Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 52, December 26, 2024
(a) Each
general core examination for commercial applicator certification shall test the
applicant's knowledge in the following subjects, in addition to testing the
applicant's knowledge in those subjects specified in
K.S.A.
2-2443a(a) through (h), and
amendments thereto:
(1) The general format
and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling, the instructions, warnings,
symbols and other information appearing on pesticide labels, the classification
designation on pesticide labels, and the necessity of using each pesticide in a
manner that is consistent with the information and instructions on its label;
(2) safety factors, including
pesticide toxicity; types and causes of pesticide accidents; precautionary
measures that are necessary to guard against injury to the applicator and other
individuals; symptoms of pesticide poisoning; first aid and other procedures to
follow in case of a pesticide accident; proper identification, storage,
transportation of, mixing, and handling of pesticides; prevention of and
cleanup of pesticide spills; and disposal of pesticide containers;
(3) the potential for damage to the
environment from use and misuse of pesticides as influenced by factors
including types of terrain, soil, and other substrata and drainage patterns;
(4) pest development and biology
relevant to pest identification and control;
(5) the types of pesticides and pesticide
formulations used, compatibility, synergism, persistence and animal and plant
toxicity of pesticides, practices that cause pesticide resistance, and dilution
procedures;
(6) the types of
equipment used and the limitations of each and equipment use, maintenance, and
calibration;
(7) proper
application techniques for various pesticides and formulations of pesticide in
given situations, relationship of placement of pesticides to proper use,
unnecessary pesticide use and pesticide misuse, and prevention of pesticide
loss into the environment through drift and other means; and
(8) requirements that must be met by a
certified applicator in supervising noncertified applicators of restricted
pesticides, including practical knowledge of federal and state supervisory
requirements, requirements found on labeling, requirements regarding verifiable
instruction of the noncertified applicator and availability of certified
applicator during application, and any added restrictions that may be imposed
for specific pesticides through labeling, including the required physical
presence of the supervising applicator during the application.
(b) As specified in this
subsection, each category or subcategory examination for commercial applicator
certification shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of the category or
subcategory of certification in which the applicant wishes to be certified, in
addition to testing the applicant's practical knowledge in those subjects
specified in
K.S.A.
2-2443a and amendments thereto.
(1) Agricultural pest control.
(A) Each examination for agricultural plant
pest control applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of the
crops grown in Kansas and the specific pests commonly associated with these
crops, potential soil and water damage, preharvest intervals, reentry
intervals, phytotoxicity, environmental contamination, nontarget injury, and
potential adverse effects on the community that are related to the use of
restricted pesticides in agricultural areas.
(B) Each examination for agricultural animal
pest control applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of
Kansas agricultural animals and their pests, specific pesticide toxicity
levels, residue potential and relative hazards associated with various
pesticide formulations, application techniques, ages of animals, and the stress
and extent of treatment.
(C) Each
examination for wildlife damage control applicators shall test the applicant's
practical knowledge of vertebrate pest species and damage associated with each
species, methods useful in damage prevention, products used in damage control,
the potential for direct poisoning of nontarget species, the potential for
secondary poisonings, effects upon threatened and endangered species, specific
pesticide toxicity and residue levels, and methods of application necessary to
minimize hazards to humans, the environment, pets, and domestic animals.
(D) Each examination for stump
treatment applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of stump
control methods, limited area applications, and the potential adverse effects
of pesticides.
(2)
Forest pest control. Each examination for forest pest control applicators shall
test the applicant's practical knowledge of types of forests, forest nurseries
and forest seed production in Kansas and of the pests associated with them,
pest cycles and population dynamics as they influence control programming,
biotic agents and their relative vulnerability to pesticides, and proper use of
specialized equipment as it relates to adjacent land use.
(3) Ornamental and turf pest control.
(A) Each examination for ornamental pest
control applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of pest and
pesticide problems associated with the production and maintenance of ornamental
trees, shrubs and flowers in Kansas, potential phytotoxicity problems related
to the wide variety of plants in treated areas, pesticide persistence beyond
the intended period of control, and application methods that minimize hazards
to humans, pets, and domestic animals.
(B) Each examination for turf pest control
applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of pest and
pesticide problems associated with the production and maintenance of turf in
Kansas, potential phytotoxicity problems related to the wide variety of plants
in treated areas, pesticide persistence beyond the intended period of control,
and application methods that minimize hazards to humans, pets, and domestic
animals.
(C) Each examination for
interior landscape pest control applicators shall test the applicant's
practical knowledge of pest and pesticide problems associated with the
production and maintenance of houseplants and other ornamental plants kept or
located within structures occupied by humans, including houses, apartments,
offices, shopping malls, other places of business, and other dwelling places.
