This document provides guidelines for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents on conducting pesticide applicator training and continuing education programs. It discusses license requirements for Extension personnel, guidelines for private applicator training, procedures for requesting approval and accreditation of continuing education courses from the Texas Department of Agriculture, acceptable and unacceptable course topics, and responsibilities of course sponsors.
2. For Your Information - -
The Power Point of the presentation is
posted at this site –
http://www-aes.tamu.edu/
Send Questions by e-mail to - - -
<< LMYERS@ag.tamu.edu >>
3. Introduction
Since 1965, The Agricultural and
Environmental Safety Unit has been the
primary Pesticide Safety Education
Program (PSEP) for Texas.
We have subject matter Specialists in
weed science, agronomy, agricultural and
structural education.
We provide support through training and
educational material development.
4. Objectives:
To provide information on pesticide laws
and regulations for the Texas Department
of Agriculture (TDA) and the Structural
Pest Control Service (SPCS).
To discuss Extension license requirements
for CEAs and Specialists.
To discuss the Private Applicator training
procedures.
5. Objectives (cont.)
To discuss Extension protocol for
conducting Continuing Education (CEU)
programs and activities (subject matter,
course approval, and utilization of
educational materials)
And
To provide information about the licensing
procedures for the various regulatory
agencies.
8. Extension License
Requirements
Extension CEAs Ag, ANR, EA IPM, Horticulture,
Marine, Extension Associates, Extension
Assistants, and Extension Specialists are
required to obtain Non-Commercial applicator
licenses if they use pesticides, conduct teaching
or research activities utilizing pesticides.
Each CEA or Specialist must pass the general,
L&Rs, and a category exam (O&T, Field Crop,
Weed & Brush…)
9. What License Do CEAs Need?
TDA Non-Commercial Political Subdivision
and a category that fits your primary work
area (ex: Weed and Brush, Fruit, Nut and
Vegetables…….)
Demonstration & Research: this is to be
prepared to conduct demonstration and
research activities with all possible
combinations of pesticides.
10. Can I Use My Non-Commercial
License to Purchase Pesticides for
Personal Use?
No, if the application of a RUP or SLU or
RH is strictly for personal use, you should
acquire a Private applicator license.
11. Conducting Pesticide
Applicator Training
Even though we are required to have a
non-commercial applicators license for our
own field work, it is NOT necessary to
have an applicators license to conduct
applicator certification or recertification
activities and programs as a part of your
job.
12. License Fees for Extension
Personnel
Extension personnel will be responsible for
paying the initial $12.00 license fee and
the yearly $12.00 renewal fee.
And any fees that might be incurred due to
late renewal.
Can use Pro-Card and renewals can be
made online.
13. Private Applicator Training
The Administration expects us to make
every effort to provide extraordinary
customer service.
If space is available and you have
adequate support staff, individuals should
be able to come to the office and watch
the training video in lieu of classroom
training.
14. Private Applicator Training
All counties should promote and offer
PAT’s on a frequent basis to meet
clientele needs. A minimum of two per
county each year is required in rural
counties. It is appropriate and expected
that CEAs in larger counties designate a
day(s) each month in which the PAT will
be conducted.
15. Private Applicator Videos
The training video can be downloaded
from our website.
Go to www-aes.tamu.edu
Click on “Pesticide Safety Education
Resources”
Click on “CEA Resources”
Enter password
Download PACT video(s)
18. Pre-Exam Training
Training for Non-Commercial or
Commercial Exams is not required by
TDA, but there are some training classes
available from our office and other vendors
for General, Ornamental & Turf, and Right-
of-Way.
We also offer other categories by request
in College Station.
19. Conducting
Private Applicator Training
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s approach to
training and materials was revised in April 2011.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension guidelines
require all Private Applicator Training (PAT)
participants to purchase the “Private Applicator
Certification Package" (PACP) which includes
the most current Private Applicator Manual
B-1648 @ $25.00 and the most current TDA
Laws & Regulations Manual B-5056 @ $15.00.
20. Private Applicator Training
A Partial Cost Recovery (PCR) fee of
$10.00 per participant will be assessed on
all private applicator training sessions.
