Certification and Training Requirements

• Pesticide applicators who apply RUPs, which include certified private and commercial applicators. 
• Pesticide dealers who sell RUPs. 
• Pesticide applicators who recertify by earning recertification seminar credits.
• Noncertified pesticide applicators using RUPs for a private agricultural purpose being directly supervised by a certified applicator.

The below requirements will be affected when legislative changes are implemented.

• Private applicators must be at least 18 years old.
• Additional recordkeeping requirements following RUP applications for commercial applicators.
• The aerial category replacing the aerial standard.
• Soil fumigation and non-soil fumigation categories replacing the fumigation standard.
• Noncertified applicators applying RUPs for a private agricultural purpose:
  • Must be at least 18 years old (16 with a family exemption).
  • Must be trained as a handler under the Worker Protection Standard or undergo noncertified applicator training outlined in 40 CFR 171.201(d)(1).
  • Meet other requirements outlined in 40 CFR 171.201(b)(3).
• Additional recordkeeping requirements for RUP Dealers following RUP sales.
• Certification credentials won’t be issued until any administrative fines have been paid.
• Persons found to have cheated on a certification exam or recertification seminars may be subject to enforcement action.
• Exam standards concerning security at testing locations and administration requirements will be strengthened.
• Identification verification before taking a certification exam or attending a recertification seminar.
• Certification study manuals and exams will be revised.

Implementation timelines are outlined on Michigan’s C & T Plan, which can be viewed on the Certification Plan and Reporting Database.

To implement new C & T requirements, MDARD will revise Act 451, Part 83, Pesticide Control. For information on how a bill becomes a law, view How a Bill Becomes a Law. Regulation 633, Restricted Use Pesticides; and Regulation 636, Pesticide Applicators will also be revised to comply with new C & T requirements. For additional information on how administrative rulemaking happens, visit the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs webpage.

Public comment periods will be offered as MDARD implements C & T law, regulation, and policy enhancements. Sign up for email updates from MDARD to participate and stay informed.

MDARD is utilizing public comment periods to receive feedback on laws, regulations, policies, and other revisions. Comment periods will last for 30 days. Comments must be submitted to MDARD in writing. Comments must be received on or before the comment period end date to be considered by MDARD.

There are currently no open comment periods.