COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Commercial Applicator Certification

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials
Bureau of Pesticides Management
Pesticide Product Registration Section
625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-7257
Phone 518-402-8768 FAX 518-402-9024
Website: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dshm/pesticid/pesticid.htm
E-Mail: ppr@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Certified Pesticide Applicator Fee/Recertification Changes
(December 2004)

The Budget Law for State Fiscal Year 2004-2005, which became effective April 1, 2004, included a change in the frequency, from one year to three years, for which most (except those certified in 3A only or 3B only) commercial pesticide applicators and technicians pay certification fees and are issued ID cards. The following provides a summary of how these changes may affect certified pesticide applicators and technicians under a variety of situations.

No change in the $50 exam fee.
No changes for private applicators. Certification fee remains at $25 every 5 years. Receive 5-year ID card at next recertification date. Most private applicators now recertify every 5 years. Some are still finishing a 6-year cycle.
In general, most commercial applicators will start a new 3-year recertification cycle upon their next card expiration date and will have to earn recertification credits within this new 3-year recertification cycle. The number of credits needed will be 50% of that specified in 6 NYCRR Part 325. Category/subcategory specific credits (at least 25%) will still be required. Credits obtained before an existing 5- or 6-year recertification period was adjusted to a 3-year recertification cycle can be counted towards satisfying the 3-year recertification credit requirement.
The differences in the certification fees and ID card expiration date based on a commercial applicators categories/subcategories of certification are described below.

Commercial applicator/technician fees (except for those certified in either 3A only or 3B only) will now be paid every 3 years at $225 for the first category/subcategory and $75 for each additional category/subcategory. Some common examples include: i) 7A & 7F ($300); ii) 7A, 7C & 7F ($375); iii) 3A & 7A ($300); and iv) 3A & 5A ($300).

At the next certification ID card expiration date:
- Pay 3-year fees, receive a 3-year ID card, and start new 3-year recertification cycle requiring half the recertification credits identified in Part 325.
- If due to recertify ("credits due by" date is the same as ID card expiration date), commercial applicators must also submit 6-year recertification credits (through June 2006).
- If due to renew, ("credits due by" date is different from ID card expiration date), no recertification credits needed.
For exams taken after October 21, 2004:
- New applicators/technicians pay a $50 exam fee, and a $225 certification fee for a 3- year ID card and start a three-year recertification cycle requiring half the recertification credits identified in Part 325. Technicians recertify by paying the fee only.
- For commercial applicators adding categories/subcategories, pay pro-rated fee of $25 for each year or portion thereof until existing card expires. The recertification date for the existing categories/subcategories does not change. In most cases, the 3-year recertification period for the added category/subcategory will start after the existing card expiration date.
- If less than 3 months are remaining until the existing ID card expires, the applicator needs to pay the appropriate 3-year fees when adding a category/subcategory. The Regions may collect the total fees due, but may wish to consult with Central Office to verify the correct amount and also to determine whether recertification credits are due.
For technicians advancing to commercial applicator:
- If the individual's technician ID card has an expiration date that is less than 3 years, a pro-rated fee (e.g. $75 for each year and/or portion thereof less than 3 years for technicians with one category/subcategory) will be collected by the Central Office upon advancement. The individual will be issued a new commercial applicator ID card valid for three years and will start a new 3-year recertification cycle.
- If the individual's technician ID card has an expiration date that is greater than 3 years, no additional fee will be required. The individual will be issued a new commercial applicator ID card with the same expiration and recertification date as the previous technician ID card.
- Requests for advancement must be sent to the Regional Offices for consideration and review. Upon acceptance, the Regional office will notify the Reporting & Certification Section in the Albany Central Office. The Central Office will calculate appropriate certification fees, bill and collect fees from the applicant, and issue the commercial applicator ID card.
Late renewals/recertifications (ID Card Expires Prior to April 1, 2004)
- Central Office will process recertifications that are up to two years late provided the applicator pays the back fees to get the card "current" and submits the required number of recertification credits (or passes the appropriate recertification exam) and submits 6 late credits. (Late credits are obtained after the recertification date.)
- Central Office will process renewals that are up to three years late provided the applicator pays the back fees to get the card "current."
- The back fees will be based on the ID card expiration date (i.e. $75 for each year late for the first category/subcategory and $25 per year for each additional category/ subcategory).
- Central Office will determine total fees due and credits, if necessary.
Late renewals/recertifications (ID Card Expires After April 1, 2004)
- Central Office will process recertifications that are up to two years late provided the applicator pays the 3-year certification fees and submits the required number of recertification credits (or passes the appropriate recertification exam) and submits 6 late credits. (Late credits are obtained after the recertification date.)
- Central Office will process renewals that are up to three years late provided the applicator pays the 3-year certification fees.
- The applicator will receive an ID card valid for three years after the previous card expires.

