Certification of commercial applicators

A. No person shall apply or supervise the application of any restricted use pesticide as a commercial applicator unless that person has the proper certification. Certification shall be issued only after the applicant has satisfactorily passed an examination. The commissioner shall establish categories and subcategories for certification in different areas of commercial application and shall establish specific standards for each category and subcategory. Certification shall be valid for three years and shall be renewed in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner. The commissioner by rule shall provide for the issuance of certification cards every three years to coincide with the certification renewal period. Commercial applicators may supervise the ground application of restricted use pesticides within the commercial applicator's certification by competent uncertified individuals who are under the direct supervision of the commercial applicator. Commercial applicators shall not supervise the aerial application of any pesticide by any uncertified person. B. No person shall apply or supervise the application of any herbicide, rodenticide, insecticide, or restricted use pesticide, on a non-fee basis for grass and weed control, and rodent and general pest control in, on, or around structures or grounds of government subsidized and administered housing and multiplex housing, unless that person owns, leases, or rents the property or has proper certification as provided in Subsection A of this Section and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.