How to Become a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician

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To apply pesticides commercially, individuals need to be one of the following:

  • Commercial Pesticide Apprentice (Commercial Apprentice): uncertified, must complete required training and work under the direct supervision of a certified commercial applicator.
  • Certified Commercial Pesticide Technician (Commercial Technician): limited/lower level of certification. Cannot apply restricted use pesticides without supervision by a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator.
  • Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator (Commercial Applicator): fully certified, can use or supervise the use of general use and restricted use pesticides, or sell restricted use pesticides. 

 What each type is allowed to do:

Allowed Activity

Commercial Pesticide Apprentice

Commercial  Technician

 Commercial Applicator

Can apply general use/unrestricted products without supervision

 

X

X

Can apply restricted use products (RUP) without supervision

 

 

X

Can provide on-site and off-site supervision

 

 

X

Can hold certification in multiple categories

 

 

X

Can open a business in categories 2, 3, 4, 5d, 6, 8 or 9

 

X

X

Can open a business in any commercial category

 

 

X

Commercial Apprentice Training and Requirements

A Commercial Apprentice must be at least 16 years old.

Commercial Apprentices must be under the supervision of a Commercial Applicator to use any pesticides. Supervision can only be provided by a Commercial Applicator to Apprentices that are employed by the same business (contractors are not employees). For more information about Commercial Apprentice supervision, please see 6 NYCRR Part 325.7.

Commercial Apprentices are uncertified, but must still receive the following training before making applications under the off-site supervision of a Certified Commercial Applicator:

  • 8 hours of instruction on the topics under Part 325.18
  • 40 hours of pesticide use experience under the supervision of a Commercial Applicator. Commercial Applicators can only provide training within their certification category/categories.
  • Training must be documented. Please see 6 NYCRR Part 325.10(c) for more information.

Steps to Become Certified

1. Meet Eligibility Requirements

Expand the section below that corresponds to the level of certification you are looking for:

All individuals pursuing certification for the first time or after 2 years of expiration must pass both the core exam and one category exam. To be eligible to take the certification exams applicants must be at least 17 years old and satisfy one of the following requirements:

  1. Successfully complete a DEC-approved 30-hour training course in the intended category of certification within the last 5 years before applying to take the exams.
  2. Possess an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university which covered the topics listed in Section 325.18, and related categories in Sections 325.16 or 325.17.
  3. Have 2 years of verifiable experience, within the last 5 years, in the intended category of certification working as an apprentice under the supervision of a DEC Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator.

Upcoming courses for eligibility can be found using the NYSPAD information portal. To find DEC-approved 30-hour eligibility courses in the portal, choose your intended category, select course type “eligibility”. You can narrow the search by region or county. To see online course options, choose “Yes” for Distance Learning.

To become a fully certified Commercial Applicator through exam, without starting as a certified Commercial Technician, the applicant must satisfy one of the following requirements:

  1. Completed 3 years of verifiable full-time experience as a Commercial Apprentice working in the category or categories in which the individual is seeking certification.
  2. Completed 3 years of verifiable experience as a Certified Private Pesticide Applicator in a corresponding category.
  3. If seeking Commercial Applicator certification in the Sales category, completed 3 years of experience in the sale of pesticides or industrial chemicals. Alternatively, an individual may qualify if the applicant can demonstrate through applicable training certificates or educational degrees, that the individual possesses appropriate technical background, as determined by the department.

NOTE: All the above experience or training must have been earned within the last five years to meet the eligibility requirements.

Commercial Technicians are eligible to petition their regional DEC office for an upgrade to Commercial Applicator if they satisfy one of the following requirements:

  1. Completed 1 year of verifiable experience as a Commercial Technician and 12 hours of category-specific recertification training.
  2. Completed 2 years of verifiable experience as a Commercial Technician.

Commercial Technicians who meet one of these requirements should contact Pesticides Management staff at their regional DEC office to begin the upgrade process. Certified Commercial Technicians who live outside of NYS should contact DEC Central Office at (518) 402-8748 if they wish to upgrade to Commercial Applicator. 

Upcoming courses can be found using the NYSPAD information portal. You can narrow the search by region or county. To see online course options, choose “Yes” for Distance Learning.

 

2. Register for the Exam

Once an applicant has satisfied the eligibility requirements, they may register for an exam. Advance registration is required. DEC offers exams through multiple formats.

  1. Online Testing
  • Take pesticide 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.
  1. 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.
  1. Paper Exams
  • Paper exams will continue to be provided at the DEC regional offices on a limited basis.

