Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 20-54 - Agricultural Resource Management
Chapter ATCP 29 - Pesticide Use And Control
Subchapter VI - Individuals Handling Or Applying Pesticides
Section ATCP 29.31 - Commercial applicators; certification categories

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code § ATCP 29.31

Current through February 24, 2025

The department may certify an individual as a commercial applicator, under s. ATCP 29.26, in any of the following categories:

(1) FIELD AND VEGETABLE CROP PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to control pests affecting agricultural field and vegetable crops, or to control pests on noncrop agricultural lands.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Agricultural crops and noncrop agricultural land uses, and key pests that may affect them.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

3. Potential health and environmental hazards related to the use of pesticides in this category, including hazards related to surface water and groundwater.

4. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

5. The safe use of pesticide-treated crops for food or feed, including required pre-harvest intervals.

6. Worker safety, notice, posting and restricted entry interval requirements.

7. Hazards to treated plants and nontarget organisms, including phytotoxicity.

8. Pesticide overspray and drift, and how to avoid them.

9. Public and community relations issues related to pesticide applications.

(2) FRUIT CROP PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to control pests affecting the production of agricultural fruit crops, including small fruits, tree fruits and nuts.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Common agricultural fruit crops grown in this state, and the pests that affect them.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

3. Potential health and environmental hazards related to pesticide use in this category, including hazards related to surface water and groundwater.

4. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

5. The safe use of pesticide-treated fruit crops for food or feed, including required pre-harvest intervals.

6. Worker safety, notice, posting and restricted entry interval requirements.

7. Hazards to treated plants and nontarget organisms, including phytotoxicity.

8. Pesticide overspray and drift, and how to avoid them.

9. Public and community relations issues related to pesticide applications.

(3) LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to do either of the following:
1. Control pests on agricultural animals such as livestock, poultry or horses.

2. Control pests other than birds and rodents in places, other than human habitations, where agricultural animals are confined.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Common agricultural animals, and the pests that affect them.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

3. Potential adverse health effects on animals and humans.

4. Potential adverse effects on food and other uses of animals or their products.

5. Appropriate procedures for preparing, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

(4) FOREST PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to control pests in forests, forest nurseries, Christmas tree plantations and tree seed producing areas.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Forests, forest nurseries, Christmas tree plantations and tree seed production in this state, and pests that may affect them.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests.

3. Factors, including pest population dynamics and cycles, that may affect the need for and appropriate use of pesticides.

4. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

5. Potential adverse effects on treated plants and plant products.

6. Potential adverse effects on nontarget organisms.

7. Potential health and environmental hazards, including hazards to aquatic habitats and wildlife.

8. Pesticide overspray and drift, and how to avoid them.

9. Applicable laws, including s. 26.30, Stats., and ch. NR 35, pertaining to forest pest control.

10. Public and community relations issues related to pesticide applications.

(5) TURF AND LANDSCAPE PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to control pests affecting turf or landscape.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Production and maintenance of turf and landscape in this state.

2. Common pests affecting turf and landscape.

3. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

4. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

5. Worker safety, notice, posting and restricted entry interval requirements.

6. Potential health and environmental hazards, including hazards related to surface water and groundwater.

7. Hazards to treated plants and nontarget organisms, including phytotoxicity.

8. Pesticide overspray and drift, and how to avoid them.

9. Public and community relations issues related to pesticide applications.

(6) GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to control pests affecting greenhouse or nursery plants.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Production of greenhouse and nursery plants.

2. Common pests affecting greenhouse and nursery plants.

3. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

4. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

5. Worker safety, notice, posting and restricted entry interval requirements.

6. Potential health and environmental hazards.

7. Hazards to treated plants and nontarget organisms, including phytotoxicity.

(7) SEED TREATMENT PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides, other than in planter box treatments, to control pests on seeds used for planting or propagation.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Seeds and the pests that may affect them.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant seed pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

3. Potential health and environmental hazards related to pesticide applications, including hazards related to handling, sorting, mixing, using and disposing of pesticide-treated seed.

4. Appropriate procedures for preparing, applying and disposing of pesticides, including procedures for handling, sorting, mixing, using and disposing of pesticide-treated seed, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

5. Factors, such as seed coloration carriers and surface active agents, that may affect pesticide efficacy or seed germination.

6. Worker safety, notice, posting and restricted entry interval requirements.

(8) AQUATIC AND MOSQUITO PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who do either of the following:
1. Use or direct the use of any pesticide in standing or running surface water, or below the high water mark, to control pests.

2. Use or direct the use of any pesticide to control mosquitoes in water or on land.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Pests in aquatic environments.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant aquatic pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

3. Potential health and environmental effects of pesticide applications, including potential downstream effects, secondary effects and effects on nontarget organisms.

4. Proper procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards. This includes limited area application principles.

