Standards
CERTIFICATION
PESTICIDE APPLICATORS
Operations Division
Office of Pesticide Programs
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D. C. 20460
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Standards for certification of applicators
who plan to use "restricted use" pesticides were
printed in the Federal Register on October 9,
1974. They are reprinted here as a convenient
reference for you.
Authority for the publication of applicator
certification is found in Section 4, Federal In-
secticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, as
amended in 1972.
CONTENTS
Section 171.1 1
(General)
Section 171.2 1
(Definitions)
Section 171.3 4
(Commercial Applicator Categories)
Section 171.4 7
(Commercial Applicator Standards)
Section 171.5 15
(Private Applicator Standards)
Section 171.6 17
(Supervision of Non-Certified Applicators)
October 1974
CPA-2
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Section 171.1 General
This section deals with the certification of
applicators of restricted use pesticides.
Section 171.2 Definitions
Terms used in this subpart shall have the
meanings set forth for such terms in the Act.
In addition, as used in this subpart, the fol-
lowing terms shall have the meanings stated
below:
(a) The term "accident" means an unex-
pected, undesirable event, caused by the use
or presence of a pesticide, that adversely affects
man or the environment.
(b) The term "Act" means the Federal In-
secticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, as
amended (86 Stat. 973), and other legislation
supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof.
(c) The term "Administrator" means the Ad-
ministrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, or any office or employee of the
Agency to whom authority has heretofore been
delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter
be delegated, to act in his stead.
(d) The term "Agency," unless otherwise
specified, means the United States Environ-
mental Protection Agency.
(e) The term "agricultural commodity"
means any plant, or part thereof, or animal, or
animal product, produced by a person (includ-
ing farmers, ranchers, vineyardists, plant propa-
gators, Christmas tree growers, aquaculturists,
floriculturists, orchardists, foresters, or other
comparable persons) primarily for sale, con-
sumption, propagation, or other use by man or
animals.
(f) The term "calibration of equipment"
means measurement of dispersal or output of
application equipment and adjustment of such
equipment to control the rate of dispersal, and
droplet or particle size of a pesticide dispersed
by the equipment.
(g) The term "certification" means the recog-
nition by a certifying agency that a person is
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competent and thus authorized to use or super-
vise the use of restricted use pesticides.
(h) The term "certified applicator" means
any individual who is certified to use or super-
vise the use of any restricted use pesticides
covered by his certification.
(i) The term "commercial applicator" means a
certified applicator (whether or not he is a
private applicator with respect to some uses)
who uses or supervises the use of any pesticide
which is classified for restricted use for any
purpose or on any property other than as pro-
vided by the definition of "private applicator."
(j) The term "compatibility" means that
property of a pesticide which permits its use with
other chemicals without undesirable results
being caused by the combination.
(k) The term "competent" means properly
qualified to perform functions associated with
pesticide application, the degree of capability
required being directly related to the nature of
the activity and the associated responsibility.
(1) The term "common exposure route"
means a likely way (oral, dermal, respiratory)
by which a pesticide may reach and/or enter an
organism.
(m) The term "environment" means water,
air, land, and all plants and man and other
animals living therein, and the interrelation-
ships which exist among them.
(n) The term "forest" means a concentra-
tion of trees and related vegetation in non-
urban areas sparsely inhabited by and infre-
quently used by humans; characterized by
natural terrain and drainage patterns.
(o) The term "hazard" means a probability
that a given pesticide will have an adverse ef-
fect on man or the environment in a given
situation, the relative likelihood of danger or ill
effect being dependent on a number of inter-
related factors present at any given time.
(p) The term "host" means any plant or ani-
mal on or in which another lives for nourish-
ment, development, or protection.
(q) The term "non-target organism" means a
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plant or animal other than the one against
which the pesticide is applied.
(r) The term "ornamental" means trees,
shrubs, and other plantings in and around habi-
tations generally, but not necessarily located in
urban and suburban areas, including residences,
parks, streets, retail outlets, industrial and in-
stitutional buildings.
(s) The term "practical knowledge" means
the possession of pertinent facts and compre-
hension together with the ability to use them in
dealing with specific problems and situations.
