Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (Certification Website)
People applying certain pesticides on farms and ranches in BC must have a valid pesticide applicator certificate. The BC Ministry Environment issues pesticide applicator certificates, dispenser certificates and licenses for pest control companies and pesticide sales outlets. Worker’s Compensation Board may also require pesticide applicators on farms/ranches to have a pesticide applicator certificate from Environment. Occasionally pesticide labels state that a product can only be used by a certified pesticide applicator.
Who needs to be certified?
Is a certificate needed to purchase or to use pesticides?
Do my employees need to be certified?
How do I get certified?
What category of pesticide applicator certificate do I need?
How much does it cost to become certified?
Do I have to take a course to become certified?
Can I use my old study materials?
Where can I sign up for a pesticide applicator course?
Sometimes colleges and farm agencies/associations teach pesticide applicator courses. Contact nearby colleges, Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association (FARSHA), or your grower association to see if they are offering any courses. Also check the news page for courses being offered. Colleges and agencies that have taught pesticide applicator courses in the past are:
Colleges and Agencies | Location | Web address or phone number |
Camosun College | Victoria | camosun.ca |
Capilano College | North Vancouver | www.capcollege.bc.ca |
College of New Caledonia | Prince George | www.cnc.bc.ca |
College of the Rockies | Kootenays | www.cotr.bc.ca |
Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association | Throughout BC | www.farsha.bc.ca |
Kwantlen Polytechnic University | Langley | www.kpu.ca/hort |
Malaspina College | Nanaimo | www.mala.ca |
Okanagan College | Okanagan Valley | www.okanagan.bc.ca |
Pacific Horticultural College | Victoria | www.hcp.bc.ca/collegepacifichortcollege.php |
Selkirk College | Kootenays | selkirk.ca |
Thompson Rivers University | Kamloops | www.tru.ca |
University College of the Fraser Valley | Chilliwack | www.ucfv.ca |
How often must an applicator be recertified?
Since a certificate is valid for one or five years, applicators must be recertified every one or five years. The number of years a certificate is valid depends on the mark on the exam. A one year certificate is issued when the exam mark is between 60% and 74%. A five year certificate is issued when the exam mark is 75% or greater. A certificate will not be issued if the exam mark is less than 60%.
Can I become recertified without writing and exam?
Yes, in some areas in BC applicators can become recertified by collecting continuing education credits. This is only allowed after an applicator has received a 5 year certificate by writing the exam.
How do I become recertified by collecting continuing education credits?
An applicator must obtain 20 continuing education credits over five years to become recertified. The applicator must first contact one of the following organizations and sign up for their credit recertification program.
Organization | Contact | Phone or E-mail |
BC Fruit Growers Association | Glen Lucas | 250 762-5226 |
Interior Environmental Pest Management Association | Dudley Gordon | 250 493-2767 |
Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association | Sandy Gordon | 604 857-0318 |
BC Structural Pest Management Association | Melanie Johnston | info@SPMA.com |
BC Landscape and Nursery Trades Association and Western Canada Turfgrass Association | Bob Wick | 604 467-2564 |
Do people selling pesticides need to be certified?
Yes, businesses selling agricultural pesticides must have a Vendor License and their staff must have Pesticide dispenser certificates.
If a farmer hires a company to apply pesticides to their crops, are there any requirements for the company?
All custom applicators must have a valid Pest Control Service License issued by the BC Ministry of Environment. The people applying the pesticides for pest control companies must have a valid pesticide applicator certificate.
November 2-5, 2021
PestWorld 2021
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