Do I Need to be Certified to Apply Pesticides in Virginia?

• Private Applicators
• Apply restricted use pesticides
• Produce an agricultural commodity
• Apply pesticides on their own land or that of their employer
• Commercial Applicators (For Hire)
• Use any pesticides on others' property in exchange for compensation
• Must work for a company with a Pesticide Business License

• Commercial Applicators (Not for Hire)
• Use any pesticides as part of job duties, on property owned or leased by them or their employers
• Use pesticides as a government employee
• Use pesticides on any area open to the general public at the following establishments: educational institutions, health care facilities, day-care facilities, convalescent facilities
• Use pesticides where open food is stored, processed or sold
• Use pesticides on any recreational land over five acres

• Registered Technicians
• Operate under the supervision of a commercial applicator when applying restricted-use pesticides
• Have not completed the requirements for commercial certification
• Can apply general use pesticides without supervision

How Do I Become Certified?

• Private Applicator
• Commercial Applicator (both for hire and not for hire)
• Registered Technician

Initial category training should take place on the job, and through the study of the Virginia Pesticide Applicator Training Manuals. Additional training resources can be found on the Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs website.

Additional Resources

• Order Training Manuals from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Distribution Center
• Applicator Change of Information (pdf)

Contact
Click here for Office of Pesticide Services contact information.

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