No Partial Cost Recovery fee (PCR) will
be assessed if a customer purchases the
PACP and does not wish to participate in
an applicator certification activity.
The standard PAT fee is $50.00 ($40.00
PACP + $10.00 PCR fee = $50.00).
21. Private Applicator Training
The most current order form will always be
available on our website at
http://www-aes.tamu.edu
There is now a separate order form for the
Private Applicator Packet on our website
for your clients and another under the CEA
Resources for Extension agent use only.
24. Private Applicator Training
The Private Applicator manual is sold to County
Agents for $15 and sold to the public for $25.
$10 of the $25 sale price is retained by the
Agent to seed and support his/her education and
applicator training programs.
The funds derived from manual sales are
intended to support Pesticide Safety Education
Program (PSEP) activities only.
26. Pesticide Continuing Education Course
Recertification Request Process
Complete the TDA Recertification Course
Form (Form PA-409).
http://www.texasagriculture.gov/Portals/0/f
orms/PEST/Applicator/pa_409_ceu_recerti
fication_sponsorship.pdf
27.
28. Pesticide Continuing Education Course
Recertification Request Process
Fax, mail or email the completed form to:
Texas Department of Agriculture
Certification and Training Program
PO Box 12847
Austin, Texas 78711
Fax: 888-216-9865
Email: recertcourses@texasagriculture.gov
*SPCS courses submitted to TDA require a fee
of $48 per credit hour.
29. Course Agenda
Provide an agenda in outline format OR
similar format that provides enough
information necessary to accurately accredit
your agenda.
30. Course Agenda (cont.)
The course agenda must specify the following:
• Title of each presentation
• Name of speaker(s) for each presentation
• Beginning and ending times of each presentation (ex:
8:00 am to 9:00 am) or total instruction time for each
topic. Instruction time must be relevant to pesticide
education.
• Whether or not a presentation occurs at the same time
as another presentation for which credits are requested
(concurrent/breakout sessions).
31. Course Agenda (cont.)
The course agenda must specify the following
(cont.):
• Beginning and ending times for each
break/lunch/dinner/reception.
• Detailed description of the content of the presentation.
• All field tours must include tour details and relevance to
pesticide applicators.
32. Example Agenda in Outline Form
Happy Pesticide Education Seminar Outline
Course Date: October 10, 2013
General Session (7:30 am – noon Blue Room)
7:30 - 8:00 am Registration
8:00 - 9:00 am Pest Biology and Bio-control Techniques in
Ornamentals, John Doe, Will review pests of
ornamentals, their lifecycles, available biological
control methods and how they work.
9:00 - 10:00 am Using Weather Modeling to Predict Insect Outbreaks,
Stormy Jamestown. Using USDA weather models to
aid in pest insect outbreak predictions, peak outbreak
cycles.
10:00 - 10:20 am Break
33. Example Agenda in Outline Form
Happy Pesticide Education Seminar Outline
Course Date: October 10, 2013
10:20 - 11:30 am Citrus Greening Identification and Management in
the Lower Valley, Joe Best explains how to survey,
identify suspect foliage, sample, manage, and how
to use the information to prevent the spread of
disease in citrus.
34. Course Submissions
Course submissions will be evaluated by TDA in
the order they are received. It is HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED to submit your course request
early.
The Texas Pesticide Regulations require
submission of course information for accreditation
approval 30 days before the scheduled CEU
program.
35. Course Submissions (cont.)
When the course has been evaluated, TDA will
respond to the sponsor by email to provide course
sign-up sheets, TDA course number, sample
certificates/template, etc.
36. What Are a Pesticide Course
Sponsor’s Responsibilities?
Sponsors must make sure:
Attendees who sign the course roster must be
present for the entire course.
Attendees who are loitering outside the
presentation room, reading newspapers, talking
on cell phones or otherwise not engaged in the
course, are not to sign the course roster or
receive a CEU certificate.
The course roster should be made available for
signing at the end of the course.
37. What Are a Pesticide Course
Sponsor’s Responsibilities? (cont.)
Sponsors must make sure (cont.):
Attendees leaving a session early should not be
allowed to sign the roster or receive a CEU
certificate with their name on it.
