Date last modified: 7-17-07

• Current Private Applicators
• First-time or Expired Applicators

Current Private Applicators

Permit Renewal Process

In October of the expiration year printed on the private applicator permit, OISC (Office of Indiana State Chemist) sends a letter to applicators whose permit expires December 31 of that year. If the required three programs have been attended the letter includes a permit form for the applicator to complete and a request for $20. When the completed form and fee are received OISC sends a new permit for the next five years. The private applicator has until December 31 to attended the required programs. Only 2 programs a year can be attended for credit.

Within that five-year period the private applicator has the option of attending three pesticide recertification programs sponsored by an extension educator (see Pesticide Recertification Programs). If the private applicator chooses not to attend three recertification programs by the end of the five-year permit period the applicator will need to pass the Pesticide Core exam before a new private pesticide applicator permit will be issued (see Pesticide Core exam).

Pesticide Recertification Programs

• Recertification programs are at least two hours in length on a pesticide-related topic(s). Each program will also include an approved regulatory topic.
  
• The programs are hosted by a county Extension Educator.
  
• A private applicator can attend and receive credit for a pesticide program in any county, not just their home county.
  
• Dates and locations of approved pesticide recertification programs are listed on the Private Applicator Recertification Program (PARP) web site, the Phone Line, 1-800-319-3090, and advertised through county extension offices.
  
• The private applicators in attendance need to provide their signature, printed name, private applicator permit number, or social security number on attendance sheets.
  
• The entire program must be attended in order to receive credit toward recertification.
  
• A fee of $10 is collected for each private applicator wishing to receive credit for that program. Some programs may have additional fees to cover a meal, etc. The fee can be paid by the applicator or by a sponsoring organization.
  
• Private applicators should retain their receipt for their records as proof of their attendance.
  
• Private applicators receive credit for no more than two pesticide recertification programs a year. Refunds will not be given if more than two programs are attended in a year.
  
• Refunds will not be given for more than one online program or more than three recertification programs during the five years of the permit.
  
• The program year is January 1 through December 31.
  

Online Program

One of the three recertification programs can be an online program. A maximum of two recertification programs (online or in the county) in one year can receive recertification credit.

After the $10 program fee and registering with Media Distribution Center the private applicator will receive a password and login information. The private applicator has 90 days to complete the online program.

After completing the online program the private applicator's record will be credited. The program must be completed before the permit expiration date to receive recertification credit.

Private Applicator Records

OISC maintains a database of private pesticide applicators. A private applicator record contains a permit number, address, permit expiration date, and dates of attended pesticide recertification programs.

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First-time Applicators

Anyone who does not have a current Private Applicator Permit is required to take the Pesticide Core exam.

Pesticide Core Exam
The Pesticide Core exam is required of:

1. First-time private pesticide applicators.
2. A Farmer/Grower with an expired private applicator permit.
3. Any private applicator that does not attend three pesticide recertification programs in five years.

The Pesticide Core exam is a multiple choice exam taken from the pesticide applicator core manual (PPP-C). Two hours are allowed to take the Pesticide Core exam.

The following options are available to take the Pesticide Core exam.

1. Self-study, take the exam at a regional site. No charge for exam.
2. Self-study, take the exam at a monthly exam date at Purdue University, West Lafayette campus. No charge for exam.
3. Self-study, take the exam via computer at locations around the state. Charge of $64.
4. Attend all-day training session, exam given following the training at Purdue University, West Lafayette campus. Fee of $90 includes study manual.

For further information on registration for these exam options go to the Exam site.

Extension educators do not give the Pesticide Core exam in the counties.

Those who pass the exam will be sent a private applicator permit form and a request for $20. After receiving the completed form and fee, OISC will issue the private applicator permit.

Recertification
After receiving the permit, the applicator must attend 3 pesticide recertification programs before the end of the five-year permit.