Certified ApplicatorApplicatorCertPrep

Categories · federal

Agricultural crop pest control

Field crops, orchards, vineyards and every operation growing plants for food or fiber. The largest slice of for-hire agricultural application work.

What the regulation says

40 CFR 171.101, as published

(a) Agricultural pest control—(1) Crop pest control. This category applies to commercial applicators who use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides in production of agricultural commodities, including but not limited to grains, vegetables, small fruits, tree fruits, peanuts, tree nuts, tobacco, cotton, feed and forage crops including grasslands, and non-crop agricultural lands.

States may define additional categories and set category-specific requirements; your state lead agency is the authority.

Who certifies here

Custom applicators serving farms; co-op application services; crop consultants who also apply.

The requirements every category shares

  • Commercial applicator certification by written examination, with a minimum age of 18.
  • Certification expires five years after issuance under the federal standard; your authority may set a shorter period.
  • Renewal by re-examination or an approved continuing education program.
  • Noncertified workers may operate under the direct supervision of a certified applicator, subject to the supervision requirements.

Other categories

The certification map

One printable page: private vs commercial, every federal category, and the five-year clock with the exam-or-CE choice. Free.

No spam. One useful sheet and occasional notes.