(t) The term "private applicator" means a
certified applicator who uses or supervises the
use of any pesticide which is classified for re-
stricted use for purposes of producing any agri-
cultural commodity on property owned or
rented by him or his employer or (if applied
without compensation other than trading of
personal services between producers of agri-
cultural commodities) on the property of an-
other person.
(u) The term "protective equipment" means
clothing or any other materials or devices that
shield against unintended exposure to pesticides.
(v) The term "regulated pest" means a spe-
cific organism considered by a State or Federal
agency to be a pest requiring regulatory re-
strictions, regulations, or control procedures in
order to protect the host, man and/or his en-
vironment.
(w) The term "restricted use pesticide"
means a pesticide that is classified for restricted
use under the provisions of Section 3(d)(l)(C)
of the Act.
(x) The term "standard" means the measure
of knowledge and ability which must be demon-
strated as a requirement for certification.
(y) The term "State" means a State, the Dis-
trict of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and
American Samoa.
(z) The term "susceptibility" means the de-
gree to which an organism is affected by a
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pesticide at a particular level of exposure.
(aa) The term "toxicity" means the property
of a pesticide to cause any adverse physio-
logical effects.
(bb) The term "under the direct supervision
of" means the act or process whereby applica-
tion of a pesticide is made by a competent
person acting under the instructions and control
of a certified applicator who is responsible for
the actions of that person and who is available
if and when needed, even though such certified
applicator is not physically present at the time
and place the pesticide is applied.
Section 171.3 Categorization of Com-
mercial Applicators of Pesticides
(a) Procedure
Categories of applicators (other than private)
using or supervising the use of restricted use
pesticides are identified below. State systems of
applicator identification shall adopt these cate-
gories as needed, along with such appropriate
subcategories as are necessary to meet the par-
ticular requirements of the State.
(b) Categories
(1) AGRICULTURAL PEST CONTROL
(i) Plant
This category includes commer-
cial applicators using or supervising
the use of restricted use pesticides in
production of agricultural crops, in-
cluding without limiting the foregoing,
tobacco, peanuts, cotton, feed grains,
soybeans and forage; vegetables;
small fruits; tree fruits and nuts, as
well as on grasslands and non-crop
agricultural lands.
(ii) Animal
This category includes commer-
cial applicators using or supervising
the use of restricted use pesticides on
animals, including without limiting
the foregoing, beef cattle, dairy cattle,
swine, sheep, horses, goats, poultry
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and livestock, and to places on or in
which animals are confined.
Doctors of Veterinary Medicine
engaged in the business of applying
pesticides for hire, publicly holding
themselves out as pesticide applicators,
or engaged in large-scale use of pes-
ticides are included in this category.
(2) FOREST PEST CONTROL
This category includes commercial
applicators using or supervising the use of
restricted use pesticides in forests, forest
nurseries, and forest seed producing areas.
(3) ORNAMENTAL AND TURF PEST CON-
TROL
This category includes commercial
applicators using or supervising the use of
restricted use pesticides to control pests
in the maintenance and production of or-
namental trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf.
(4) SEED TREATMENT
This category includes commercial
applicators using or supervising the use
of restricted use pesticides on seeds.
(5) AQUATIC PEST CONTROL
This category includes commercial
applicators using or supervising the use
of any restricted use pesticide purpose-
fully applied to standing or running water,
excluding applicators engaged in public
health related activities included in cate-
gory 8 below.
(6) RIGHT-OF-WAY PEST CONTROL
This category includes commercial
applicators using or supervising the use of
restricted use pesticides in the mainte-
nance of public roads, electric powerlines,
pipelines, railway rights-of-way or other
similar areas.
(7) INDUSTRIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, STRUC-
TURAL AND HEALTH RELATED PEST
CONTROL
This category includes commercial
applicators using or supervising the use of
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restricted use pesticides in, on, or around
food handling establishments, human
dwellings, institutions, such as schools and
hospitals, industrial establishments, includ-
ing warehouses and grain elevators, and
any other structures and adjacent area,
public or private; and for the protection of
stored, processed, or manufactured
products.
(8) PUBLIC HEALTH PEST CONTROL
This category includes State, Fed-
eral or other governmental employees
using or supervising the use of restricted
use pesticides in public health programs
for the management and control of pests
having medical and public health impor-
tance.
(9) REGULATORY PEST CONTROL
This category includes State, Federal
or other governmental employees who use
or supervise the use of restricted use pesti-
cides in the control of regulated pests.
(10) DEMONSTRATION AND RESEARCH PEST
CONTROL
This category includes: (1) individ-
uals who demonstrate to the public the
proper use and techniques of application
of restricted use pesticides or supervise
such demonstration, and (2) persons con-
ducting field research with pesticides, and
in doing so, use or supervise the use of
restricted use pesticides.
Included in the first group are such
persons as extension specialists and county
agents, commercial representatives demon-
strating pesticide products, and those in-
dividuals demonstrating methods used in
public programs.
The second group includes: State,
Federal, commercial and other persons con-
ducting field research on or utilizing re-
stricted use pesticides.
(c) Other Categories and Subcategories
Any State submitting a plan pursuant to
this section for the certification of applicators,
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as provided for below, may designate such sub-
categories within the above 10 categories as it
deems necessary. In addition, a State may de-
lete a category not needed or may request the
Administrator's approval of additional major
categories.
Section 171.4 Standards for Certifica-
tion of Commercial Applicators
(a) Determination of Competency
Competence in the use and handling of
pesticides shall be determined on the basis of
written examinations, and, as appropriate, per-
formance testing, based upon standards set
forth below and which are approved by the
Administrator. Such examination and testing
shall include the general standards applicable
to all categories (Section 171.4(b)) and the
additional standards specifically identified for
each category or subcategory (if any) in which
an applicator is to be classified (Section 171.4
(c)). State standards must conform and be at
least equal to those prescribed herein. In devel-
oping the details of standards at the State level
and in structuring examinations, it is important
to recognize and reflect the extent of compe-
tency appropriate and necessary to a particular
category.
(b) General Standards for all Categories of
Certified Commercial Applicators
(1) All commercial applicators shall de-
monstrate practical knowledge of the
principles and practices of pest control and
safe use of pesticides. Testing shall be
based on examples of problems and situ-
ations appropriate to the particular cate-
gory or subcategory of the applicator's
certification and the following areas of
competency:
(i) Label & Labeling Comprehension
(a) The general format and termi-
nology of pesticide labels and
labeling;
(b) The understanding of instruc-
tions, warnings, terms, symbols,
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and other information com-
monly appearing on pesticide
labels;
(c) Classification of the product,
general or restricted; and
(d) Necessity for use consistent
with the label.
(ii) Safety—Factors including:
(a) Pesticide toxicity and hazard to
man and common exposure
routes;
(b) Common types and causes of
pesticide accidents;
(c) Precautions necessary to guard
against injury to applicators and
other individuals in or near
treated areas;
(d) Need for and use of protective
clothing and equipment;
(e) Symptoms of pesticide poison-
ing;
(f) First aid and other procedures
to be followed in case of a
pesticide accident; and
(g) Proper identification, storage,
transport, handling, mixing pro-
cedures and disposal methods
for pesticides and used pesticide
containers, including precautions
to be taken to prevent children
from having access to pesticides
and pesticide containers.
(iii) Environment—The potential envi-
ronmental consequences of the use
and misuse of pesticides as may be
influenced by such factors as:
(a) Weather and other climatic
conditions;
(b) Types of terrain, soil or other
substrate;
(c) Presence of fish, wildlife and other
non-target organisms; and
(d) Drainage patterns.
(iv) Pests—Factors such as:
(a) Common features of pest orga-
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nisms and characteristics of
damage needed for pest recog-
nition;
(b) Recognition of relevant pests;
and
(c) Pest development and biology
as it may be relevant to prob-
lem identification and control.
(v) Pesticides—Factors such as:
(a) Types of pesticides;
(b) Types of formulations;
(c) Compatibility, synergism, per-
sistence and animal and plant
toxicity of the formulations;
(d) Hazards and residues associated
with use;
(e) Factors which influence effec-
tiveness or lead to such prob-
lems as resistance to pesticides;
and
(f) Dilution procedures.
