The Bureau of Pesticide Management regulates the registration, application, use, distribution, and sale of pesticides, oversees the certification and supervision of pesticide applicators, promotes Integrated Pest Management, provides compliance assistance and public outreach activities, and enforces portions of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL).
DEC’s NYSPAD (New York State Pesticide Administration Database) can be used to search and download information regarding several pesticide topics, including:
- Pesticide Products and Labels
- Pesticide Applicators and Technicians
- Businesses and Agencies that Apply Pesticides
- Pesticide Certification Courses and Exams
- Dealers of Restricted Use Pesticides
Please click on the icon below to enter the NYSPAD search database.
Hot Topics:
Pesticide Applicator Certification and Recertification Exams Now Offered in Several Ways
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) now offers Pesticide Applicator Certification and Recertification Exams through multiple formats to better meet the needs of exam applicants. Offering several options to take an exam will make the pesticide applicator certification exam process more convenient and accessible for all applicants. Register for a pesticide certification exam.
Available Exam Options:
1. Online Testing
- Take pesticide applicator certification exams at home using your personal computer.
- Suitable for applicants who prefer flexibility and convenience without needing to travel.
- Internet connection and a quiet, private testing space are required.
- A secure, browser-based platform will be used, and your exam session will be monitored by a remote proctor through your computer’s camera and microphone.
2. Test Center Exams
- Computer-based exams offered at approved testing centers across New York State. Approved testing center locations can be viewed on the provided map.
- Exams will be supervised by a live, in-person proctor.
- Ideal for candidates who may not have access to reliable internet or home computer with a microphone and camera.
3. Paper Exams
- Paper exams will continue to be provided at the DEC regional offices on a limited basis.
Neonicotinoid Environmental Emergency Determination Form
Effective December 31, 2024, the Birds and Bees Protection Act in ECL 33-1301(13) prohibits the treatment of outdoor ornamental plants and turf with pesticide products containing clothianidin or dinotefuran. There are several exemptions to this prohibition which would allow the application of pesticide products containing clothianidin or dinotefuran. These exemptions include:
- Applications on agricultural commodities;
- Structural commercial applications within one foot of a building foundation perimeter to manage structural pests provided that the application is not conducted on any blooming plants;
- Applications by, or under the supervision of, a certified applicator for treatment against invasive species affecting woody plants; and
- Applications conducted in accordance with a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation written order to address an “environmental emergency” as defined in ECL 33-1301(13)(d).
If you believe clothianidin or dinotefuran would be effective in addressing an “environmental emergency,” and there is no other less harmful pesticide or pest management practice to effectively address the environmental emergency, please submit a completed Request for Determination of an Environmental Emergency Form (PDF, 247 KB)
Introductions to Neonicotinoids Insecticides Course Now Available through Cornell
Amendments to Article 33, of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), referred to as the “Birds and Bees Protection Act”, require commercial applicators using pesticides containing the active ingredients clothianidin or dinotefuran to take a NYSDEC approved Title 13 neonicotinoid course prior to using these pesticides for:
- Treatment against invasive species affecting woody plants; or
- An application that has been approved to address an environmental emergency pursuant to 1301.13(b)(1) of the ECL.
Applicators using these pesticides as described above, must take the course annually and maintain the course completion certificate for three years.
Additionally, beginning on December 31, 2026, commercial applicators using pesticides containing imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, or acetamiprid for the uses listed above will also need to abide by the course requirements of ECL Article 33, Title 13 (Birds and Bees Protection Act).
To find a NYSDEC-approved Title 13 neonicotinoid course, you can utilize the Bureau of Pesticides Management information portal, NYSPAD. When searching for this course in the database, make sure that Distance Learning is selected as “Yes”. The course offered is called Introductions to Neonicotinoid Insecticides - NYSDEC Approved Title 13 Course, course ID NY-25-435354. This course covers topics including, the benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides, the identification of non-target risks with these insecticides, and the identification of alternatives to neonicotinoids.
