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Pesticide Applicators Licensing and Recertification
Ron Meyer, Area
Extension Agent - Golden Plains Area
Date: 1/23/2012
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Currently, there are two
groups of agricultural pesticide applicators who are required to be licensed
with the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). Licenses are divided into
Private applicators and Commercial applicators.
Private applicators are
those producers who apply pesticides on the land they farm (owned or rented).
As the Colorado statutes are written, private applicators may not apply
pesticides for a fee to anyone or they will be classified as commercial
applicators. In addition, private applicators only need to be licensed to apply
restricted-use pesticides. Non restricted-use pesticides do not require a
license to purchase.
Commercial applicators are those who apply
pesticides for a fee, regardless of the type of pesticide.
Both private
and commercial applicators must be licensed before they can purchase
restricted-use pesticides. Keep in mind that the old EPA pesticide licenses are
valid in Colorado only until they expire. Therefore, applicators that hold the
old cards will need to take the new CDA test to become current. Anybody can
order a test directly from the CDA or stop in at one of the Colorado State
University Extension offices, as many offices continue to carry them. In
addition, some agricultural retailers also have tests available.
Once
licensed, applicators can either collect continuing education credits (CEC) or
retake the test when renewal is required. Private applicators need 7 CEC’s
within a three year period in order to renew their license without testing.
Commercial applicators need not only the 7 “Core” CED’s, but
also additional category credits.
Private Applicator’s
Recertification Sessions
Colorado State University Extension is planning
to host two Private Pesticide Applicator’s recertification sessions in
February. The events will take place on Thursday Feb 16, 2012. These sessions
will provide all 7 private pesticide applicator credits needed to recertify
private applicator licenses. In addition, these also will fulfill the 7
“core” Commercial Applicator credits required for commercial
applicators. Following recertification, licenses are valid for an additional
three years. Without recertification, private applicators will need to re-take
the Private Applicators Exam from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Private applicator certification is required for those pesticide applicators
who purchase restricted-use pesticides. Specialists from Colorado State
University will be hosting these trainings.
The first session will be
held Thursday Feb 16, at the Burlington Community Center from 8:30 AM to
approximately noon. No lunch is planned. Pre-registration is $50 per person and
can be accomplished by sending a check to: KCC Ext. Activity Fund, 251 16th ST.
Suite 101, Burlington, CO or call the office at (719) 346-5571 to reserve a
place. Registration at the door will be $60/person.
The second session
will be held on the afternoon of February 16 at Flagler Aerial Spraying , in
Flagler beginning at 2:00 pm and continuing until 5:30pm. This session will
offer the same credits as the morning session. Pre-registration and walk-in
registration will be the same for this site, as well.