| State of Maryland Pesticide Applicator Certification Requirements |
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State of Maryland Pesticide Applicator Certification Requirements
General Information - Maryland Title 15, Subtitle 05, Chapter 01, Use and Sale of Pesticides, Certification of Pesticide Applicators and Pest Control Consultants, and Licensing of Pesticide Businesses is the Maryland Department of Agriculture publication that provides pesticide regulatory information for ARS employees applying pesticides in the State of Maryland.
An employee of a federal, state, county or local government agency or any training institution engaged in pest control that has successfully met the requirements (examination, experience) for certification as a certified pesticide applicator in the State of Maryland is classified as a Public Agency Applicator.
Every employee of a business or agency that performs pest control must register with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Every business or agency is responsible for ensuring and verifying that any employee working with pesticides (other than certified applicators) successfully completes an employer-sponsored training program that has been approved by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Any newly hired employee that will be applying pesticides must complete training under a Maryland Department of Agriculture approved training program within 30 days of employment and before registration with the Department. All certified pesticide applicators and registered employees are issued a photo identification card by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
A licensee or permittee (i.e., business or agency) may not allow an employee who has failed to successfully complete an approved training program to apply any pesticides unless a certified applicator or registered employee is physically present at the time and place of application. An employee may not use a restricted use pesticide unless that employee is a trained and registered employee applicator or is an employee working under the supervision of a certified applicator.
In order to contact your state agency for assistance and information, please refer to the North Atlantic Area State Pesticide Applicator Information Table in this section. Information on the licensing requirements for pesticide applicators in the State of Maryland can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.mda.state.md.us/plant/license.htm
Basic Certification Requirements - NAA location research employees are required to obtain forms and apply to the Maryland Department of Agriculture for certification as a public agency applicator, generally in category 10 (Demonstration and Research). Applicants must successfully pass a written examination and demonstrate proof of practical and scientific knowledge of pest control by meeting one of the following:
- One year of experience acceptable to the Department as a full-time registered employee engaged in those categories in which the applicant seeks to be certified (proof of experience from former employers, certification or licensure from other states or the federal government)
- A degree or academic certificate acceptable to the Department
- A combination of education and experience acceptable to the Department
Certification is valid for one year beginning July 1st, or whenever obtained, until June 30th, when certification must be renewed. Public agency applicators are exempt from certification and examination fees.
Recertification Requirements - Maryland requires all certified applicators to attend recertification training each year in order to renew their certificate. If applicators are certified in multiple categories, they must attend recertification for each category in which they are certified. The training does not have to be held in Maryland. Upon submission of proof of training, the Maryland Department of Agriculture will update the certified applicator's training records and a renewal form will be mailed to the applicator in April. If a certified applicator does not attend recertification training, or provide the Maryland Department of Agriculture with proof of attendance, the applicator must retake the certification exams by June 30 in order to renew the certificate.
