• Topics: Pesticide Information Office | Fishel, Frederick M

Preparing for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agricultural and Related Pest Control Applicator Exams¹

This guide provides an understanding of the necessary study preparation procedures needed prior to taking agricultural and related pest control certification exams for the purpose of becoming licensed under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Training

Training for all of the agricultural categories and most related categories is conducted by the University of Florida/IFAS Cooperation Extension Service. Most training materials may be purchased at a nominal cost. See Table 1 for a list of the primary training and reference materials and where to obtain them for restricted use pesticide licensing.

Additional pesticide safety education and pest management resources can be obtained from the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Bookstore. A catalog of offerings and an online order form are available at www.ifasbooks.ufl.edu. Orders can also be placed by telephone toll free at 1-800-226-1764. Pesticide safety education and pest management resources can also be found on the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Data Information Source (EDIS). To view a list of resources available from this source, go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Pesticides.

Training classes are conducted by the Cooperative Extension Service in local offices statewide. All county offices offer training in general standards (core) and private applicator agricultural pest control. Selected county offices offer category training for public and commercial applicators. For schedules of training classes, check with the local Cooperative Extension Service offices near you. A list of the county offices is provided online at http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/.

The FDACS Bureau of Compliance Monitoring/Pesticide Certification Section conducts or arranges training for the following categories:

•

• Chlorine gas infusion

•

• Sewer root control

•

• Regulatory inspection and sampling (for FDACS employees)

To obtain training manuals for these categories, call the Pesticide Certification Section at 850-716-7850. These training manuals are also listed in Table 1.

The FDACS Division of Plant Industry (DPI) conducts training for its employees in the category of regulatory pest control. DPI may be contacted at 352-372-3505.

Examination Requirements

Under the Florida Pesticide Law, certification is defined as recognition by FDACS that an individual is knowledgeable and competent in the use of pesticides. Once an individual becomes certified, he or she is then eligible to obtain a pesticide applicator license. All applicants for agricultural pesticide applicator licenses issued under Chapter 487, F.S., must pass one or more examinations for initial certification before obtaining a license. Examinations will not be translated into other languages orally, in writing or in any other form. The following provides a description of the exams required for each license type.

Private License (private applicator agricultural pest control)

Two examinations are required to obtain a private applicator license:

1. General standards (core) exam; and

2. Private applicator agricultural pest control exam.

Public and Commercial License

Public and commercial applicators are required to pass the core examination and the examinations for each category of intended use. EXCEPTION: The following category exams include questions from the core exam, so it is not necessary to take the core exam: chlorine gas infusion, and sewer root control. Public and commercial applicators may become licensed in as many categories as desired, provided they qualify for each category and pass the appropriate exams.

Description of Examinations

General Standards (Core) Exam. The core examination is a basic examination that includes general knowledge of proper pesticide use and pesticide safety. This exam is required for all licenses except those listed above.

• Core exams administered by IFAS: The core exam is given at all county Cooperative Extension Offices throughout the state.

• Core exams administered by FDACS: the core exam is given by FDACS for its employees for certification as public applicators in regulatory pest control and regulatory inspection and sampling.

Category Exams Administered by IFAS. The University of Florida/IFAS develops and administers the following category examinations:

• Aerial application

• Agricultural animal pest control

• Agricultural row crop pest control

• Agricultural tree crop pest control

• Aquatic pest control

• Demonstration and research

• Forest pest control

• Natural areas weed management

• Ornamental & turf pest control

• Private applicator agricultural pest control

• Raw agricultural commodity pest control

• Right-of-way pest control

• Seed treatment

• Soil & greenhouse fumigation

• Wood treatment

Category exams are given in select Cooperative Extension Service offices. Contact an office near you to determine which category exams are offered and the dates and times offered.

All exams are multiple choice and are given closed book. A passing grade of 70% is required on all exams.

Tables

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

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