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New Requirements for Certification and Training Requirements to Become a Certified Applicator (803-32) • Must be at least eighteen (18) years old • Attend at least two Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR)-approved training courses AND pass the examinations • Pay an eighty-dollar ($80) fee for a Certified Pesticide Applicator Certification and ID card (Effective October 1, 2024) Financial Responsibility (803-32 e) • Commercial Applicators who are applying for certification must provide proof that the Pesticide Business which they own or are employed by carries commercial general liability insurance on a “per occurrence” basis with a minimum limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for any one (1) person per occurrence for death or personal injury and one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for any one (1) occurrence for property damage o The insurance policy shall name the Government of the Virgin Islands as the certificate holder o A surety bond of comparable value, issued by a company licensed to do business in the U.S. Virgin Islands and in a form acceptable to the DPNR, as proof of financial responsibility may also be used in lieu of an insurance policy Examination Requirements (803-33) • In order to receive a Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification two exams must be passed with a score of at least seventy percent (70%) o The Core Exam ▪ Retake requirements- 30 days, 90 days, and one year after previous failure o The Category Exam (must be taken for each category you wish to possess) ▪ Retake requirements- 30 days, 90 days, and 120 days after previous failure • The applicant will be required to retake their core examination if: o The applicant fails to pass a category examination within 12 months of passing their core examination. o The applicant fails their category exam three consecutive times: or o The applicant fails to submit a complete certification application, including registration fees, photos, letter of employment, liability of insurance, etc. within three months of receiving a notification that they have passed requirements for certification. Initial Certification (803-34) • Once training courses are taken and the exams are passed, the applicant will receive notice that they may submit their application, including the DPNR approved form, additional documentation, and fees. • Once a complete application is received and verified, the DPNR will certify the applicator and issue a certification card to the newly Certified Applicator. • Certification card is valid for four years. • The Certification card may be revoked, suspended, or otherwise modified by the DPNR • The Certified Applicator may be certified in additional categories while the card is valid. The applicator must pass the required exam for the category they wish to be certified in and pay a fee ($5.00). Certification in additional categories does not change the expiry date on the card. Certification Renewal (803-35) • Register for a refresher course and pass a core and a category recertification examination OR earn 7 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) covering core and category competencies through attending approved courses, seminars, workshops, and/or meetings. • In order to renew an Applicator certification and ID card, you must: o Submit a completed commercial applicator recertification form and any accompanying documents including: ▪ A letter confirming the training requirement has been satisfied ▪ Two passport sized photos ▪ A letter verifying employment ▪ Proof of liability insurance, if required ▪ Pay the certification fee of $80 • If a commercial or private applicator's Certification and ID card has been expired for less than or equal to 120 days, they must: ▪ Submit an application for renewal ▪ Pay the certification fees ▪ (Commercial Applicators only) Meet the financial responsibility requirement, and either: ▪ Demonstrate that all of the required CECs were met within 90 days of expiration of the certification: OR ▪ Retake and pass the required exams for recertification If a commercial or private applicator fails to apply for renewal of their Certification and ID card after the 120 days of its expiration date, they must retake the core and category exams as required for initial certification and training. Additional Core Competency Standards for Commercial Applicators (803-41) • Responsibilities of supervisors of Pesticide Technicians • Professionalism o Maintain chemical security for restricted use pesticides o Communicate information about pesticide exposures and risks with their clientele and the public o Promote appropriate product stewardship for Commercial Applicators Category Additions (803-42) • Aquatic Pest Control o Only required for use of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) for antifouling paints and swimming pool treatments • Non-Soil Fumigants o Required for commercial applicators who will use a pesticide to fumigate anything other than soil Additional Core Competency Standards for Private Applicators (803-43) • Stewardship o Maintain chemical security for restricted use pesticides; and o Communicate information about pesticide exposures and risks with agricultural workers and handlers and other persons. Pesticide Technicians (803-51 and 803-52) • Pesticide Technician annual training, recordkeeping, and certified applicator supervision are - new requirements, please see additional Pesticide Technician Outreach Materials Pesticide Business and Pesticide Agency Recordkeeping (803-81) • Additional recordkeeping requirements for Commercial Applicators, RUP Dealers, and Technicians have been added, please see Recordkeeping Document