Prescribed Materials Application Business Licence

We are updating this page to reflect current regulations.

Information on this page about regulations under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and the Environmental Protection Act is out of date. On September 18, 2009 new regulations affecting those applying non-agricultural source materials on agricultural lands were filed. Please visit www.ontario.ca/nasm-omafra for more information.

The information contained in this document is derived from the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and O. Reg 267/03 as amended. Every effort has been made to make it as accurate as possible, but it is not authoritative. Please refer to www.e-laws.gov.on.ca or the official volumes printed by Publications Ontario for the authoritative text of the act.

Introduction

Individuals or businesses engaged in the business of applying prescribed materials¹ to land for a phased-in operation² for the purpose of growing agricultural crops on or after December 31, 2005, that requires a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP), can only do so with a valid Prescribed Materials Application Business (PMAB) Licence. Licences can be issued to an individual or to a company under the name of a designated person.

Steps to Receiving and Maintaining a Prescribed Materials Application Business Licence

Meet Licence Requirements

Participate in the Course

The required course for this licence is titled the "Land Application Business Owner's Licence Course." This two-day course helps participants develop a familiarity with the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (NMA), O. Reg. 267/03 and associated Protocols and examines how the NMA directly affects land application businesses. Course schedule and fee information is available online at www.omafra.gov.on.ca, by clicking on "Agriculture," then "Nutrient Management Information," and "Certification and Training," or by calling the Nutrient Management Toll-Free Information Line at 1-866-242-4460.

Note: As day one of the Land Application Business Owner's Licence Course is the same as the Broker's Certification Course, completion of this course qualifies participants to write exams for both the Broker Certificate and the Prescribed Materials Application Business Licence.

Pass the Exam

Writing and achieving a passing grade on a comprehensive exam is required within 12 months of completing the course, and prior to applying for the licence. This exam covers materials taught in the course and outlined in the Prescribed Materials Application Business Licence competencies. Check the Certification and Training portion of the website for more complete details and announcements regarding scheduled exams.

Note: Candidates will have three (3) attempts to successfully pass the exam. After three attempts, candidates must re-take the course before they will be given another opportunity to write the exam.

Apply for a Licence

Applications for the Prescribed Materials Application Business Licence are available on the Certification and Training portion of the website. Print the application and mail the completed form to the address indicated.

Note: Information on the date and location of the course attended is requested on the Licence application.

Follow Guidelines for Maintaining Licence

Stay Current in Your Field

Licence holders are expected to keep up to date with the nutrient management legislation and actively pursue additional learning opportunities to remain competent in the field of nutrient management. This may include update sessions offered by OMAFRA.

Performance Guidelines

A set of Performance Guidelines have been developed by OMAFRA and will be introduced in the training course. Land application business owners and their staff are encouraged to follow these guidelines in their daily practice.

Endnotes:

¹ Under O. Reg. 267/03, as amended, a "prescribed material" means an agricultural source material or a non-agricultural source material.

An "agricultural source material" means any of the following treated or untreated materials, other than a commercial fertilizer or compost that meets the guidelines entitled Interim Guidelines for the Production and Use of Aerobic Compost in Ontario prepared by the Ministry of the Environment and dated November 2004, if they are capable of being applied to land as nutrients:

1. Manure produced by farm animals, including associated bedding materials.
2. Runoff from farm-animal yards and manure storages.
3. Washwaters from agricultural operations that have not been mixed with human waste.
4. Organic materials produced by intermediate operations that process materials described in paragraph 1, 2 or 3.

A "non-agricultural source material" means any of the following materials, other than a commercial fertilizer or compost that meets the guidelines entitled Interim Guidelines for the Production and Use of Aerobic Compost in Ontario prepared by the Ministry of the Environment and dated November 2004, if the materials are intended to be applied to land as nutrients:

1. Pulp and paper biosolids.
2. Sewage biosolids.
3. Any other material that is not from an agricultural source that is capable of being applied to land as a nutrient.

² "Phased-in operations" are those operations that are subject to, or will become subject to, O. Reg. 267/03, as amended, as outlined in Part II, Sections 11 and 12. For further details, please refer to the Regulation, which can be found at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca.