LICENSE REQUIRED.

(a) Except as provided by Section 76.003(e), a person may not purchase or use a restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticide or regulated herbicide unless the person is:

(1) licensed as a commercial applicator, noncommercial applicator, or private applicator and authorized by the license to purchase or use the restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticide or regulated herbicide in the license use categories covering the proposed pesticide use;

(2) an individual acting under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator, except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section and by Sections 76.003(e) and 76.116(f); or

(3) a certified private applicator as defined in Section 76.112(j) of this code.

(b) An individual is under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator if the individual is acting under the instructions and control of a licensed applicator who is responsible for the actions of the individual and who is available if and when needed. A licensed applicator may not supervise an applicator whose license or certificate is under suspension or revocation. The licensed applicator is not required to be physically present at the time and place of the pesticide application unless the label of the applied pesticide states that the presence of the licensed applicator is required.

(c) A licensed applicator is responsible for assuring that the person working under the licensee's direct supervision is knowledgeable of the label requirements and rules and regulations governing the use of pesticides. A licensed applicator satisfies the requirements of this subsection if the person working under the licensee's direct supervision has been trained as a handler under the federal worker protection standard.

(d) A person who is authorized under this chapter to use restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides shall comply with all applicable federal and state rules, regulations, and court orders regarding the use of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides.

(e) Except as provided by Section 76.003(e), a person may not purchase a restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticide or regulated herbicide unless the person is a licensed or a certified applicator or authorized by a licensed or certified applicator to purchase or take delivery for the applicator.

(f) The other provisions of this section notwithstanding, the department may adopt rules or establish programs that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or another federal agency requires as a condition for receiving:

(1) approval to authorize use of certain restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides;

(2) federal funding for licensing or certification of pesticide applicators;

(3) federal funding for pesticide law enforcement efforts; or

(4) other federal funding related to pesticide risk reduction.

(g) The other provisions of this chapter notwithstanding, if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or another federal agency imposes on the state standards for certification of commercial, noncommercial, or private pesticide applicators, the department may adopt by rule the federal standards for each classification of applicators for which the federal standards are imposed.