Certification; examination.

(1) The department may independently, or through the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, develop a certification program, including an optional training session of at least 4 hours, designed to ensure the competency of those persons to whom the department issues licenses. A standard core examination shall be developed which shall be administered to all applicants for licensure.

(2) The department shall require each applicant for a certified applicator’s license to demonstrate competence by a written or oral examination in which the applicant must demonstrate adequate knowledge concerning the proper use and application of restricted-use pesticides in each classification for which application for license is made. The department shall provide in-person and remote testing through a third-party vendor. A third-party vendor may collect and retain a convenience fee. The examination may be prepared, administered, and evaluated by the department. Each applicant for a certified applicator’s license must demonstrate minimum competence as to:

(a) The proper use of the equipment.

(b) The environmental hazards that may be involved in applying restricted-use pesticides.

(c) Calculating the concentration of restricted-use pesticides to be used in particular circumstances.

(d) Identification of common pests to be controlled and the damages caused by such pests.

(e) Protective clothing and respiratory equipment required during the handling and application of restricted-use pesticides.

(f) General precautions to be followed in the disposal of containers, as well as the cleaning and decontamination of the equipment which the applicant proposes to use.

(g) Applicable state and federal pesticide laws, rules, and regulations.

(h) General safety precautions.