The examination shall also test the applicant's practical knowledge of
potential phytotoxicity problems related to treatment of plants in enclosed
areas, pesticide persistence beyond the intended period of control, and
application methods that minimize hazards to humans, pets, and domestic
animals.
(4) Seed
treatment. Each examination for seed treatment applicators shall test the
applicant's practical knowledge of the types of seeds that require protection
against pests, factors that could affect germination, including seed
coloration, carriers and surface-active agents, hazards associated with
handling, storing, mixing and misuse of treated seeds, and the proper disposal
of unused treated seeds.
(5)
Aquatic pest control.
(A) Each examination
for aquatic pest control applicators shall test the applicant's practical
knowledge of secondary effects caused by improper application rates, incorrect
formulations, and faulty aquatic pesticide applications; knowledge of various
water use situations and the potential of downstream effects; knowledge of
potential effects on plants, fish, birds, beneficial insects, and other
organisms in the aquatic environment; and knowledge of the principles of
limited area application.
(B) Each
examination for sewer root control shall test the applicant's practical
knowledge of sewer control methods, limited area applications, and potential
adverse effects of pesticides.
(6) Right-of-way pest control. Each
examination for right-of-way pest control applicators shall test the
applicant's practical knowledge of the wide variety of environments crossed by
rights-of-way, problems of runoff, drift and excessive foliage destruction, the
nature of herbicides, the need for containment of herbicides within the
right-of-way area, and the impact of the applicator's activities on adjacent
areas and communities.
(7)
Industrial, institutional, structural, and health-related pest control.
(A) Each examination for wood-destroying pest
control applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of
wood-destroying pests and their life cycles, pesticide formulations appropriate
for the control of these pests, methods of application that avoid exposure of
people and pets, and specific factors that can lead to hazardous conditions,
including continuous exposure to the pesticide.
(B) Each examination for stored products pest
control shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of pests found in stored
grain and food processing areas, their life cycles, pesticide formulations
appropriate for their control, methods of application that avoid contamination
of food products and exposure of people, and specific factors that can lead to
a hazardous condition, including continuous exposure.
(C) Each examination for industrial weed
control applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of weed
pests found in industrial areas, pesticide formulations appropriate for the
control of these pests, methods of application that avoid contamination of
habitat and exposure of people and pets, and environmental conditions
particularly related to this activity.
(D) Each examination for health-related pest
control applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of
vector-disease transmission as it relates to and influences application
programs, pests that adversely affect public health and their life cycles and
habitats, and the variety of environments in which these pests are encountered.
(E) Each examination for
structural pest control applicators shall test the applicant's practical
knowledge of the wide variety of pests found in buildings, including their life
cycles; types of pesticide formulations appropriate for their control and
methods of application that avoid contamination of food, damage to and
contamination of habitat, and exposure of people and pets; specific factors
that can lead to a hazardous condition, including continuous exposure in the
various situations encountered in this category; and environmental conditions
particularly related to this activity.
(F) Each examination for wood preservation
and woodproducts treatment applicators shall test the applicant's practical
knowledge of pest problems and pests associated with wood degradation,
including their life cycles, types of pesticide formulations appropriate for
their control, methods of application, application hazards and safety, and the
proper means of container storage and container and waste disposal. The
examination shall also test the applicant's practical knowledge of procedures
to contain spills and to avoid contamination and exposure of the environment,
including people, domestic animals, and wildlife.
(8) Public health pest control. Each
examination for public health pest control applicators shall test the
applicant's practical knowledge of vector-disease transmission as it relates to
and influences application programs, pests that adversely affect public health,
and their life cycles and habitats, the variety of environments in which these
pests are encountered, and the importance of nonchemical control methods
including sanitation, waste disposal, and drainage.
(9) Regulatory pest control.
(A) Each examination for noxious weed control
applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of pest weeds as
regulated by the Kansas noxious weed law, the potential impact on the
environment of restricted-use pesticides used in suppression and eradication
programs, and factors influencing the introduction, spread, and population
dynamics of those pest weeds.
(B)
Each examination for regulated pest control applicators shall test the
applicant's practical knowledge of federally regulated and state-regulated
pests, applicable laws relating to quarantine and other regulations regarding
pests, the potential impact on the environment of restricted-use pesticides
used in suppression and eradication programs, and factors influencing the
introduction, spread, and population dynamics of relevant pests.
(10) Demonstration and research
pest control. Each examination for demonstration and research pest control
applicators shall test the applicant's practical knowledge of the many
different pest problems encountered in the course of activities associated with
demonstration, field research and method improvement work, pesticide-organism
interactions, and the importance of integrating pesticide use with control
methods. Each applicator shall meet the examination requirements for
application in the other categories that are applicable to the applicator's
particular activity.
(c) A grade of at least 75% correct answers
shall be required to pass each commercial applicator examination.