Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-1-13-.08

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 80-1-13-.08 - Examination Required For Commercial Applicator Permit

(1) Commercial Applicator Permit applicants shall be initially deemed to be competent when the applicant has taken and passed a written examination developed, given and graded by the Examining Board, created and existing under Code of Ala. 1975, § 2-28-2, in the category(ies), set out in Rule 80-1-13-.07 above, the applicant desires permitting. Examination scores shall be valid for (12) months after the date of examination. In addition to any other requirement, the applicant shall pay a permit fee of $45 per category for which the applicant seeks certification or recertification to the Department of Agriculture & Industries for the issuance or the reissuance of any permit.

(2) The written examination for Commercial Applicator Permit shall measure applicant's knowledge and understanding of pesticides and the use of pesticides.

(3) A practical knowledge of the principles and practices of pest control and safe use of pesticides shall be tested and this testing shall be based on examples of problems and situations appropriate to the particular category or subcategory of the applicator's certification and the following areas of competency:

(a) Label and Labeling Comprehension:

1. The general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling,

2. The understanding of instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels,

3. Classification of the product, general or restricted, and

4. Necessity for use consistent with the label.

(b) Safety Factors including:

1. Pesticide toxicity and hazard to man and common exposure routes,

2. Common types and causes of pesticide accidents,

3. Precautions necessary to guard against injury to applicators and other individuals in or near treated areas,

4. Need for and use of protective clothing and equipment,

5. Symptoms of pesticide poisoning,

6. First aid and other procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide accident, and

7. Proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing procedures and disposal methods for pesticides and used pesticide containers, including precautions to be taken to prevent children from having access to pesticides and pesticide containers.

(c) Environment. The potential environmental consequences of the use and misuse of pesticides as may be influenced by such factors as:

1. Weather and other climatic conditions,

2. Types of terrain, soil or other substrate,

3. Presence of fish, wildlife and other nontarget organisms, and

4. Drainage patterns.

(d) Pests. Factors such as:

1. Common features of pest organisms and characteristics of damage needed for pest recognition,

2. Recognition of relevant pests, and

3. Pest development and biology as it may be relevant to problem identification and control.

(e) Pesticides. Factors such as:

1. Types of pesticides,

2. Types of formulations,

3. Compatibility, synergism, persistence and animal and plant toxicity of the formulations,

4. Hazards and residues associated with use,

5. Factors which influence effectiveness or lead to such problems as resistance to pesticides, and

6. Dilution procedures.

(f) Equipment. Factors including:

1. Types of equipment and advantages and limitations of each type, and

2. Uses, maintenance and calibration.

(g) Application Techniques. Factors including:

1. Methods of procedure used to apply various formulations of pesticides, solutions and gases, together with a knowledge of which technique of application to use in a given situation,

2. Relationship of discharge and placement of pesticides to proper use, unnecessary use and misuse, and

3. Prevention of drift and pesticide loss into the environment.

(h) Applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

(4) Should an applicant fail the examination this applicant will not be permitted to be re-examined for a minimum of 10 days, unless such period is waived by Commissioner, from date of previous examination.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-1-13-.08

Filed April 19, 1982. Amended: Filed August 16, 2004; effective September 20, 2004. Amended: Filed October 24, 2008; effective November 28, 2008.

Authors: Charles H. Barnes, John P. Hagood, Robert J. Russell

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 2-27-8, 2-27-11, 2-27-57.