Each attendee must sign the course roster to
receive credit and a certificate.
No attendee should sign for any other attendee.
38. What Are a Pesticide Course
Sponsor’s Responsibilities? (cont.)
Sponsors must make sure (cont.):
Course sponsor must provide a certificate of
completion to the attendee so they may retain
them as their proof of CEU completion. The
certificate must contain at the minimum the
date of the course, the course number, the
breakdown of CEUs earned in each subject, the
name of the participant, the name of the
sponsor and signature of its representative and
a statement that the course is a TDA-approved
course.
39.
40.
41. What Are a Pesticide Course
Sponsor’s Responsibilities? (cont.)
Sponsors must make sure (cont.):
Course sponsors must return course rosters to
TDA within 15 days after course completion. It
is recommended that sponsors providing
credits for agricultural pesticide applicator
licensees to keep a copy of the roster for their
records. Sponsors providing credits for
structural pest control certified applicators must
maintain course completion records for 2 years.
42.
43.
44. What Are a Pesticide Course
Sponsor’s Responsibilities? (cont.)
Sponsors must make sure (cont.):
Email course sign up and submit course roster sheets
to: recertcourses@texasagriculture.gov
Identify the file with:
• The TDA course number issued to that particular
course (ex: 0483029) OR
• The AgriLife Extension county code number
preceded by the number 8 (ex: 8+County Code) if 3
hours or less are offered.
• Breakdown of CEU subjects and hours of each (2
laws & reg, 1 IPM, etc.)
• Date of course
45. Course Rosters Do NOT Have
to Be Alphabetized.
They may be printed or they may be
course sign-up sheets with attendee’s
printed name, signature and license
number.
46. Course Sponsors
Course sponsors who continually submit
course information late, do not monitor
attendees, or whose courses deviate
substantially from the submitted agenda
may have credits reduced and the risk of
denial of accreditation of future courses.
47. Confidential Information
Course rosters with confidential
information such as SSN, birthdates, and
drivers licenses will not be accepted.
Applicators may look up their license
number at the following website
http://www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryProg
rams/Pesticides/AgriculturalApplicators/Pestici
deAgriculturalApplicatorPublications.aspx
48. What Topics Does TDA Accredit
for Each Subject Area?
Agriculture:
• General: safety (safe practices, personal
protective equipment, spill control and
cleanup, etc.), environmental consequences
(leaching, groundwater contamination, etc.),
pest features (I.D., life cycles, potential
damage, control, etc.), pesticide factors,
equipment (pumps, nozzles, tanks, calibration,
etc.), application techniques,
biotechnology/transgenic crops (as it relates to
pest control, i.e. Roundup-ready cotton, etc.).
49. What Topics Does TDA Accredit for
Each Subject Area? (cont.)
Agriculture (cont.):
• Integrated Pest Management: concepts,
practices, strategies of IPM.
• Laws and Regulations: laws and regulations
related to the use of pesticides, labels and
label comprehension.
50. What Topics Does TDA Accredit for
Each Subject Area? (cont.)
Agriculture (cont.):
• Drift minimization: techniques, nozzle
selection, drift reduction technology (DRT),
chemicals and equipment designed to
minimize drift during pesticide applications
51. What Topics Does TDA Accredit for
Each Subject Area? (cont.)
Agriculture (cont.)
• Human factors: Aerial applicators only.
Covers the portion of aerial application that
are guided or influenced by human
characteristics. This includes decision making
that affects the safe operation of the aircraft,
the pilot, farm workers, bystanders, or those
that may be affected by the aircraft during its
pesticide application mission.
52. What Topics Does TDA Accredit
for Recertification Training?
Exceptions may be made if a compelling
case is presented as to how the specific
topic is DIRECTLY related to a pesticide
issue.
• Insurance (unless related to insurance
required by law for pesticide applications).
• Marketing techniques.
• General agronomic practices (planting depth,
harvesting techniques, aeration, etc.).
53. What Topics Does TDA Accredit
for Recertification Training?
Unacceptable Accreditation (cont.)
• Public relations (marketing strategies,
advertising, etc.).
• Sales pitches or presentations containing no
significant technical information on pesticide
products, pests, application equipment or
techniques.