Register for a pesticide certification exam using DEC’s online form tool, nForm. This link will take you directly to the application after you log in. New users will need to register with an email address and a password to use the nForm system. Any previous users of nForm through the NY.gov system can use the email address used for their NY.gov account and then create a password by using the “Forgot Password” option. The nForm online tool requires the use of Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox browsers. The online forms should be submitted on a computer or laptop as nForm is not optimized for mobile devices.

Applicants who are unable to take their exam online or at a test center may take a paper-based exam at a DEC regional office.  Open exam sessions available at DEC regional offices can be found in the NYSPAD information portal. To register for a paper-based exam use nForm. If you are unable to register online, you may submit a paper exam registration directly to the DEC region where you wish to test.

When applicants register for an exam session they will be asked to provide course certificates, transcripts or verifiable experience letters, depending on the eligibility criteria met. Payment will also be required at the time of registration. The fee for the core and one category/subcategory exam taken at the same session is $100. For applicants registering to take a category exam only, the fee for each category/subcategory exam is $100. Exam registration fees are non-refundable.

DEC retains the right to verify eligibility and experience by references and degrees, transcripts, etc. There will be no refund of the exam fee if a problem with the eligibility documentation is discovered at a later date.

For questions about exam eligibility and registration, contact the DEC regional office for your county of residence. 

Please Note: All applicants must have a photo on file with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Pesticide Applicator/Technician ID cards are produced by NYSDMV using the photograph they have on file. Applicants who do not have a current NYS driver’s license or non-driver ID card must go to a NYSDMV office and have their photo taken (at no cost). They should bring the Request for Photo Image form and the required proofs of identification with them to DMV. The DMV office will provide a receipt with a 9-digit DMV number. Applicants should NOT request a driver's license or non-driver ID. Doing so could cause their existing state ID card to be cancelled.

3. Prepare for the Exam

Training Manuals                                                                                                               

It is recommended that applicants read and study the core and appropriate category manual(s) to prepare for the exams. Training manuals can be ordered through the Cornell University Bookstore.

About the Exam                                                                                                                 

The core exam is 50 multiple choice questions, closed book and based on the core manual and the Department’s pesticide laws and regulations. Of the 50 questions, there are 10 pertaining to the pesticide label. To pass the core exam, 35 out of the 50 questions must be answered correctly and at least 7 of the label comprehension questions must also be answered correctly.

Category/subcategory exams are 50 multiple choice questions, open book, (manual allowed for in-person, paper exam only, computer-based exams include allowed reference material in the exam itself), and are based on the category/subcategory manual and the Department’s pesticide laws and regulations. 

Applicants are allowed 90 minutes to complete each exam. The allotted time begins at the conclusion of the instructions.

Technology Requirements for Online Testing

  • Use of a traditional desktop or laptop computer is required. Exams cannot be taken on mobile devices (e.g. Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, Android device, etc.).
  • Up-to-date computer operating system, minimum requirement: Windows 10+ or MacOS 11+.
  • Minimum Internet speed: 1 Mbps upload, 2 Mbps download. Tethering, VPNs, or Hotspots are not recommended.
  • A working webcam and microphone are required.
  • Use of one monitor; dual monitors are not allowed.
  • You will need administrative rights to your computer to download the proctoring tool.
  • If a “remote desktop” application is used, it must be disabled. If it is not disabled, then you will not be able to properly install the exam proctoring application.
  • Turn off all Virtual Machines before starting your exam attempt. If a virtual machine disrupts your exam attempt, you will need to re-register and pay for a new attempt.
  • Use an updated version of Google Chrome or Edge.
  • Prior to entering the exam, shut down your computer and restart. DO NOT open any other applications on your computer other than the exam.

Online Testing Policies and Requirements

  • Consent to the use of artificial intelligence-based facial recognition technology to verify your identity and monitor your session for the purposes of exam integrity and security is required.
  • Government-issued ID (driver’s license, etc.) required.
  • An online calculator will be available during the exam.
  • Mobile devices, such as cell phones, as well as smartwatches and smartglasses, CANNOT be in the room.
  • Use of headphones or earbuds is prohibited.
  • Disabling or blocking the camera or microphone during the exam is not allowed. Failure to maintain a working webcam and mic or blocking such devices will terminate your exam session and/or disqualify you from the exam.
  • Remain facing towards the webcam for the duration of the exam session so your entire face is visible.
  • It is strongly encouraged that headwear be removed that may block the view of the tester’s face and/or eyes.
  • Choose a quiet area that is free of distractions or other people.
  • Exams are CLOSED BOOK – no outside reference materials are allowed. For category exams, the allowed reference materials are provided within the exam. Any use of calculators, notes, dictionaries, or other reference materials not provided to you within the exam session is strictly prohibited.
  • Exam sessions will be recorded, monitored, and reviewed. Any cheating or assistance from others will NOT be tolerated. If it is determined that you received any type of assistance or cheated in any way, your exam results for all exams taken during that session may be invalid, and exam fees forfeited.

