Commercial Pesticide Applicator
| Part 1. General Information |
| Part 2. Commercial Applicator Certification |
| Part 3. Recertification of Commercial Applicators |
Part 1. General Information
Pesticide Applicator Certification is designed to demonstrate a certain level of competency by pesticide users on the safe use of pesticides. Users of pesticides are classified as either private applicators or commercial applicators.
PRIVATE APPLICATOR - any person who uses, or supervises the use, of pesticides for the purpose of raising an agricultural commodity. The application can be done on land owned or rented by the applicator or the applicator's employer. Examples of private applicators are dairy farmers, vegetable or fruit growers, greenhouse growers, ranchers, nurserymen, and home gardeners. Request a private exam application if your occupation requires private certification.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR - any person who applies pesticides for non-agricultural purposes. Any person who uses, or supervises the use, of pesticides on a "for hire" basis.* Also, any person who applies pesticides as part of his job with any governmental agency. Examples of commercial applicators are those who work for exterminators; landscapers; tree services; aerial applicators; weed control firms; pet groomers; apartments, motels, nursing homes, restaurants, etc. who do their own pest control work; and governmental agencies such as mosquito extermination commissions, public schools, Departments of Public Works, Departments of Health, the DOT, etc.
*If you apply pesticides "for hire" in New Jersey, State law requires that your business obtain a Pesticide Applicator Business License. The definition of a Pesticide Applicator Business is a business (or person) who, either wholly or in part, holds himself out for hire to apply pesticides. Examples are: pet groomers, exterminators, landscapers, tree services, aerial applicators, etc. This Pesticide Applicator Business License is in addition to your Certified Pesticide Applicator license.
NOTE: To make changes to personal information associated with a current license, including updates to the home address, please submit
License Change Form VPC-004 to pestcertcourses@dep.nj.gov.
Part 2. Commercial Applicator Certification
Certification is accomplished by passing pesticide applicator certification exams. Everyone must pass the basic "Core" certification exam. This exam is based on the Pesticide Applicator Training Manual - Core. To be eligible to take the Core exam, the applicant shall submit proof of completion of a Department approved Basic Pesticide Training Course (see Notice). The course shall provide a working knowledge of the following: proper use of application equipment, potential hazards involved in applying pesticides, instructions for the mixing of pesticides, protective clothing and equipment, applicable State and Federal pesticide laws and regulations, interpretation of pesticide labels and understanding integrated pest management. Proof of course completion must be uploaded to the PACER system at pacer.rutgers.edu when applying to take the Core exam.
In addition to the Core exam, one or more "Category" certification exams must be passed. The Category exams needed depend on the type of pest control that will be done. To be eligible to take a Category exam, the applicant must complete a minimum of 40 hours of "on-the-job training" (OJT) for each category applied for. By definition, 40 hours of on-the-job training shall consist of a minimum number of separate applications, as specified in the following table. Certification in Category 10 and 13 is exempt from the category training requirements. Certification in Category 11 requires training in aerial only. Proof of the required training in Category 11 shall be submitted with the exam application form.
To submit the 40 hours of OJT information, indicate on the "Category Training Verification Form" the following information:
1. Check the yes block and fill in the category training received;
2. Enter the applicant's name, signature and date;
3. Complete the trainer's name, signature and date;
4. Submit the "Category Training Verification Form" with the exam application form.
Forty hours of OJT is required if it is available to you. Presently, you may take training courses for categories 3A, 3B, 7A, 7B and 8B, in lieu of the 40 hours of OJT, if it is not available to you. For other categories, an exemption is available. Some of the situations that would qualify for this exemption include a person who is starting their own business, or someone working for an apartment complex, school or government agency and where there is no Certified Pesticide Applicator currently employed to give the training. To apply for the exemption, indicate on the Training Verification Form VPE-002 why the 40 hours of OJT is not available to you and submit along with the exam application form. You may also sign Affidavit Form VPE-001 if you have been previously licensed in the categories you are applying for. Upload the signed affidavit to the PACER portal at pacer.rutgers.edu when you apply for you category exam.
Categories Available and Minimum Number of Applications to beWitnessed or Performed:
