5E-9.023. General Certification Standards for All Licensed Applicators

All individuals seeking licensure must demonstrate knowledge of the safe use and handling of pesticide products. Possession of such knowledge shall include having a working knowledge of the following areas of competency as they apply to the specific categories in which licensure is sought:

(1) Pesticide labels and labeling comprehension, including:

(a) The general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling;

(b) The understanding of instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information appearing on pesticide labels;

(c) Classification of the product (unclassified or restricted use); and

(d) Necessity for use consistent with the label.

(2) Pesticide safety, including:

(a) Pesticide toxicity, hazards 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 personal protective equipment;

(e) Signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning;

(f) First aid and other procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide accident; and

(g) Proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing and loading procedures and disposal methods for pesticides and empty pesticide containers, including management actions and precautions to be taken to prevent children or other individuals from having access to pesticides or pesticide containers.

(3) Environmental – The potential environmental consequences of the use and misuse of pesticides as may be influenced by factors such as:

(a) Weather and climate;

(b) Terrain, geological features, and soil type;

(c) Presence of fish or other wildlife, and other non-target organisms; and

(d) Wetlands, other bodies of water, and soil drainage patterns.

(4) Pest features, including:

(a) Common features of pest organisms and characteristics of damage needed for pest recognition;

(b) Identifying features of relevant pests; and

(c) Pest development and biology relevant to problem identification or pest control.

(5) Pesticide factors, including:

(a) Types of pesticides;

(b) Types of formulations;

(c) Compatibility, synergism, persistence, and animal or plant toxicity of pesticide formulations;

(d) Hazards and residues associated with use;

(e) Factors which may influence effectiveness or lead to pesticide resistance; and

(f) Pesticide mixing, loading, dilution, or other preparation procedures.

(6) Pesticide application equipment, including:

(a) Types and components of equipment and advantages and limitations of each; and

(b) Equipment use, maintenance and calibration.

(7) Application methodology, including:

(a) Methods used to apply various formulations of pesticides, and the knowledge of which formulation and application method should be used in a given situation;

(b) Characteristics that distinguish between proper and improper pesticide applications; and

(c) Methods of minimizing or preventing pesticide drift into the environment.

(8) Laws and regulations – applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

Rulemaking Authority 487.0435, 570.07(23) FS. Law Implemented 487.0435, 487.044 FS. History–New 6-9-94.