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Pesticide Applicators Licensing
Ron Meyer, Area
Extension Agent - Golden Plains Area
and Alan Helm, Area Extension Agent -
Golden Plains Area
Date: 1/25/2010
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Currently, there are two
groups of agricultural pesticide applicators who are required to be licensed
with the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). Licenses are divided into
Private applicators and Commercial applicators.
Private applicators are
those producers who apply pesticides on the land they farm (owned or rented).
As the Colorado statutes are written, private applicators may not apply
pesticides for a fee to anyone or they will be classified as commercial
applicators. In addition, private applicators only need to be licensed to apply
restricted-use pesticides. Non restricted-use pesticides do not require a
license to purchase.
Commercial applicators are those who apply
pesticides for a fee, regardless of the type of pesticide.
Both private
and commercial applicators must be licensed before they can purchase
restricted-use pesticides. Keep in mind that the old EPA pesticide licenses are
valid in Colorado only until they expire. Therefore, applicators that hold the
old cards will need to take the CDA test to become current. Anybody can order a
test directly from the CDA or stop in at one of the Colorado State University
Extension offices, as many continue to carry them. In addition, some
agricultural retailers also have tests available.
Once licensed,
applicators can either collect continuing education credits (CEC) or retake the
test. Private applicators need 7 CEC’s within a three year period in order
to renew their license without testing. Commercial applicators need not only
the 7 “Core” CED’s, but also additional category
credits.
For more information regarding requirements for both private
and commercial applicators, contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture at
(303) 239-4148.