For questions regarding these amendments to the ECL, please contact the Bureau of Pesticides Management at: 518-402-8727 or [email protected].
New Neonicotinoid Legislation Passes in New York State
Article 33 of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) was amended in 2023 and early 2024 to prohibit the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticides on outdoor ornamental plants and turf beginning on December 31, 2024, for some products, followed by others on December 31, 2026. In addition, Article 37 of the ECL was amended to prohibit the sale, offer for sale or use, or distribution within the state any corn, soybean, or wheat seeds coated or treated with pesticides containing clothianidin, imidacloprid, or thiamethoxam on January 1, 2029. These amendments to the ECL have been referred to as the “Birds and Bees Protection Act”.
Beginning December 31, 2024, Article 33 (ECL 33-1301(13)) prohibits the treatment of outdoor ornamental plants and turf with pesticide products containing clothianidin or dinotefuran and beginning December 31, 2026, this prohibition is further expanded to include pesticide products containing imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, or acetamiprid.
There are several exemptions to this prohibition which would allow the application of pesticide products containing clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, or acetamiprid. These exemptions include:
- Applications on agricultural commodities;
- Structural commercial applications within one foot of a building foundation perimeter to manage structural pests provided that the application is not conducted on any blooming plants;
- Applications by, or under the supervision of, a certified applicator for treatment against invasive species affecting woody plants; and
- Applications conducted in accordance with a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) written order to address an environmental emergency.
Pesticide applicators conducting applications for the treatment of invasive species affecting woody plants or applications in accordance with a NYSDEC written order to address an environmental emergency must take an NYSDEC-approved neonicotinoid course annually and maintain a record of this course for three years.
NYSDEC is currently developing the written order process for environmental emergencies.
This amendment also requires NYSDEC, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Cornell to conduct a study to identify practicable and feasible alternatives to the use of neonicotinoids. The results of the study must be submitted to the governor on or before January 1, 2026, and posted on the NYSDEC’s website.
Read the full language of ECL 33-1301(13).
The amendment to ECL Article 37, “Substances Hazardous or Acutely Hazardous to Public Health, Safety or the Environment” Title 11 regulates neonicotinoid pesticide coated or treated seeds.
Beginning January 1, 2029, this amendment prohibits the sale, offer for sale or use, or distribution of any corn, soybean, or wheat seeds coated or treated with pesticides containing clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, or any other neonicotinoid as determined by NYSDEC regulation in New York State.
There is an exemption to this prohibition which allows farms to request a waiver from NYSDEC to use corn, soybean, or wheat seeds coated or treated with pesticides containing clothianidin, imidacloprid, or thiamethoxam.
This waiver process will be developed through NYSDEC regulation in consultation with NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, as required by the amendment. The amendment requires this waiver to be based upon a pest risk assessment, report, and the farm owner completing integrated pest management training.
The NYSDEC must annually report to the legislature the number of waivers granted.
Read the full language of ECL 37-1101.
In addition, section 71-3703(7) of the ECL was amended to provide penalties for violations of section 37-1101 of the ECL. This penalty provision imposes a maximum civil penalty of one thousand dollars for each day the violation continues and a maximum civil penalty of two thousand five hundred dollars for each day the second violation continues.
Read the full language of ECL 71-3703(7).
For questions regarding these amendments to the ECL, please contact the Bureau of Pesticides Management at: 518-402-8727 or [email protected].
Agricultural Production of Cannabis and Hemp in New York
The legal sale and use of cannabis has not been recognized on a federal level. Hence, there are no pesticide products registered in New York that specifically list cannabis as an application site. However, the Directions for Use of some pesticide labels are broad enough to be deemed allowable on cannabis.
While agricultural production of hemp is allowed on the federal level, there are relatively few products that list hemp as an allowed site.
DEC has prepared guidance, New York State Pesticide Regulations for Agricultural Production of Cannabis and Hemp (PDF), to help the public determine which products are allowed for use on cannabis and/or hemp in New York.
