Precautions with Pesticides:
Certification and Training Requirements

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Pesticide Certification for Ontario Farmers
3. Training for Agricultural Assistants Using Schedule 2 or 5 Pesticides
4. Certification and Licensing for Commercial Pesticide Exterminators
5. Training for Technicians Working as Assistants to Licensed Exterminators
6. Other topics on Precautions with Pesticides
   • Pesticide Regulations
   • Certification and Training Requirements
   • General Precautions
   • Read and Follow Pesticide Label Information
   • Human Health
   • Protective Clothing and Equipment
   • Protect the Environment
   • Disposal of Pesticides and Empty Pesticide Containers
   • Storing Pesticides
   • Pesticide Spills
   • Application Procedures
   • Precautions with Pesticide Tables
     • Pesticide Schedules in Ontario (Pesticide Regulations)
     • Safety Supply Companies in Ontario Providing Protective Clothing & Equipment (Table 1-1)
     • Pesticides Act Storage Requirements (Table 1-2)
7. Related Links

Introduction

You must be a certified grower or licensed applicator to buy and use Schedule 1, 2 and 5 pesticides. Assistants may also use Schedule 2 and 5 pesticides if they are trained and supervised as required.

Pesticide Certification for Ontario Farmers

Regulation 914 of the Pesticides Act requires that agriculturalists (growers) be certified to buy and use Schedules 1, 2 or 5 pesticides on land they farm. To become certified, agriculturalists must:

• Attend the Grower Pesticide Safety Course (GPSC) and successfully complete the examination. and
• Meet the definition of an "agriculturalists" as defined by Regulation 914 under the Pesticides Act, (i.e. use farm land for agricultural or forestry production, and that land falls within the farmlands property class under Section 7 of the Ontario Assessment Act). and
• Be at least 16 years of age.

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Training for Agricultural Assistants Using Schedule 2 or 5 Pesticides

All assistants must have formal pesticide safety training, recognized by the Ministry of the Environment, before they can handle or use Schedule 2 or 5 pesticides under the supervision of a certified grower.

• This applies to all assistants, including family members, farm employees and seasonal workers.
• Trained assistants do not have to write an exam.
• Trained assistants must be 16 years of age or older.
• There are two training options for assistants. Assistants can:
  • attend a Grower Pesticide Safety Course and not write the certification examination, or
  • attend an on-farm training session presented by a qualified trained assistant instructor.
• To register for a Grower Pesticide Safety Courseanywhere in Ontario, or for more information on training and certification requirements:
  • call: 1-800-652-8573
  • fax: 1-519-674-1589
  • e-mail: opep@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca or
  • visit the Ontario pesticide Education program web site at: www.ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca/opep/

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Certification and Licensing for Commercial Pesticide Exterminators

If you plan to apply pesticides as a business, you must be a licensed exterminator.

This includes farmers who custom-apply pesticides for other farmers and charge a fee for this service. Licensed exterminators who are self-employed must hold an operator licence as well as the appropriate exterminator licence. Exterminator licences are valid for 5 years.

To become a licensed exterminator, you must:

• complete a home study course and certification exam through Ridgetown College, University of Guelph,
  and
• send proof of certification (letter of successful completion of the exam(s)) and a fee to the Ministry of the Environment to obtain your exterminator licence

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Training for Technicians Working as Assistants to Licensed Exterminators

Assistants to licensed exterminators must become technicians to mix, load or apply all Schedule 3, 4 and 6 pesticides and most Schedule 2 pesticides (some restrictions apply), under the indirect supervision of a licensed exterminator. Technicians cannot mix, load or apply Schedule 1 or 5 pesticides. Technician cards are valid for two years.

To become a technician, you must:

• complete an MOE-approved academic course and exam,
  and
• complete practical training with a licensed exterminator.

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Related Links

• Publication 75, Guide to Weed Control
• Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide
• PMRA website

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