PESTICIDE LICENSE

TimWafer · Jan 13, 2010

Can anyone tell me what’s involved in obtaining a “Private Pesticide License” in New York State? All I really use is generic Roundup, which I can buy without a license. However I found it cheaper online, but they require a license # to ship it. I want to weigh the cost and hassle of getting a license compared to the cost savings of buying it online.

Mathias NY · Jan 13, 2010

I'm not certified, so I can't comment on the exact requirements, but it's probably not worth the effort. There are classes to take, an exam, and a requirement for annual training credits to maintain your certification.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

Contact your local extension office or a local supplier or restricted pesticides they will know your state requirements. In Ohio you can purchase the study materials and the schedule to take your test once you past the test, you pay for your license ($35) every three year you must renew your license by setting through a review of of changes and safety practices.

Jon Hagen · Jan 13, 2010

I don't understand their requirement for a license number unless your buying a restricted use pesticide ?
Many buy through online outfits like XSAG and like the service.

John - OH · Jan 13, 2010

If all you are using is roundup, I don't believe it would be worth the hassle to save a few bucks. That is unless you are using LOTS of roundup, and in that case you probably should have license anyway. In Ohio you have to pass the core section and any other classification for the applying you want to do. License needs to be renewed every year, recertification credits need to abtained over 3 years (determined by your classifications). Then there is record keeping, what you applied, how much, where, all that good stuff. And if that isn't bad enough, be prepared for the suprise inspections from the Dept. of Ag, and you better have everything they want to see. I have been a Licensed Pesticide Applicator for 15 years.

phillip d · Jan 13, 2010

They've required them here in PEI Canada for almost 15 years now,pain in the a.They charge us 85 dollars to write the "open book" any idiot that can read and use an index can pass and you're good for 5 years.

Zachary Hoyt · Jan 13, 2010

I always thought that roundup was an herbicide, but does the same
license cover both?
Zach

rrlund · Jan 13, 2010

Like has been eluded to,there's a manual that you get from the Extension Office. In Michigan it's $50 for the permit. Don't know about New York. The book is thick and for a private applicator,you have to know the whole book. You can renew with credits here for sitting in meetings,if you know when and where the meetings are. A lot of the time,there is a charge for attending the meetings and they aren't always close to home,so recertification by test is the way to go. If I was only buying Roundup,there's NO WAY I'd go through all of the BS. Can't imagine that you're going to save enough to justify the hassle. If it IS that much cheaper,I'd seriously question the quality of the product. Shop around closer to home.

kyplowboy · Jan 13, 2010

Not say'n I would do it, but I have heard about folks find'n a deal like that and they pay a neigbor $20 to have it shiped to their house.

Dave

TimWafer · Jan 13, 2010

(quoted from post at 21:21:48 01/13/10) I don't understand their requirement for a license number unless your buying a restricted use pesticide ?
Many buy through online outfits like XSAG and like the service.

Exactly who I was dealing with.
Here is a quote form them.

"Due to your state having more strict regulations, we have taken the approach that buyers of any chemical require a license regardless of whether the product is restricted or not."

JayinNY · Jan 13, 2010

I dont know how your useing it, commercially or for your self but it is a pain in the $ss to get it and then keep it. You have to recertify every 2or 3 years I think it is, you may have to go to pesticide credit classes, you have to notify people around you were your spraying it, ie in lawn care if you treat with pesticide, insecticide, a persons lawn you must notify the neighbors, and I think you have to keep a record of what you applied, how much and were. I dont think its worth it, unless your useing several thousand dollars worth of round-up. If your useing it in veggies you grow for sale, you do need the license... Try a NYSTATE, or DEC website.

