is not required to be physically present, but must be immediately available if and when necessary.

Who are handlers?

Handlers are individuals who handle unopened pesticide containers, repackage bulk pesticides, or dispose of pesticide-related waste. Handlers are supervised by a certified commercial applicator, noncommercial applicator, public applicator, or pesticide dealer.

Can a commercial pesticide applicator certified in Missouri apply pesticides in Iowa?

Iowa has reciprocal agreements with Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Upon receipt of a request for reciprocal certification from an applicator from one of these states, IDALS reviews the applicator~s credentials. Upon verification that all conditions have been satisfied, certification fees paid, and license requirement have been met, Iowa certification credentials are issued.

How many hours of Continuing Education Credits (CECs) must be completed for submission each year and in what subject area must an applicator receive CECs?

Starting in 1993, all commercial pesticide applicators and handlers must submit six hours of continuing education credits each year. Applicators receive continuing education credits for general programs, e.g. pesticide safety and regulation review, and for programs approved for the categories in which they are certified. Handlers may receive continuing education credits for programs that discuss safety, mixing and handling regulations, groundwater protection, and other approved topics.

Does an applicator have to obtain CECs in each category he/she is certified?

No, the applicator may obtain CECs from any category in which he/she is certified.

Can an applicator obtain all of the CECs by attending general programs that cover topics such as laws and safety?

Yes. However, IDALS would prefer that an applicator get at least two hours of credit in one of the categories in which they are certified.

What is the deadline to obtain CECs and can extra ones be carried over?

The minimum hours must be obtained each year between January 1 and December 31, unless carried over from a previous year. A certified applicator and handler may accumulate more than the minimum hours of credit required in one year and submit these credits during the next three-year period to meet their continuing education requirement (rule began in 1990).

Do new employees have to obtain CECs?

No, not in the first year they are certified as a pesticide applicator. But, applicators have to obtain CECs in the year that they retest to maintain their certification.

Are private pesticide applicators required to obtain CECs?

No. Private pesticide applicators are not required to obtain CECs even if they are certified in grain fumigation.

Can a company conduct in-house continuing education credit programs for their commercial pesticide applicators?

Yes. However, the continuing education credit program agenda must be submitted for approval to IDALS two weeks before the program is scheduled. The program agenda must specify the program topics, speakers, and time allocated to each topic.

Continuing education training shall relate to the type of pesticide applied by the employee and shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following: groundwater/surface water protection; emergency planning and response; calibration; environmental protection from hazards associated with pesticide use; personal safety and public safety related to pesticide use; endangered species protection; worker protection; food safety; proper pesticide waste disposal; proper disposal of pesticide containers; pest recognition, biology, and habits; integrated pest management; reading and interpretation of labeling; alternative nonchemical controls; poisoning prevention, symptoms, and first aid; applicable laws and regulations.

For more information, contact Ella West, Pesticide Division, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319; 515-281- 4339.