Pesticides
Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License Information
Who needs a pesticide applicator license?
An individual must obtain the appropriate type of pesticide applicator license in order to purchase, use, or supervise the use of a restricted use pesticide, or any general use or restricted use pesticide when providing pesticide applications for a fee. A Commercial Applicator License in the appropriate category is required to purchase, use, or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides on your property or the property of your employer. In order to provide pesticide applications of any type of pesticide, whether general use or restricted use, to the property of another person, and collect a fee for these services, both a Commercial Applicator License and a Pesticide Contractor License are required.
Click HERE to be taken to the UGA Pesticide safety education website so you can determine which license you need and how to obtain your license.
Common Categories for Certified Pesticide Applicators
(24) Ornamental and Turf Pest Control This category includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides, or State restricted pesticide uses, to control pests in the maintenance and production of ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf.
(41) Commercial Mosquito Control This category includes employees using or supervising the use of pesticides to control mosquitoes and/or mosquito larvae on public and private grounds in Georgia.
Keeping Your License
A Commercial Pesticide Applicator License is valid for 5 years. During this time you must participate in continue education to obtain recertification hours. The number of hours needed in the 5 year duration is dependent on the category. Houston County offers Green Team and Green Up trainings to obtain recertification hours. Please stay tuned for upcoming dates.
To search of trainings offered around the state please visit http://www.kellysolutions.com/GA/Applicators/Courses/CourseIndex.asp.
Urban Ag Council
Representing the Turf and Commercial Landscape industry
Getting the Best of Pests
Offering Green Industy webinars and CEU Training Opportunites
Turfgrass
UGA Extension Turfgrass
https://extension.uga.edu/topic-areas/field-crop-forage-turfgrass-production/turfgrass.html
Professional Pest Control Recommendation
Ornamental Horticulture
UGA Extension Ornamental Horticluture
http://extension.uga.edu/agriculture/business/ornamental-horticulture/index.cfm
Commercial Edition Georgia Pest Management Handbook
The two-volume set is available for purchase. The set will include Volume 1, Volume 2, and an electronic copy (USB drive). The price also includes shipping and handling for orders within the 48 contiguous states.
Volume 1 includes recommendations for pest control on Field Corn; Cotton; Fruit & Pecans; Grain Millet; Grain Sorghum; Insecticidal Transgenic Crops (PIPs); Peanut; Soybean; Sugarcane; Sunflower; Tobacco; and Vegetables. Cultural, biological, physical, and other types of control are recommended where appropriate. Standard “front of book" material is also included.
Volume 2 includes recommendations for pest control on Animals; Alfalfa; Aquatic Environments; Canola; Clover; Humans (Mosquito Control); Non-Cropland; Ornamentals; Perennial Grass; Small Grains; Stored Products; Temporary Grazing; Trees; Turfgrass; Vertebrates (Wildlife Nuisance). Cultural, biological, physical, and other types of control are recommended where appropriate. Standard "front of book" material is also included.
The Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA) is a statewide trade association whose mission is to promote and advance the economic, lifestyle and environmental benefits of Georgia horticulture for our members, our families and our communities. Through education, legislative monitoring, certification exams, trade shows, and conferences to the horticulture-related industries in the State, the GGIA is deeply rooted in the industry and continues to grow for the betterment of the industry’s future. With members from the landscape trade, irrigation contractors, wholesale nursery growers, greenhouse operators, retail garden centers and allied sales companies, GGIA serves as an umbrella association for the entire horticulture industry.
Certification Opportunities
Certification programs are a means of verifying professional proficiency and developing professionalism in an industry. Landscape Contractors and Nurserymen are recognized for their knowledge and professionalism through the UGA administered Georgia Certified Landscape Professional (GCLP) and Georgia Certified Plant Professional (GCPP) Programs.
The GCLP and GCPP programs are self-study courses offered through the Center. The programs provide a means of advancing employee’s education and professional proficiency while minimizing time away from their business.
The certification programs were developed through a collaboration of green industry professional organizations, horticulture instructors, regulatory officials, and UGA faculty. Participants receive a 300-page reference manual, access to an on-line study course, and opportunities for hands-on reviews. There have been 1,700 graduates of the GCLP and GCPP program. They average 120 new applicants a year and currently there are 700 active applicants in process.