(vi) Equipment—Factors including:
(a) Types of equipment and
advantages and limitations of
each type; and
(b) Uses, maintenance and calibra-
tion.
(vii) Application Techniques—Factors
including:
(a) Methods of procedure used to
apply various formulations of
pesticides, solutions, and gases,
together with a knowledge of
which technique of application
to use in a given situation;
(b) Relationship of discharge and
placement of pesticides to
proper use, unnecessary use,
and misuse; and
(c) Prevention of drift and pesti-
cide loss into the environment.
(viii) Laws and Regulations—Applicable
State and Federal laws and regula-
tions.
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(c) Specific Standards of Competency for Each
Category of Commercial Applicators
Some of the factors referenced in (171.4(b))
are of particular importance because of the dif-
ferent types of activities carried out by appli-
cators in each category. Such factors must be
especially stressed and specifically reflected in
State certification standards, as appropriate.
For example, practical knowledge of drift
problems should be required of agricultural
applicators but not of seed treatment appli-
cators. The latter, however, should be particu-
larly knowledgeable of the hazards of the
misuse of treated seed and the necessary pre-
cautionary techniques. Many applicators in
categories 171.3(b) (8), (9), and (10) will have
had considerable formal education, training and
experience in preparation for their positions.
Their competency with respect to the use and
handling of pesticides will have been deter-
mined by examining boards of their professional
scientific societies utilizing standards which
equal or exceed those prescribed herein. Such
standards should be consulted by States in de-
veloping their State standards for certification
of such applicators under these regulations.
Commercial applicators in each category
shall be particularly qualified with respect to
the practical knowledge standards elaborated
below:
(1) AGRICULTURAL PEST CONTROL
(i) Plant
Applicators must demonstrate
practical knowledge of the crops
grown and the specific pests of those
crops on which they may be using re-
stricted use pesticides. The impor-
tance of such competency is ampli-
fied by the extensive areas involved,
the quantities of pesticides needed,
and the ultimate use of many com-
modities as food and feed. Practical
knowledge is required concerning
soil and water problems, pre-harvest
intervals, re-entry intervals, phyto-
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toxicity, and potential for environ-
mental contamination, non-target in-
jury and community problems result-
ing from the use of restricted use
pesticides in agricultural areas.
(ii) Animal
Applicators applying pesticides
directly to animals must demonstrate
practical knowledge of such animals
and their associated pests. A practi-
cal knowledge is also required con-
cerning specific pesticide toxicity and
residue potential, since host animals
will frequently be used for food. Fur-
ther, the applicator must know the
relative hazards associated with such
factors as formulation, application
techniques, age of animals, stress and
extent of treatment.
(2) FOREST PEST CONTROL
Applicators shall demonstrate practi-
cal knowledge of the types of forests, for-
est nurseries, and seed production in their
State and the pests involved. They should
possess practical knowledge of the cyclic
occurrence of certain pests and specific
population dynamics as a basis for pro-
gramming pesticide applications. A practi-
cal knowledge is required of the relative
biotic agents and their vulnerability to the
pesticides to be applied. Because forest
stands may be large and frequently include
natural aquatic habitats and harbor wild-
life, the consequences of pesticide use may
be difficult to assess. The applicator must
therefore demonstrate practical knowledge
of control methods which will minimize
the possibility of secondary problems such
as unintended effects on wildlife. Proper
use of specialized equipment must be de-
monstrated, especially as it may relate to
meteorological factors and adjacent land
use.
(3) ORNAMENTAL AND TURF PEST CONTROL
Applicators shall demonstrate practi-
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cal knowledge of pesticide problems asso-
ciated with the production and maintenance
of ornamental trees, shrubs, plantings, and
turf, including cognizance of potential
phytotoxicity due to a wide variety of plant
material, drift, and persistence beyond the
intended period of pest control. Because
of the frequent proximity of human habi-
tations to application activities, applicators
in this category must demonstrate practi-
cal knowledge of application methods which
will minimize or prevent hazards to humans,
pets, and other domestic animals.
