The Alabama Cooperative Extension System pesticide safety education team has compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about the Alabama Commercial Applicator Program, points, testing, what to do, contact information, and more. If you do not find an answer to your question, call the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) for commercial applicator permit questions at 334-240-7243.
There are more than 20 categories.
You can read general information about the commercial applicator permits on the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu/blog/category/farming/pesticides/. If you are still unsure what permit you need, contact the ADAI at 334-240-7243 or www.agi.alabama.gov/directory/ to ensure you prepare for the right category.
A commercial applicator is a permitted applicator who uses, or supervises the use, of restricted-use pesticides and other pesticides for any purpose on any property. Also, a commercial applicator receives compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities. Commercial applicators shall be further identified according to the type of pesticide application they are engaged in.
Ground or aerial application is required as part of some commercial pesticide categories. These are not a stand-alone permits. If you are looking for more information regarding permits that require aerial or ground testing, see the following specific commercial categories:
You will find these categories require you to select a mode of application test (aerial or ground equipment). Relevant study material for this testing is incorporated into those category study manuals. You will be required to get a certificate of insurance for aerial or ground mode of application.
Those passing examinations as branch supervisors (FB) can supervise branch offices only. You must pass the examination for certified operator to enter into business for yourself or to supervise services from a main office.
Testing for this permit can be completed at the ADAI in Montgomery. There is also a computer-based testing format that is available on a weekly basis at eight testing sites across Alabama. The cost for the online exam is $125 per exam. To sign up for the online exam, visit apply.adaitesting.com. Once approved, you will receive an approval email from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
The Fumigation Pest Control Certified Operator Exam (FC), is not available at the online testing sites. For more information contact the ADAI at 334-240-7243.
No, there is only computer-based testing for commercial applicators available at one of eight testing centers: Athens, Auburn, Birmingham, Hanceville, Headland, Millbrook, Mobile, and Pelham.
Once the appropriate exams have been passed, you must apply for certification through the ADAI. If an applicator plans to start a business in Alabama, a permit will also be required (professional services-main for structural categories, professional services-horticulture for OTPS, and custom permit for custom categories).
At this time, there is not option to renew online. You can renew only during your expiration month, and you must have a minimum of 30 points. If you took the recertification exam, you must mail in the appropriate application and payment.
The ADAI has a few approved online recertification courses. Visit www.usaplants.tnatc.org/al/PesticideApplicator/MeetingSearch.aspx and go to the document that details the rules and gives you the list. You can to see which online source is approved for the categories you need. Note: A log in is not required at this site.
Visit www.usaplants.tnatc.org/al/PesticideApplicator/ApplicationExternalSearch.aspx and enter your search criteria to see how many points you have. Note: A log in is not required at this site.
You must complete the application for the Reciprocal Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification.
Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
For applicators that currently hold certification in a category but have not attained the required amount of points to have it renewed, the permit cannot be expired for more than one year in order to qualify for the recertification exam. After one year, you will have to train and test for the commercial applicator permit category again.
No, you do not need to worry about getting 30 points for all seven categories. You simply need to ensure that when you take a recertification training, it is in one of the categories you hold in order for those points to count. If you take a class in a category you do not hold, the points will not be applied to your recertification points.
Your General Standards study material is included in your manual for study purposes. When you purchase your category specific manual, the information is in the book.