When registering to take an exam at an approved test center, applicants will be asked to provide preferred dates and testing locations. Approved testing center locations can be viewed on the provided map. Test center exam scheduling may take 1-3 business days. 

  • Government-issued ID (driver’s license, etc.) required.
  • An online calculator will be available during the exam.
  • Mobile devices, such as cell phones, as well as smartwatches and smartglasses, CANNOT be in the room.
  • Use of headphones or earbuds is prohibited
  • Exams are CLOSED BOOK – no outside reference materials are allowed. For category exams, the allowed reference materials are provided within the exam. Any use of calculators, notes, dictionaries, or other reference materials not provided to you within the exam session is strictly prohibited.
  • Test center proctors are not Department staff and will not be able to answer questions about the pesticide exams.
  • Any person found using notes, books, cellphones, or other aids other than those specified above; giving or receiving help; copying results from other persons; removing examination materials or notes from the exam location; causing a disturbance; or engaging in practices contrary to the rules of proper examination conduct will be dismissed without refund of the examination fee.

Applicants must call prior to the exam session if they are unable to keep their exam appointment. Failure to show for a scheduled exam, without sufficient notice of cancellation, may result in placement on a wait list for subsequent exams.

Report to the test location at least 15 minutes prior to the starting time. Applicants who are late will not be admitted into the exam.

Applicants should bring to the exam:

  1. Government-issued ID. The identification must be current and from the following list: Driver's license; State issued identification (such as a non-driver ID); Military ID; United States Passport; United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS issued ID).
  2. Their 9-digit NYSDMV number
  3. Their exam confirmation letter (if one was received) for the exam session, and any additional information or material as specified in the exam confirmation letter.
  4. The appropriate category manual for certification and private certification exams (applicators, specifically those testing in categories 24 or 11, may want the Worker Protection Standard WPS, How To Comply manual). Manuals cannot be used for commercial recertification exams.
  5. Two sharpened #2 pencils and one pen using blue or black ink.
  6. Calculator (non-programmable). Any other type of electronic device will not be allowed.
  7. For retests, applicants must also bring their exam score notice from the previous test.

NOTE: Exams are proctored by Department staff. Any person found using notes, books, cellphones, or other aids other than those specified above; giving or receiving help; copying results from other persons; removing examination materials or notes from the exam location; causing a disturbance; or engaging in practices contrary to the rules of proper examination conduct will be dismissed without refund of the examination fee and their exam answer sheet will not be graded.

4. After Taking the Exam

Applicants will be notified by email of their exam scores.

Exam results are not given over the phone.

After passing an exam, applicants must pay the certification fee. When an applicant passes the exam(s) necessary to become certified, recertified, or to add another category/subcategory, they will receive an invoice in the mail specifying the certification fee due. The invoice will contain details about how to make payment online. Applicants also have the option to return the bottom portion of the invoice with a check or money order. The certification fee must be paid within 6 months of taking an exam. An applicant who does not pay the certification fee within 6 months, must retake the exam.

The certification fee for Commercial Technicians and Commercial Applicators with one category is $450. Each additional category (Commercial Applicators only) is $150.

For Commercial Applicators adding a category to an existing certification the fee is prorated based on the applicator’s current certification cycle, with the maximum certification fee being $150. 

Once the certification fee is received and processed, the certification ID card will be mailed to the applicant. This may take 2 – 4 weeks from the time the fee is paid. If the ID card has not been received within 4 weeks of making payment, the applicant must submit a request to have a new card printed. The online card request form and a printable PDF can be found on the Pesticides Forms Page. An applicator or technician may only start applying pesticides if they physically possess a certification ID card.

Please Note: If an applicant fails the core exam twice, they must complete an additional 8 credit hours of training prior to retaking the exam. If an applicant fails a category or subcategory exam 3 times in succession, they must retake both the core and category exams. An applicant who passes a core exam must also pass a category exam within 6 months. Failure to do so will require the applicant to retake the core exam. 

Register Your Pesticide Business with DEC

Important: If the business you own or work for offers their pesticide services for hire, the business must be registered with the NYSDEC Bureau of Pesticide Management

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DMM, Bureau of Pesticides Management
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-7254

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