250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-15-2.16

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 250-RICR-40-15-2.16 - Maintenance of Pesticide Certification and Licensing

A. All licensed and certified pesticide applicators are required to maintain competency in the use and application of pesticides. Every five years from the date of their license or certification, licensed and certified applicators must demonstrate competency by either re-examination, or by accruing the required number of credit hours through continuing education as specified for each license and certification in § 2.16(B) of this Part in order to:

1. Ensure that they continue to meet the requirements of changing technology, covering uses for which they are certified or licensed;

2. Assure that they maintain a continuing level of competence and ability to use pesticides safely and properly covering uses for which they are certified or licensed; and

3. Acquaint them with changes in Federal and State regulations.

B. Credit Hours - A standard number of credit hours will be required within every five years beginning from the date the applicators receive their initial license or certification in order for an applicator to maintain their license or certification as an applicator of pesticides. Recertification credits must be obtained by attendance at a Department approved training program. The total number of recertification credits required for each license or certification category are as follows:

1. Private Certification - Six (6) Credit Hours every five years.

2. Commercial License - Eight (8) Credit Hours every five years.

3. Commercial Certification - Eight (8) Credit Hours Per Category every five years. One credit hour equals fifty (50) consecutive minutes of continuing education training.

C. Standard for Continuing Education - The following standards will assist the licensed or certified pesticide applicator in selecting an appropriate program and the provider of education in planning and implementing continuing education programs. The over-riding consideration in determining whether a specific program qualifies as acceptable continuing education is that it be a planned program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competence of a licensed pesticide applicator.

1. Amount

a. Fifty (50) consecutive clock minutes is equivalent to one credit hour.

b. One continuing education credit unit (CEU) equals ten credit hours.

c. One semester hour equals fifteen (15) credit hours.

2. Continuing Education Provider Standards

a. Course Objectives: Objectives shall be written and be the basis for determining content, learning experience, teaching methodologies, and evaluation.

b. Subject Matter: Appropriate subject matter for continuing education purposes shall include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following:

(1) Applicable State and Federal Laws and Regulations;

(2) Integrated Pest Management;

(3) Non-chemical Alternatives;

(4) Ground Water or Surface Water Protection;

(5) Endangered Species;

(6) Pesticide Impact on Human Health;

(7) Pesticide Impact on beneficial insects, fish, birds and wildlife

(8) Label and Labeling Comprehension;

(9) Acute and Chronic Toxicity;

(10) Biological Control;

(11) Subject matter which improves competency and is not specified on the foregoing list.

c. Employees orientation or in-service presentations concerning standard operating procedures specific to the employing agency shall not be accepted for continuing education purposes.

d. Subject matter shall be described in outline form and shall include course objectives, content, time allotment, faculty and evaluation format.

e. Continuing Education providers must notify the Department a minimum of fourteen (14) days in advance of offering credit hours, location(s) and contact persons.

3. Method of Obtaining Credit Hours: workshops, lectures and seminars provided by trade associates, companies, and educational institutes are acceptable for obtaining continuing education credit hours. Continuing education credit hours may also be obtained from an academic institution, a self-study or correspondence course, and for teaching and/or publishing activities provided the following standards are adhered to:

a. Academic Course: The course must be within the framework of a curriculum that leads to an academic degree in entomology, botany, plant pathology, agriculture, pest control, toxicology, public health or is relevant to pesticide use, or any course within that curriculum that is necessary to an individual's professional growth and development.

b. Self-Study or Correspondence Course: The course must:

(1) Be developed by a professional group which is a pesticide related educational corporation or professional association;

(2) Follow a logical sequence;

(3) Involve the student by requiring active response to module materials and providing feedback;

(4) Contain a test to indicate progress and verify completion of module; and

(5) Supply a bibliography for continued study.

c. Teaching or Publication: Continuing education hours may be earned by teaching a particular course, seminar series, or workshop for the first time, delivering a paper or lecture, or publishing an article or book in pesticide use. As provided above, a course, seminar, or book may be considered for up to nine (9) continuing education hours; a published article may be considered the equivalent of up to five (5) credit hours; and a lecture or paper may be considered the equivalent of up to three (3) credit hours.

4. Education Methods

a. Learning experiences and teaching methods should be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the program.

b. Principles of adult education should be considered in the design of the program.

c. Time allotted for each activity should be sufficient for the student to meet the objectives of the program.

5. Faculty Qualifications - Faculty should be familiar with the principles of adult education and should provide documentation to the provider/student illustrating competency in the content of the planned learning experience.

6. Evaluation

a. Provision may be made for evaluating the participant's attainment of the stated student objectives/outcomes.

b. Participants may be given the opportunity to evaluate faculty, learning experiences, instructional methods, facilities and educational resources used for the offerings/programs.

7. Specific Conditions Regarding Continuing Education Requirements Certified or Licensed applicators taking courses for the purposes of obtaining a baccalaureate or higher degree in the biological sciences may meet the continuing education requirements specified in this section provided such courses equal at least the required number of hours and content of course(s) be related to pesticide or pest management topics. Other academic degree programs may qualify at the discretion of the Department. Individuals must submit copies of course transcripts to the Department to verify proof of attendance before continuing education credit is granted.

D. Licensed and certified applicators who successfully complete such a training program, as outlined in § 2.16(A) of this Part shall be issued a certificate of attendance, a copy of which will be filed with the applicators records.

E. Licensed and certified applicators who fail to satisfy the continuing education requirements as required in § 2.16(A) of this Part, shall be required to attend the appropriate core and/or category training sessions, and re-take another examination before their certification or license may be renewed.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-15-2.16