5. Applicable regulations including s. ATCP 29.62 and ch. 281, Stats., and ch. NR 107.

6. Public and community relations issues related to aquatic pesticide applications.

(9) ANTIFOULING PAINT APPLICATIONS.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of anti-fouling paint pesticides to preserve and protect boat hulls, buoys, and other materials against damage from marine plants and animals such as barnacles, algae and tube worms.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. The pests against which antifouling paints are commonly used.

2. Antifouling paints, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of antifouling paints.

3. Potential health and environmental hazards related to antifouling paints.

4. Proper procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of antifouling paints, to prevent or minimize hazards related to those paints.

(10) RIGHT-OF-WAY AND NATURAL AREA PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to maintain lands used for electric power lines, pipelines, railways, public roads or similar purposes, or to restore or maintain the ecological integrity of natural areas.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. The variety of environments that may be affected by right-of-way and natural area pesticide applications.

2. Recognition of common pests controlled by right-of-way and natural area pesticide applications.

2m. Restoration and maintenance of natural areas.

3. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

4. Potential health and environmental hazards, including hazards related to surface water and groundwater.

5. Hazards to treated plants and nontarget organisms, including phytotoxicity.

6. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

7. Notice, posting and restricted entry interval requirements.

8. Pesticide overspray and drift, and how to avoid them.

9. Public and community relations issues related to pesticide applications.

(11) INDUSTRIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, STRUCTURAL, AND HEALTH- RELATED PEST CONTROL; GENERAL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals, other than those included in categories subs. (12) to (15), who use or direct the use of pesticides for any of the following purposes:
1. To protect stored, processed or manufactured products.

2. To control pests in or around food handling establishments, human dwellings, schools, institutions, industrial establishments, warehouses, grain elevators, or like facilities. It includes individuals making perimeter barrier applications. It also includes individuals making spot or directed applications to landscapes to control structural, household, or nuisance pests such as ants, fleas, wasps, bees, and hornets. It does not include individuals making applications under sub. (5) to control pests of turf or ornamentals; nor does it include individuals making applications under sub. (8) to control mosquitoes.

Note: Landscape applications other than perimeter barrier applications must comply with s. ATCP 29.56.

3. To control, as part of a public health program, pests other than mosquitoes that have public health or medical importance.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Pests that have public health or medical importance.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

3. Potential health and environmental hazards related to the use of pesticides in this category.

4. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

(12) FUMIGATION; SPACES AND COMMODITIES.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of fumigant pesticides to control pests in industrial, institutional or structural settings, or for health-related purposes. It includes individuals who apply fumigants by means of general, spot, tarpaulin, chamber, vehicle or in-transit fumigation, or who aerate or ventilate fumigated spaces. It does not include individuals who use or direct the use of soil fumigants.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Pests that are subject to control by fumigation, including pest biology.

2. Fumigants that may be used to control relevant pests.

3. Factors that may determine the need for, or appropriate use of, a fumigant.

4. Potential health and environmental hazards related to fumigants.

5. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of fumigants, to prevent or minimize fumigant-related hazards.

6. Fumigation equipment.

7. Worker safety, notice, posting and restricted entry interval requirements.

(13) SEWER ROOT CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of metam sodium or other fumigants to control root growth in sewers.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. The use of metam sodium and other fumigants to control root growth in sewers.

2. Factors that may determine the need for, or appropriate use of, a sewer fumigant.

3. Potential health and environmental hazards related to sewer fumigants.

4. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of sewer fumigants, to prevent or minimize fumigant-related hazards.

5. Fumigation equipment.

6. Worker safety, notice, posting and restricted entry interval requirements.

(14) TERMITE CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to prevent or control termites.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Termites, including termite biology.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control termites, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

3. Potential health and environmental hazards related to termite control.

4. Key factors affecting the nature and severity of health and environmental hazards related to termite control.

5. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

(15) WOOD PRESERVATION.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals, other than those identified under sub. (9), who use or direct the use of pesticides for wood treatment to preserve and protect wood or wood-based materials against damage from insects, fungi, surface molds and mildew, marine crustaceans, shipworms and other pests.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Wood species and wood structure.

2. Wood destroying pests and their biology.

3. Wood preservatives that may be used to prevent or control damage caused by wood destroying pests.

4. Factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of wood preservatives.

5. Potential health and environmental hazards related to the use of wood preservatives.

6. Appropriate procedures for mixing, loading, applying and disposing of wood preservatives, to prevent or minimize related hazards.

(16) COMPANION ANIMAL PEST CONTROL.

(a) Category description. This category includes individuals who use or direct the use of pesticides to do either of the following:
1. Control pests on companion animals, such as dogs or cats.

2. Control pests in places, other than human habitations, where companion animals are confined.

(b) Certification requirements. To be certified in this category, an individual shall demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:
1. Common companion animals and household pets, and the pests that affect them.

2. Pesticides that may be used to control relevant pests, and factors that may affect the need for and appropriate use of those pesticides.

3. Potential toxic or adverse health effects on animals or humans.

4. Appropriate procedures for preparing, applying and disposing of pesticides, to prevent or minimize pesticide-related hazards.

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