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Part of Pesticide use and training

Pesticide applicator training

Learn about the training required to use Schedule 1, 2 or 3 pesticides.

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Pesticide use and training

Overview

Anyone or any business employee in Alberta using a Schedule 1, 2 or 3 pesticide must hold certain qualifications regardless of if they are using the pesticides for personal or business use.

Certification and recertification

A pesticide applicator certificate is required for:

  • anyone other than a commercial agriculturist applying Schedule 1 or 2 pesticides
  • anyone applying a pesticide where the label specifies for use by “certified or authorized applicators”
  • anyone applying Schedule 3 pesticides:
    • in a rental dwelling
    • in common indoor and outdoor areas of condominiums
    • in or on the grounds of a school, hospital, nursing home or day care

These certificates are issued for up to 5 years and must be renewed prior to the expiry date. Pesticide applicator recertification involves either taking an examination or completing a continuing education program.

Event organizers can apply for continuing education credits to recognize applicator attendance at a training event that meets the requirements for pesticide applicator recertification. 

Training location

This training can be arranged with Lakeland College.

Contact Lakeland College about pesticide applicator certification or recertification:

Pesticide applicator assistants

Certified pesticide applicators may supervise up to 6 assistants at any time. These may be any combination of non-certified and authorized assistants.

  • Authorized assistants

    Authorized assistants can perform pesticide applications under the supervision of a certified applicator without requiring daily on-site supervision by a certified applicator. Pesticides that can be applied by authorized assistants without direct on-site supervision by an applicator include those listed in section 5(12) of the Environmental Code of Practice for Pesticides.

    Authorized assistants are not allowed to apply pesticides with labels that have certification statements, such as, “for use by certified or authorized applicators" or similar language.

    There are 2 ways to become an authorized assistant:

    1. Complete the pesticide applicator core examination administered through Lakeland College. Once the exam is successfully completed, Lakeland College will issue an authorized assistant certificate.
    2. Train with a certified pesticide applicator trainer and write the certification exam (administered by the trainer) to obtain your pesticide applicator certificate.

  • Non-certified assistants

    • Non-certified assistants must be at least 16 years of age and must be 18 years of age to apply Schedule 1 pesticides. 
    • Non-certified assistants are not allowed to apply pesticides with labels that have certification statements such as, “for use by certified or authorized applicators" or similar language.
    • Non-certified assistants do not require formal training or an examination, but they must be trained by a supervising applicator.

    The supervising applicator must complete a training checklist with every authorized assistant and non-certified assistant they supervise:

    • prior to any pesticide application
    • whenever the pesticide or the pesticide rate, equipment, calibration or site changes
    • at least once yearly after that

    The checklist is available at the end of the Environmental Code of Practice for Pesticides.

    There are 2 types of on-site supervision:

    1. Daily supervision
      • This applies to the supervision of non-certified assistants. The certified applicator must be physically present at least once a day at the application site to conduct a site visit to check the applications conducted by each assistant. If the assistant needs to change the pesticide, application rate, equipment and calibration, then the applicator must conduct another site visit.
    2. Direct supervision
      • This applies to all pesticide applications specified in Section 5(12) of the Environmental Code of Practice for Pesticides. The certified applicator must be physically present at the site throughout the entire application.
      • The authorized assistant can supervise a specified number of non-certified assistants provided they are onsite for the duration of the applications.

    During a site visit, the applicator must conduct various checks specified in Section 5(9) of the Environmental Code of Practice for Pesticides.

Certified pesticide trainer

Pesticide applicator train the trainer training

Applicators and college instructors wanting to train their own staff or students to be authorized assistants can become pesticide applicator trainers.

To become a pesticide applicator trainer, you must:

  • be a certified applicator, or instructor at a college or university
  • have 5 years of pesticide application experience
  • complete a 'train the trainer' in-class course

One 'train the trainer' course is usually offered annually in the winter. After successful completion of the course, Lakeland College will issue a pesticide applicator trainer certificate. This certificate is valid for 5 years.

To renew a trainer certificate, a recertification session must be attended. These are also offered annually.

To register for either of the courses, contact Lakeland College.

Farmer certificate program

Farmers who wish to use restricted pesticides or pesticides with a certification statement must have a farmer pesticide certificate.

A written exam of the course material, proctored by certified trainer, must be passed. Farmers can contact your agricultural fieldman to arrange a training session.

Acreage owners

The Acreage Owner Pesticide Program is available through Lakeland College to rural acreage owners who need access to commercial class herbicides to control weeds specified under the Weed Control Act, growing in their pastures or non-crop land.

The program is administered through the acreage owner’s local Agricultural Service Board (ASB) and the agricultural fieldmen. The participating ASB will confirm that the owner has an infestation of regulated weeds. Once that is done, the owner will be referred to Lakeland College for training.

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