Individuals may become certified as: Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicators, Certified Commercial Pesticide Technicians and/or Certified Private Pesticide Applicators. The type of applications that a person may perform is dependent on the applicator's certification and categories held.
When Certification is Required
Certification is required:
- to apply any pesticide commercially. A pesticide application is considered commercial if it does not fall under the definition of residential or private application of pesticides. The residential application of pesticides is the use of general use pesticides on property owned or leased by the applicator, excluding any establishments selling or processing food and any residential structure other than the unit in which the applicator lives in.
- to make a private application of restricted use pesticides. A pesticide application is considered a private application of pesticides when the pesticide is being used for the purpose of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or leased by the applicator or the applicator's employer. Certification is not required to make a private application of general use pesticides.
- to sell restricted use pesticides.
For more information, see the Pesticide Statutes, Regulations, and Policies page.
Levels of Certification and Certification Categories
- Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator (Commercial Applicator) – a person who is certified to use or supervise the use of general use and restricted use pesticides for a commercial application or to sell restricted use pesticides.
- Certified Commercial Pesticide Technician (Commercial Technician) – a person who is certified to use general use pesticides for commercial applications without supervision or to use restricted use pesticides when working under the direct supervision of a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator.
- Commercial Pesticide Apprentice (Commercial Apprentice) – an uncertified individual who may apply pesticides commercially after completing required training. Must work under the direct supervision of a Commercial Applicator.
- Certified Private Pesticide Applicator (Private Applicator) – a person who is certified to use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides, including chemigation, when producing agricultural commodities on property owned or leased by the applicator or the applicator's employer.
The Certification Category Chart includes brief descriptions of each category as well as the recertification credit requirements for each. Browse - Unofficial New York Codes, Rules and Regulations of NYCRR Part 325.16 and Part 325.17 where the categories are described in detail.
How to Become Certified
All applicants for certification must pass the core and appropriate category examination(s) to become certified. The only exemption from this requirement is for those individuals who are certified in and reside in, a state with which New York State has a reciprocal agreement. See the Reciprocal Pesticide Certification page for more information.
Before an individual can register to take an exam, they must first meet eligibility and training requirements. To learn more about the process to become certified, click the button below for the type of certification you are looking for.
