Utah has three (3) classifications of Pesticide Applicators:
1. Commercial – Any person who uses any pesticide for hire or compensation. A Commercial Pesticide Applicator must be affiliated with a Commercial Pesticide Business before they can receive their license.
2. Non-Commercial – Any person working as an individual or an employee of a firm, entity, or government agency who uses or demonstrates the use of any restricted-use pesticide and who does not qualify as a private or commercial applicator.
3. Private – Any person or his employer who uses or supervises the use of any restricted-use pesticide for the purpose of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him or his employer. Applicators are categorized in one or more of the categories defined below, based on the application site and the type of work they perform.
1. Agriculture (a) Plant – Applicators using pesticides to control pests in the production of agricultural crops. (b) Animal – Applicators using pesticides on animals or places which animals inhabit.
2. Forest – Applicators using pesticides in forests, forest nurseries, or forest seed producing areas.
3. Ornamental and Turf – Applicators using pesticides to control pests in the maintenance and production of ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers and turf; also pests around foundations, sidewalks, driveways and other similar locations.
4. Seed Treatment – Applicators using pesticides on seeds.
5. Aquatic (a) Surface Water – Applicators applying pesticides to standing or running water, excluding public health-related activities. (b) Sewer Root Control – Applicators using pesticides to control roots in sewers or in related systems.
6. Right-Of-Way – Applicators using pesticides in maintaining public roads, electric power lines, pipelines, railway rights-of-way, or other similar areas.
7. Structural and Health-Related – Applicators using pesticides in, on or around food handling establishments, human dwellings, institutions such as schools, hospitals, industrial establishments, warehouses, storage units and any other structures and adjacent areas public or private to control household pests, fabric pests, stored-products pests, and vertebrate pests.
8. Public Health – State, federal or other government employees, or persons working under their supervision using, or supervising the use of, restricted-use pesticides in public health programs for control of pests having medical and public health importance.
9. Regulatory – Limited to state and federal employees, or persons under their direct supervision, who apply pesticides in a mechanical ejection device, a protective collar, or other methods to control regulated pests. There are two subcategories: (a) This category is limited to state and federal, employees or persons under their direct supervision, who apply pesticides in a mechanical ejection device, or other methods to control regulated pests. (b) This category is limited to state and federal, employees or persons under their direct supervision, who apply pesticides in a protective collar, or other methods to control regulated pests.
10. Demonstration, Consultation and Research – Individuals who demonstrate to the public the proper use, techniques, benefits, and methods of restricted-use pesticides. Also persons conducting field research with restricted-use pesticides. In addition they shall meet the specific standards applicable to their particular activity.
11. Aerial Application – Applicators applying pesticides by aircraft. Aerial applicators are also required to certify in categories of intended application and have a valid pilot’s license.
12. Vertebrate Animal – Applicators applying pesticides in the control of vertebrate pests outdoors.
13. Fumigation/Stored Commodities – Applicators using fumigants to control pests in soil, structures, railroad cars, stored grains, manufactured products, grain elevators, flour mills, similar areas and items.
14. Wood-Preservation – Applicators who apply wood-preservative pesticides to wood products such as fence posts, electrical poles, railroad ties or any other form of wood products.
15. Wood-Destroying Organisms – Applicators using pesticides to control termites, carpenter ants, wood-boring or tunneling insects, bees, wasps, wood decaying fungi and any other pests destroying wood products. Commercial and Non-Commercial Applicators must pass, with a score of 70% or above, on the general and at least one category test in which they would like to be certified. Applicators may certify in any category, except they must meet the special qualifications for aerial and demonstration categories. Commercial Applicators have the option to pay $65.00 for a 3 year license or $55.00 for a 1 year license, and $35 a year, for each of the next two years (Total $125.00). Non-Commercial and Private Applicators are required to pay $20 for a 3 year license. All fees must be paid before testing can begin. A check is preferable and should be made out to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). MasterCard or Visa payments will be accepted in the Salt Lake City office, or by phone (801-538-7185). Cash payments will only be accepted in the Salt Lake City office and should be for the exact amount. A $15.00 fee will be charged for any replacement license (including re-prints for a change of address or similar request). Study materials are available at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food-Plant Industry Division in Salt Lake City or any district field office. A minimum of two books should be used: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual, and a category manual (for categories 1-15 as listed above) for each category in which you wish to be certified. It is recommended that the books be studied thoroughly. When you are ready to take the tests, make an appointment at the field office nearest you. Appointments are recommended. Walk-ins are tested on a space-available basis only. All your tests must be taken at the same office, regardless if you pass, or fail. Scratch paper, pencil and a calculator will be provided; you will not be allowed to use your own. You should allow yourself a minimum of three (3) hours for testing. All tests not completed by 5:30 P.M., or 20 minutes from office closing, will be scored and results used. The Test Administrator will issue a temporary license that is good for 30 days after passing the required category tests. A permanent license will be mailed within 30 days from the Salt Lake City office. The Test Administrator will not be allowed to discuss any of the answers with you if you fail any of the tests, but they may help you with suggestions of what to study. You may study the material and retake the test the same day, time and schedule permitting, provided you receive 65%, or higher score on any failed exam. An applicator may take the test three (3) times before an additional $15.00 will be charged for each additional two (2) tests. All applicators have sixty (60) days to complete the testing process. After 60 days they must pay and begin testing again. Private Applicators are allowed to take an open book test, which consists of a 50 question Private Applicator Examination. A score of 70% or above is required to pass the test. For the year 2010, Private Applicators may certify for the first time by attending a Utah State University Extension – UDAF sponsored certification course for Private Applicators only. Information on Pesticide Application, Licensing, Enforcement and other programs are available on our website; ag.utah.gov. Practice test questions and on-line training are available by clicking on “pesticide applicators”, on the right side of the screen under the column titled “Favorites”. (Revised December 21, 2009)