| State of Maine Pesticide Applicator Certification Requirements |
|
State of Maine Pesticide Applicator Certification Requirements
Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources (01), Board of Pesticides Control (26), Rule Chapter 31, Certification and Licensing Provisions / Commercial Applicator and related pesticide rules, including record keeping, can be accessed at http://www.state.me.us/sos/cec/rcn/apa/01/chaps01.htm. A commercial license is required for the use of any pesticide in connection with duties as an official or employee of federal, state or local government, including municipal agencies, schools, and universities.
Any commercial applicator must be either:
- licensed as a commercial applicator / master; or
- licensed as a commercial applicator / operator; or
- supervised on-site either by a licensed commercial applicator / master or a commercial applicator / operator who is physically present and directly overseeing the application.
Commercial applicator / master - is the certification level required for the person responsible for major pest control decisions, for establishing policies related to proper pesticide use, and for employee training and overall work practices. Each branch office of any company or agency, required to have personnel licensed commercially under state pesticide law, shall have in its employment at least one Master applicator. A Master applicator must be licensed in all categories in which the branch office of the agency performs applications. This Master applicator must actively supervise persons applying pesticides within such employing entity and have the ability to be on site to assist such persons within six hours driving time.
Commercial applicator / operator - is the minimum license requirement for individuals employed as technicians under supervision of a licensed master applicator. This operator must be licensed in all categories in which they perform pesticide applications.
Basic Certification Requirements - An applicant seeking certification as a commercial applicator / master must successfully complete a 'closed book' Regulations exam with a passing grade of 80% or higher. An applicant seeking certification as a commercial applicator / master must successfully complete a Master exam. An applicant who passes the core and one category exam shall be considered eligible for Operator level licensing in that particular category so long as that person will be working under the supervision of a Master applicator. Federal, State or Local government employees are exempt from certification and examination fees.
Recertification Requirements - Certification is valid for a period of five years, however during this time, approved pesticide update training must be attended. Commercial applicator / master recertification requires 15 credit hours, including at least 3 in a category they are licensed under and 1 credit hour in environmental science, ecology, or toxicology. Commercial applicator / operator recertification requires 10 credit hours, including at least 3 in a category they are licensed under and 1 credit hour in environmental science, ecology, or toxicology.
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 Maine can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.state.me.us/agriculture/pesticides