• Product-specific training for UNREGISTERED
pesticide products.
54. What Topics Does TDA Accredit
for Recertification Training?
Unacceptable Accreditation Topics (cont.)
• Information that could directly result in the use of
unregistered pesticides or unlawful pest control
practices (ex: use on a site or in a manner not on the
label).
• Laws and/or regulations not relevant to a pesticide
applicator
• Vehicle maintenance
• Flight instruction
• Safety not related to pesticide application (ladders,
lifting, driving, etc.).
55. What Topics Does TDA Accredit for
Recertification Training?
In general, educational topics directly
relating to almost any aspect of pest
control, or conditions that directly affect
pest control may be considered for
accreditation. Some examples include:
• Pesticide label updates and label
comprehension.
• Pesticide health and environmental safety.
56. What Topics Does TDA Accredit for
Recertification Training?
Acceptable Accreditation Topics (cont.)
• Effects of pesticides on the environment and
environmental factors affecting pesticide use
and performance.
• Characteristics of pests, symptoms of pest
infestation and damage recognition.
• Pesticide product information, including mode
of action, environmental fate, etc. (no sales
pitches or promotions).
57. What Topics Does TDA Accredit for
Recertification Training?
Acceptable Accreditation Topics (cont.)
• Pesticide application equipment, techniques,
and calibration.
• Drift prevention and/or mitigation measures.
• Texas and Federal pesticide laws and
regulations.
• Integrated pest management principles.
• Bioengineered crops as they related to
pesticide use or pesticide incorporated
protectants.
58. What Topics Does TDA Accredit for
Recertification Training?
Acceptable Accreditation Topics (cont.)
• Plant nutrition and soil fertility, fertilizers and
amendments when linked to pesticide fate,
transport, uptake, efficacy, etc.
• Irrigation, chemigation and water quality
issues.
59. Does TDA Monitor Courses?
Courses are subject to monitoring by TDA
inspectors or other agency
representatives. Monitors must by
admitted to accredited courses without
charge. Sponsors are NOT expected to
provide meals or other services free of
charge to TDA inspectors monitoring the
course.
60. Last Chance Videos
Effective January 1, 2011 the LCVs can be used
in recertification (CEU) programs that aid in
exceeding our 3 hour CEU exemption only if the
Extension faculty member submits a "TDA
Course Approval Request" form (PA 409) to
TDA 30 days in advance of the planned activity.
Form PA-409 can be found on our website:
http://www-aes.tamu.edu/pesticide-safety-
education-resources/private-applicator-
pesticide-certification-training/
61. Can We Assist Other Organizations to Acquire
CEU Approval for Events Not Directly Sponsored
by Extension, but Whose Course Content We
Have Reviewed?
Yes, we can.
The important thing is that the program
has good content and covers the
appropriate amount of time.
62. Aerial Applicator CEUs
Effective May 4, 2008 Section 7.24 (t)(1)
was revised to require individuals
licensed as commercial or non-commercial
applicators in the “Aerial” category to
receive 1 CEU specifically addressing the
challenges associated with “Minimizing
Pesticide Drift” from aircraft (fixed wing or
rotary) and 1 CEU addressing safety
(human factors).
63. Aerial Drift and Safety CEUs
To help facilitate your customer’s needs,
AES developed a 1 hour “Aerial Application
Drift Minimization” CEU and a 1 hour
“Pesticide Safety for Aerial Application”
CEU video.
64.
65. County Recycling Programs
June 2013
San Patricio, Nueces, Refugio
Scheduled Fall 2013
Contact Richard Marburger
(800) 654-3154
66.
67.
68.
69. What is the SPCC Rule?
Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure rule.
Part of the Oil Pollution Prevention regulation (40 CFR
part 112).
• Includes requirements for Facility Response Plans
(FRPs) for certain facilities which pose a greater
threat to waterways and the environment.
Purpose: To develop plans designed to prevent oil
discharges from reaching the navigable waters of the
U.S. and adjoining shorelines
70. Examples of Oil on a Farm
Gasoline
Off-road and on-road diesel fuel
Hydraulic oil
Lubrication oil
Crop oil
Vegetable oils from crops
Adjuvant oils
Milk*
* Milk and Milk product containers are now exempt from the SPCC capacity
calculations and rule requirements
71. Key SPCC Requirements
For farms with >10,000 gallons of oil,
Plans are required to be certified by a
Professional Engineer (PE).