(4) SEED TREATMENT
Applicators shall demonstrate practi-
cal knowledge of types of seeds that re-
quire chemical protection against pests
and factors such as seed coloration, car-
riers, and surface active agents which in-
fluence pesticide binding and may affect
germination. They must demonstrate prac-
tical knowledge of hazards associated with
handling, sorting and mixing, and misuse
of treated seed such as introduction of
treated seed into food and feed channels, as
well as proper disposal of unused treated
seeds.
(5) AQUATIC PEST CONTROL
Applicators shall demonstrate practi-
cal knowledge of the secondary effects
which can be caused by improper applica-
tion rates, incorrect formulations, and
faulty application of restricted use pesti-
cides used in this category. They shall
demonstrate practical knowledge of vari-
ous water use situations and the potential
of downstream effects. Further, they must
have practical knowledge concerning po-
tential pesticide effects on plants, fish,
birds, beneficial insects and other organ-
isms which may be present in aquatic
environments. These applicators shall
demonstrate practical knowledge of the
principles of limited area application.
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(6) RIGHT-OF-WAY PEST CONTROL
Applicators shall demonstrate practi-
cal knowledge of a wide variety of envi-
ronments since rights-of-way can traverse
many different terrains, including water-
ways. They shall demonstrate practical
knowledge of problems on runoff, drift,
and excessive foliage destruction and ability
to recognize target organisms. They shall
also demonstrate practical knowledge of
the nature of herbicides and the need for
containment of these pesticides within the
right-of-way area, and the impact of their
application activities in the adjacent areas
and communities.
(7) INDUSTRIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, STRUC-
TURAL AND HEALTH RELATED PEST
CONTROL
Applicators must demonstrate a prac-
tical knowledge of a wide variety of pests
including their life cycles, types of
formulations appropriate for their con-
trol and methods of application that avoid
contamination of food, damage and con-
tamination of habitat and exposure of
people and pets. Since human exposure,
including babies, children, pregnant women,
and elderly people, is frequently a poten-
tial problem, applicators must demonstrate
practical knowledge of the specific factors
which may lead to a hazardous condition,
including continuous exposure in the vari-
ous situations encountered in this category.
Because health related pest control may
involve outdoor applications, applicators
must also demonstrate practical knowledge
of environmental conditions particularly
related to this activity.
(8) PUBLIC HEALTH PEST CONTROL
Applicators shall demonstrate practi-
cal knowledge of vector-disease transmis-
sion as it relates to and influences applica-
tion programs. A wide variety of pests is
involved, and it is essential that they be
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known and recognized, and appropriate
life cycles and habitats be understood as a
basis for control strategy. These applicators
shall have practical knowledge of a great
variety of environments ranging from
streams to those conditions found in build-
ings. They should also have practical
knowledge of the importance and employ-
ment of such non-chemical control meth-
ods as sanitation, waste disposal, and
drainage.
(9) REGULATORY PEST CONTROL
Applicators shall demonstrate practi-
cal knowledge of regulated pests, appli-
cable laws relating to quarantine and other
regulation of pests, and the potential im-
pact on the environment of restricted use
pesticides used in suppression and eradi-
cation programs. They shall demonstrate
knowledge of factors influencing introduc-
tion, spread, and population dynamics of
relevant pests. Their knowledge shall ex-
tend beyond that required by their im-
mediate duties since their services are
frequently required in other areas of the
country where emergency measures are
invoked to control regulated pests, and
where individual judgments must be made
in new situations.
(10) DEMONSTRATION AND RESEARCH
PEST CONTROL
Persons demonstrating the safe and
effective use of pesticides to other appli-
cators and the public will be expected to
meet comprehensive standards reflecting
a broad spectrum of pesticide uses.
Many different pest problem situations will
be encountered in the course of activities
associated with demonstration, and prac-
tical knowledge of problems, pests, and
population levels occurring in each de-
monstration situation is required. Further,
they should demonstrate an understanding
of pesticide-organism interactions and the
importance of integrating pesticide use
with other control methods. In general, it
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would be expected that applicators doing
demonstration pest control work possess
a practical knowledge of all of the standards
detailed in Section 171.4(b). In addition,
they shall meet the specific standards re-
quired for categories (1) through (7) of
this section as may be applicable to their
particular activity.
