A. No private applicator shall use a restricted use pesticide without first complying with the certification requirements determined by the department as necessary to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on the environment, including injury to the applicator or other persons.

B. In determining these certification requirements, the board shall take into consideration standards of the United States environmental protection agency. Certification requirements for a private applicator to be certified to use restricted use pesticides may include but shall not be limited to the following:

(1) the applicant shall acknowledge that he understands and will abide by the label precautions by signing a dealer's pesticide register. The register shall include the name and address of the private applicator and other information as prescribed by the department. The dealer shall keep a record of all restricted use pesticides distributed to a private applicator;

(2) the applicant shall obtain a user permit prior to purchase and use of the pesticide. The department may issue restricted use pesticide permits to private applicators who have documented the crops, location and acreage on the permit for the seasonal or temporary period for which their permit is issued. User permits shall only be issued for registered or experimental uses and shall be subject to other limitations as specified by the department. The limitations may include limiting the areas of use, the timing or method of application and limiting the amount of the pesticide to that needed to cover the acreage to be treated;

(3) the applicant shall be required to pass a written examination demonstrating his competency with respect to the use and handling of the pesticide or pesticides covered by his certification prior to purchase and use of the product; and

(4) the applicant shall be required to obtain approval from the department for each application involving a specific risk to the environment. The applicant shall submit to the department an application form for a special review permit. The application shall include detailed information on the intended use, the responsible person in charge and the equipment and conditions under which the pesticide application is to be made. The department in reviewing the application for a special review permit may require additional restrictions such as on-site inspection or supervision.

C. The department shall charge the prescribed fee for each certification.

D. If a private applicator does not qualify, the department shall inform the applicant in writing.

E. Private applicator certification shall be valid for a period of not less than three years, established by the board.

History: 1953 Comp., § 45-25-20, enacted by Laws 1973, ch. 366, § 20; 1979, ch. 394, § 7.