For farms with >1,320 up to 10,000 gallons
of oil, can opt to self-certify SPCC Plans.
• Details to follow (Qualified Facilities)
• This is optional alternative to PE certification
• Two tiers of certification
76. TDA Vector Control License
Issued only to employees of governmental
agencies:
–Non-commercial political subdivision
(NCPS): an applicator employed by a
political subdivision of the state of Texas
or of a federal agency operating in
Texas.
77. Vector Category Pesticide
Applicators
Licensed non-commercial political
subdivision applicators
Aerial applicators
Unlicensed employees
– An unlicensed employee is an individual who acts
under the direct supervision of a TDA licensed
pesticide applicator in the vector control category.
78. Individuals licensed with the SPCS as
commercial or non-commercial applicators
holding a certification in Pest control can
also conduct Vector control activities.
80. TPDES - Discharges Eligible for
Authorization
1. Mosquito control
2. Vegetation and Algae Control – in waters of
U.S. and at water’s edge
3. Nuisance Animal Control – fish, lamprey,
eels…
4. Area-Wide Pest Control – aerial and ground
application for boll weevil control, ROW,
infrastructure, urban landscaping, orchard
pests, or fruit flies
5. Forest Canopy Pest Control
81.
82.
83.
84.
85. Structural Applicator
Requirements
Individuals who offer pest control services for
hire or as a part of their jobs around businesses,
homes, schools, daycare centers, hospitals,
parks & recreational settings and structures are
required to license with the SPCS.
Commercial applicator businesses must provide
a policy of insurance not less than $200,000
bodily injury and property damage with a
minimum total aggregate of $300,000 for all
occurrences.
86. Commercial Licenses
A commercial Certified Applicator license
is required to: inspect, identify or apply
General Use pesticides, Restricted Use
pesticides, and use pesticidal devices.
87. Commercial Licenses
To sit for this examination, the applicant
must have a 2-year or 4-year degree from
an accredited college or university in the
biological sciences
OR
88. Commercial Licenses
Have verifiable employment in the pest
control industry in Texas under the
supervision of a licensed certified
applicator (CA) for at least 12 months out
of the past 24 months and must have
possessed a technician license for at least
6 months
OR
89. Commercial Licenses
Be an applicant with technical field
experience from a previous occupation
(Contact SPCS)
OR
Be an applicant who qualifies under the
hardship clause (Contact SPCS).
90. Non-Commercial Applicator
Requirements
To obtain this license, individuals must be
an applicant with a 2-year or 4-year
degree from an accredited college or
university in the biological sciences
OR
91. Non-Commercial Applicator
Requirements
Have verifiable employment experience in
the pest control industry including OUT-
OF-STATE experience in pest control of at
least 12 months out of the past 24 months
from a previous occupation.
92. Non-Commercial Applicator
Requirements
The proof of experience must be a
notarized statement or a letter from the
appropriate licensing entity
OR
Complete a SPCS approved minimum
6 hour certified non-commercial technician
training course
OR
93. Non-Commercial Applicator
Requirements
Have verifiable employment in the pest
control industry in Texas under the
supervision of a licensed certified
applicator for at least 12 months out of the
past 24 months and must have possessed
a technician license for at least 6 months.
96. Technician Licenses
Requirements
A technician must work under the
supervision of a commercial or non-
commercial certified applicator (CA).
They may use pesticides and pesticidal
devices and identify pests.
97. Technician Licenses
Requirements
Persons who do not meet the requirements to
become a certified applicator (CA) must go
through an apprenticeship. To become a
Technician, individuals have 1 year to complete
an apprentice training program.
During that time they must receive 20 hours of
classroom training in ten different subject matter
areas (federal & state pesticide laws, pest & pest
damage recognition, pesticide labels, pesticide
safety, environmental protection, etc.) AND
They must receive 40 hours of training in each
category in which they conduct pest control
activities, AND
99. Technician Licenses
Requirements
They must complete an approved
technician course
AND
They must pass a category examination
(consisting of questions from the general
manual and a category manual.)