Persons conducting field research or
method improvement work with restricted
use pesticides should be expected to know
the general standards detailed in 171.4(b).
In addition, they shall be expected to know
the specific standards required for cate-
gories (1) through (9) of this section,
applicable to their particular activity, or
alternatively, to meet the more inclusive
requirements listed under "Demonstra-
tion."
(d) Special Standards—This space reserved for
possible issuance of Special Standards.
(e) The above standards do not apply to the
following persons for purposes of these
regulations:
(1) Persons conducting laboratory type re-
search involving restricted use pesticides;
and (2) Doctors of Medicine and Doctors
of Veterinary Medicine applying pesticides
as drugs or medication during the course
of their normal practice.
Section 171.5 Standards for Certifica-
tion of Private Applicators
(a) Competence in the use and handling of
pesticides by a private applicator will be deter-
mined by procedures set forth below. State
standards must conform and be at least equal
to those prescribed herein.
As a minimum requirement for certification,
a private applicator must show that he pos-
sesses a practical knowledge of the pest prob-
lems and pest control practices associated with
his agricultural operations, proper storage, use,
handling and disposal of the pesticides and
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containers, and his related legal responsibility.
This practical knowledge includes ability to:
(1) Recognize common pests to be con-
trolled and damage caused by them.
(2) Read and understand the label and
labeling information—including the com-
mon name of pesticide he applied; pest(s)
to be controlled; timing and methods of
application; safety precautions; any pre-
harvest or re-entry restrictions; and any
specific disposal procedures.
(3) Apply pesticides in accordance with
label instructions and warnings, including
the ability to prepare the proper concen-
tration of pesticide to be used under par-
ticular circumstances taking into account
such factors as area to be covered, speed
at which application equipment will be
driven, and the quantity dispersed in a
given period of operation.
(4) Recognize local environmental situ-
ations that must be considered during ap-
plication to avoid contamination.
(5) Recognize poisoning symptoms and
procedures to follow in case of a pesticide
accident.
(b) Such competence of each private appli-
cator shall be verified by the responsible State
agency through the administration of a private
applicator certification system which ensures
that the private applicator is competent, based
upon the standards set forth above, to use the
restricted use pesticides under limitations of
applicable State and Federal laws and regula-
tions. A certification system shall employ a writ-
ten or oral testing procedure, or such other
equivalent system as may be approved as part
of a State plan.
(1) In any case where a person, at the
time of testing for certification, is unable
to read a label, the responsible State
agency may employ a testing procedure,
previously approved by the Administrator,
which can adequately assess the compe-
tence of such person with regard to all of
the above standards. Certification must be
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related and limited to the use and handling
of each individual pesticide for which he
desires certification at any time. Therefore,
the applicator will be authorized to use
only the pesticide(s) for which he has
demonstrated competence. A specific proce-
dure is required for Section 171.5(a)(2)
relating to label comprehension, with test-
ing designed to assure his knowledge of
the following:
(i) Understanding of the label and label-
ing information including those items
indicated in that subsection.
(ii) Sources of advice and guidance neces-
sary for the safe and proper use of each
pesticide related to his certification.
Section 171.6 Standards for Supervision
of Non-Certified Applicators by Certi-
fied Private and Commercial Appli-
cators
Certified applicators whose activities indicate
a supervisory role must demonstrate a practical
knowledge of Federal and State supervisory re-
quirements, including labeling, regarding the
application of restricted use pesticides by non-
certified applicators.
The availability of the certified applicator
must be directly related to the hazard of the
situation. In many situations, where the certified
applicator is not required to be physically
present, "direct supervision" shall include
verifiable instruction to the competent person,
as follows: (1) detailed guidance for applying
the pesticide properly, and (2) provisions for
contacting the certified applicator in the event
he is needed. In other situations, and as
required by the label, the actual physical
presence of a certified applicator may be re-
quired when application is made by a non-
certified applicator.
* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1974-625-715/25-31
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