Commercial applicator/technician fees for those certified in either 3A only or 3B only will still be paid annually but the fee is increased to $100.

At the next certification ID card expiration date:
- Pay $100 fee, receive 1-year ID card, and start new 3-year recertification cycle requiring half the recertification credits identified in Part 325. Technicians recertify by paying the fee only.
- If due to recertify ("credits due by" date is the same as ID card expiration date), commercial applicators must also submit 6-year recertification credits (through June 2006).
- If due to renew, ("credits due by" date is different from ID card expiration date), no recertification credits needed.
For exams taken after October 21, 2004:
- New applicators/technicians pay a $50 exam fee and a $100 certification fee for a one year ID card and start a 3-year recertification cycle.
- For commercial applicators adding categories/subcategories, pay pro-rated fee of $25 for each year or portion thereof until existing card expires. The recertification date for the existing 3A or 3B subcategory does not change. In most cases, the 3-year recertification period for the added category/subcategory and payment of 3-year certification fees will start after the existing card expiration date.
- If less than 3 months are remaining until the existing ID card expires, the applicator needs to pay the 3-year fees ($300) when adding a category/subcategory.
For technicians advancing to commercial applicator:
- No fee will be collected upon advancement, since the individual may already possess a technician ID card with a card expiration date as far out as June 21, 2009. The individual will be issued a new commercial applicator ID card with the same expiration date as the previous technician card expiration date and will start a 3-year recertification cycle.
- Requests for advancement must be sent to the Regional Offices for consideration and review. Upon acceptance, the Regional office will notify the Reporting & Certification Section in the Albany Central Office. The Central Office will issue the commercial applicator ID card.
Late renewals/recertifications:
- Central Office will process recertifications that are up to two years late provided the applicator pays the back fees to get the card "current" and submits the required number of recertification credits (or passes the appropriate recertification exam) and submits 6 late credits. (Late credits are obtained after the recertification date.)
- Central Office will process renewals that are up to three years late provided the applicator pays the back fees to get the card "current."
- The back fees will be based on the card expiration date (i.e. $75 for each year late prior to April 1, 2004 and $100 annually after April 1, 2004).
- If there are less than 3 months to the card expiration month, the applicator also needs to pay an additional $100 annual certification fee to add another year of certification.

Category/Subcategory Number/Letter Designations and Recertification Continuing Credit Hours

CCH
	Commercial Categories	3-Year	6-Year	5-Year

1A	Agricultural Plant	8	16	13
1B	Agricultural Animal	6	12	10
1C	Companion Animal	5	10	8
1D	Fumigation of Soil and Agricultural Commodities	6	12	10
2	Forest Pest Control	6	12	10
3A	Ornamentals, Shade Trees and Turf	10	20	17
3B	Turf	10	20	17
3C	Interior Plant Maintenance	10	20	17
4	Seed Treatment	5	10	8
5A	Aquatic Vegetation Control	8	16	13
5B	Aquatic Insect & Misc. Aquatic Organisms Control	8	16	13
5C	Aquatic Fish Control	8	16	13
5D	Aquatic Anti-Fouling Paints	5	10	8
5E	Sewer Line Root Control	5	10	8
6A	Rights-of-Way Vegetation Control	8	16	13
6B	Rights-of-Way In Place Pole Treatments	8	16	13
7A	Structural and Rodent	12	24	20
7B	Fumigation	6	12	10
7C	Termite	8	16	13
7D	Lumber and Wood Products	6	12	10
7F	Food Processing	12	24	20
7G	Cooling Towers, Pulp and Paper Process	5	10	8
8	Public Health Pest Control	8	16	13
9	Regulatory Pest Control	5	10	8
10	Demonstration & Research Pest Control	5	10	8
11	Aerial Pilot	6	12	10
12	Sales (of Restricted Use Pesticides)	3	6	5

	Private Categories

21	Field and Forage	NA	12	10
22	Fruit	NA	12	10
23	Vegetable	NA	12	10
24	Greenhouse and Florist	NA	12	10
25	Nursery, Ornamentals and turf	NA	12	10
31	Agricultural Animal Pest Control	NA	10	8
41	Aquatic Pest Control	NA	10	8

Approximate dates:
3-year: Commercial applicators that initially certify or are renewed/recertified on or after November 21, 2004
5-year: Commercial applicators that initially certified or recertified between July 1, 2002 & July 1, 2003. Private applicators that initially certified or recertified after July 1, 2002.
6-year: Commercial applicators with "credits due by" date through June 2006. Private applicators with "credits due by" date through June 2007.

Disclaimer: Please read the pesticide label prior to use. The information contained at this web site is not a substitute for a pesticide label. Trade names used herein are for convenience only; no endorsement of products is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products implied. Most of this information is historical in nature and may no longer be applicable.

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