102. Online 8-hour SPCS Courses
eXtension: MOODLE (Modular Object Oriented
Dynamic Learning Environment) 8-hour online
courses:
– Pest Category (online)
– Lawn & Ornamental (online)
– Termite Category (online)
These 8-hour courses are also designed to satisfy the
SPCS training requirement (Sec. 593.2) h(2) for "8
hours of classroom training in each category in which
the apprentice is to provide pest control services."
Available through AES website or Conference Services
103. SPCS CEU Requirements
Each certified commercial or non-
commercial applicator will obtain a
minimum of 3 CEUs (2 CEUs must be in
either Laws & Regulations, IPM, pesticide
safety, or environmental protection)
AND
104. SPCS CEU Requirements
1 CEU per category in which the
commercial or non-commercial applicator
is licensed.
NO more than 1 CEU per year may be
obtained by self study or electronic
courses.
105. SPCS CEU Requirements
Certified Applicators
Certified Applicators (CA) must now
receive their CEUs during the preceding
calendar year (from January to December)
as a condition of license renewal.*
Changing employers or moving to an
inactive status does not alleviate or add
time to satisfy the CEU requirement.
106. SPCS CEU Requirements
Technicians
Technicians are required to receive 8
hours of technical training during the
preceding 12 months of their license
renewal date.
Likewise, any license issued during a
calendar year will be exempt from the 8
hour training requirement until the renewal
period for the next year.
109. School IPM
Private Applicators are not allowed to make
applications at a school.
Applicators under School IPM must be licensed
as Non-Commercial or Commercial Applicators
or technicians under the supervision of a
commercial or non-commercial applicator.
Applicators doing work outside the building can
license with TDA or SPCS.
Applicators doing work inside the building can
only license with SPCS.
110. SB 768 allows:
– Use of raptor to control or relocate other birds
– Physical removal of pests or the habitat of
pests while cleaning a chimney
– Use of a live trap to remove an animal from
the premises of a residence, agricultural
operation, or business structure
113. Contact Us at the PSEP Office
Main office – 979-845-3849
Publication orders – 979-845-1099
Don Renchie – 979-845-3849
Mark Matocha – 979-845-3849
114. Agricultural & Environmental Safety
< http://www-aes.tamu.edu/ >
Emergency Response and Planning
Order Forms
Training Classes
115. Survey Questions
For PSEP Activities
To comply with EPA and USDA reporting
requirements, and to gather more quantifiable
data for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Administration, please incorporate these
questions into the evaluation instrument you
use at your PSEP activities.
116. Licensed Applicators – Pesticide Safety
Education Program (PSEP) Participant Survey
1. Did you gain knowledge relating to pesticide
safety and use as a result of this certification
and/or recertification training? ___Yes ___No
2. Do you plan to adopt at least one practice
relating to pesticide safety and use as a result
of this certification and/or recertification
training? ___Yes ___No
3. Have you actually adopted at least one
practice relating to pesticide and safety use as
a result of this or previous certification and/or
recertification training? ___Yes ___No
117. Master Gardener Participant Survey
1. Did you gain knowledge as a result of pesticide
safety education training even though the training
was neither for pesticide applicator certification
and/or recertification training? ___Yes ___No
2. Do you plan to adopt at least one practice as a
result of pesticide safety education training even
though the training was neither for pesticide
applicator certification and/or recertification training?
___Yes ___No
3. Did you actually adopt at least one practice as a
result of pesticide safety education training in the
past even though the training was neither for
pesticide applicator certification and/or
recertification training? ___Yes ___No
118. Summary
PSEP is one of the highest visibility
programs we conduct.
Make every effort to provide timely and
relevant activities.
These programs create and sustain
businesses and agricultural enterprises
statewide.
Notas do Editor
CEA use only.
To give to customers
Need number here#
Supplemental information:Milk spills must be immediately reported to the National Response Center (NRC) at 800-424-8802 or 1-202-426-2675. Because milk contains oil, the owner or operator of milk facility may be liable to clean up a spill and/or pay penalties issued under the authority of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act)