JayinNY · Jan 13, 2010

Yes round-up is a herbicde, But you must a license to use it commercially in NY, you ever see guys with a purple triangle sticker on there truck? That means the are licensed to use herbicide, insecticides, fungicides, ect.. Joe homeowner can go to Lowes but it and use it on his own lawn, but not a commercial business,. However if the homeowner provides you with it, than you can apply it for them. But legally you cannot go buy it and charge them to apply it. Big fines if you get caught.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

Herbicides ARE pesticides. Anything intended to treat for plant or animal control is considered a pesticide.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

Maybe I've overlooked it, but I haven't noticed anyone commenting on the fact that you'll also need insurance specific to the use of pesticides in order to gain certification. It's not cheap.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

My brother has his up here. If New York is anything like Alberta, it's not easy to get. My brother had to take the test twice to pass. You have to score very highly to pass, something like 90% I believe. My brother took 2 years in turfgrasss management at college and has worked for golf courses and municipalities for years. The place selling it online is only selling only to commercial users. Lots of other chemicals are sold this way as well. Their's could be a stronger concentration as well. Dave

paul · Jan 13, 2010

Here in MN there are 4 different levels of licence, the private farm applicator licene is pretty simple to get, the workshop every 3 years is a nice refresher of what to do not really a bad thing.

You only need the licence for restricted use pesticides here, but as you say, some resellers strongly want you to have a licence for any of the herbicides.

The 2 types of commercial licence are much more $$$ and hassle to get, lot more required.

Be careful of the advice you get here, mine doesn't apply to your state, but some might not be talking about the licence you need either....

--->Paul

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

I currently hold a "private applicators" permit down here in Maryland. Had it for a long time. Easy to get back then. Have to re-certify every 3 years. Problem I see is anyone can buy and use roundup. Difference is, if you are certified, you are required by law to maintain any application records concerning any application of roundup. Even if you are only spraying the cracks in your sidewalk. If your not certified, spray away! Personally, I wouldn"t bother.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

The test isn't that tough, but you will need to buy or borrow the instruction manual and read it before taking the test. In Illinois they also offer a work book and I bought but never used it. In Illinois they offer a class before the test to review the subject matter. It is OK and if NY has a similar deal it does give you an idea what at least some of the test questions will be. On the Illinois test there are always a couple of trick questions and to achieve 100% you will need to have read the instruction book pretty close. At least some of the older less educated farmers have problems passing the exam, but they probably didn't shine in HS either and in a few cases didn't even attend. I let my license expire and still can buy the few restricted chemicals needed to maintain the farmstead. However I hire out the crop spraying. Might need to renew the license if I started spraying the crops. For a few gallons of generic RU I would have a friend that has a license buy it and ship it to his address.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

Hey James2222 who made you the judge of older people??? They still know a h--- of a lot more than you do just from experience...

Jon Hagen · Jan 13, 2010

Now thats a sad aditude on the part of your state regulators and XSAG.

Sorry to hear it has come to that.

cmd1042 · Jan 13, 2010

In Pa I went to a class alot of years ago maybe 20 yrs ago when the licence was introduced took a test and since then have to attend a meeting onec a year to get 2 core and 2 cat points need 6 points every 3 yrs for AG applicaters comercial aplicaters is alot more involved but not a big deal here the farm insurance policy covers the application until you are suied like all others.

IaGary · Jan 13, 2010

For a private licence here in Iowa your regular farm liability will cover.

If you spray for others for hire, now that's a different story.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

Same in Kentucky.

mazemeister · Jan 13, 2010

i just got my NY pesticide license last year. there were several requirements. one was to have experience- i believe 2 years- working under the supervision of a certified applicator. if you don't have that, i believe there is a course you can take instead. not sure. then, get the books, study, and pass 2 tests- one "core" that everyone takes, and a "category"- in my case, vegetables. one test is open book, the other closed, i forget which. but neither is very difficult if you read the book and know what you're doing. you should be able to look up all the details on the NY state dept of environmental conservation website (google nys dec)

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

Private applicator's license isn't as hard to get as commercial. Contact your extension service, or state department of agriculture, they can give you the rules.

Rollie NE PA · Jan 13, 2010

I took the( private applicator) test last spring. In PA it is an open book test. I think there were 100 questions. It is a time limit test and it took me all the time that was allowed.

The test cost $10.00 and the study book was free. Recertification every three years. You can obtain points online.

The (commercial applicator) test is closed book and I think there are 75 questions. Not sure of the cost.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

I just turned 59 so although not real old, certainly not a youngster any more either. Furthermore I don't discredit their ability to operate a sprayer, in the contary I'm sure many can do a better job than me because of more experience. They just aren't very good in absorbing "book learning" and/or taking a test.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2010

Try contrary

PESTICIDE LICENSE

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads