Education
The Department of Environment and Climate Change has been a member of the National Working Group on Pesticide Education, Training and Certification. This group has developed a national standard that applicators must meet in order to apply pesticides.
Basic Knowledge Requirements
The basic knowledge requirements for pesticide application education in Canada consists of information covering the following topics:
- General Information
- Labelling
- Regulations
- Human Health
- Safety
- Environment
- Emergency Response
- Pest Management
- Application Technology
- Public Relations
The Applicator Core is the basic information all applicators need to know about applying pesticides safely and effectively. There are ten category specific modules that provide further information for applying pesticides in specific areas. The applicator core plus a specific module will provide full information on applying pesticides within a given area.
Applicators and vendors are also required to know and understand the provincial legislation regarding pesticide use in Newfoundland and Labrador. In the province, the Environmental Protection Act governs the sale, transportation, storage, mixing, application, and disposal of domestic, commercial, and restricted class pesticides in NL. The Pesticides Control Regulations under the Environmental Protection Act outlines specific regulatory requirements as it relates to pesticide use and licensing in NL.
To obtain a licence in pesticide application you must write a pesticide applicator exam. This exam consists of information found in the Applicator Core Manual as well as a manual for your specific category.
Training
Courses
The Pest Management Specialist conducts Pesticide Applicator Safety Training across Newfoundland and Labrador from December to May each year. These courses are available for those requiring an agriculture, greenhouse, landscape, or structural licence. An exam is included at the end of the training course. Applicants must submit a Request for Exam Appointment at least one week before the training course starts.
To register for a course or exam-only session please view our monthly schedules below and contact the Pesticide Application Specialist to book a course/exam, obtain study materials or for additional information.
- Jan 2024 Course and CEC Schedule
- February 2024 Course and CEC Schedule
- March 2024 Course and CEC Schedule
- April 2024 Course and CEC Schedule
(Disclaimer, Schedules are subject to change depending on boardroom availability and course enrollment numbers)
Certification
Pesticide Applicator Certification
Any person who wishes to apply a Commercial or Restricted class pesticide must be a licensed applicator. This licence carries a 5-year term. This can be obtained through:
- The successful completion of a Pesticide Applicator Exam (note: a separate exam must be written for each licence category); or
- Proof of reciprocity eligibility.
Exam
To obtain the correct licensing via exam, individuals are required to:
- Submit a completed Request for Exam Appointment form. (Request for Exam Appointment 2023.pdf – fillable)
- Provide proof of payment of fees ($70.00)
- Achieve a passing mark of 75%, in both the label section of the examination, and for the overall score.
Reciprocity
A person may apply for a pesticide applicator licence through reciprocity if they already have a pesticide applicator licence in another province. Applicators from other provinces must meet the same requirements as those applicators who become certified in Newfoundland and Labrador. The applicant must submit:
- A completed Request for Reciprocity form. (Request for Reciprocity)
- Provide proof of payment of fees ($70.00)
- Copy of the examination results letter from the province in which the examination was last written.
- Copy of the pesticide applicator licence
Please note in order to be eligible for reciprocity, the applicant must have written their exam within the last 5 years.
The department will issue a Pesticide Applicator Licence, or notify the client of licence denial in writing, within 30 business days of
- completing the Pesticide Applicator Exam; or
- receiving proof of payment for licence recertification through Continuing Education Credit; or
- receiving proof of reciprocity eligibility.
Certified Vendor Certification
Those who wish to sell a Commercial or Restricted class pesticide must obtain a Certified Vendor Licence. This licence carries a 5-year term, the licence can be obtained through:
- The completion of a Certified Vendor Exam (Certified Vendor Request for Exam Appointment); or
- Proof of reciprocity eligibility (Request for Reciprocity Certified Vendor).
* Please see exam and reciprocity requirement above which also apply to those who wish to be a Certified Vendor. *
The department will issue a Certified Vendor Licence, or notify the client of licence denial in writing, within 30 business days of
- completing the Pesticide Applicator Exam; or
- receiving proof of payment for licence recertification through Continuing Education Credit; or
- receiving proof of reciprocity eligibility.
Exam and Course Fees
Payment must be submitted before the exam time is booked or course is attended. Once proof of payment and the application form has been received, the applicant will be contacted, and a time will be arranged to write the exam.
Payment can be made over the phone via Credit Card by calling the Central Cashier’s Office at (709)729-3042 or by cheque or money order made payable to Newfoundland Exchequer Account – Revenue Account # 1213-500-4140-2764.
Below please find a pricing list for study manuals, courses, exams, and licensing fees. For further information please contact the Pesticide Application Specialist.
Fees
*HST included in price of Agriculture and Greenhouse Manuals*