Private Pesticide Applicators in Kentucky

Private Pesticide Applicators in Kentucky

(From the Plan for Certification of Pesticide Applicators, Commonwealth of Kentucky)

The Department of Agriculture is the lead agency in administering Federal and state pesticide laws and regulations. They will be the certifying agency for pesticide applicators in Kentucky. The lead agency will be assisted by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Policy decisions will be made solely by the Department of Agriculture.

The Cooperative Extension Service is responsible for the training of private pesticide applicators in each of Kentucky's 120 counties. All involved extension personnel will be certified AND LICENSED by the Department of Agriculture in the Demonstration and Research (10) Category. [Individuals certified in this category must pass a 75 question test. They must EARN 12 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (9 GENERAL AND 3 CATEGORY SPECIFIC) within the 3 (changed from 5 year) -year certification period or take the test again.]

Competence of each private applicator will be verified by the administration of a private applicator certification system which ensures that the private applicator is competent, based on standards set forth above, to use the Restricted Use pesticides under limitations of applicable Kentucky and federal laws and regulations. Passage of a written competency test is an alternative means of certification. (Available on a voluntary basis)

Minimum Standards for Private Applicators (Taken from Code of Federal Regulations Part 40 Protection of Environment)

A practical knowledge of common pests to be controlled and the damage caused by them.
Read and understand the label and labeling information including- common name of the pesticide applied, pests to be controlled, timing and methods of application, safety precautions, any pre-harvest or re-entry restrictions and any specific disposal procedures.
Apply pesticides in accordance with the label instructions and warnings, be able to prepare proper concentrations and calibrate application equipment.
Recognize local environmental situations that must be considered during application to avoid contamination.
Be able to recognize poisoning symptoms and procedure to follow in case of a pesticide accident.

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