250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-15-2.7

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 250-RICR-40-15-2.7 - Categories for Commercial Applicators

A. The Director may, after a public hearing, add additional categories or subcategories as needed for the certification of commercial applicators.

B. Every commercial applicator who uses or supervises the use of a "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticide in any of the following categories and subcategories must be certified pursuant to § 2.9 of this Part for that category and sub-category. The categories and sub-categories for commercial applicators are:

2.7.1Category 1: Agricultural Pest Control

A. Category 1A - Plant - This category includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides in the production of agricultural crops, such as feed grains, forage, vegetables, fruits & nuts, as well as on grasslands and non-crop agricultural lands.

B. Category 1B - Animal - This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides on animals, such as beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, horses, goats, poultry, and livestock, and to places on or in which animals are confined. Veterinarians and physicians who only apply pesticides as drugs or medication during the course of their normal practice need not become certified (or licensed). This exclusion is not applicable to physicians and veterinarians who apply pesticides for hire, who publicly hold themselves out as pesticide applicators, or who engage in large-scale use of pesticides in this category.

2.7.2Category 2: Forest Pest Control

This category includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides in forests, forest nurseries, and forest seed producing areas.

2.7.3Category 3: Ornamental and Turf Pest Control

A. This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides as stated in the sub-categories below:

1. Category 3A - Shade Tree (Arborist) - Applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the maintenance and production of ornamental trees.

2. Category 3B - Custom Grounds - Applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the maintenance and production of ornamental shrubs, flowers and turf.

3. Category 3C - Interior Scape - Applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the maintenance and production of plants inside buildings.

2.7.4Category 4: Seed Treatment

This includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides on seeds.

2.7.5Category 5: Aquatic Pest Control

A. This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides as stated in the sub-categories below:

1. Category 5A - Aquatic Weed Control: This category includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides purposefully applied to standing or running water such as lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and streams for the purpose of controlling aquatic weed and insect pests. Applicators engaged in public health related activities included in Category 8 (§2.7.8 of this Part) are excluded.

2. Category 5B - Anti-Fouling Paints: This category includes applicators and/or employees of commercial boatyard facilities engaged in the construction, storage, maintenance, repair or refurbishing of vessels who are applying anti-fouling paints.

3. Category 5C - Sewer Root Control: Applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in the maintenance of sewer line and wastewater plant systems.

2.7.6Category 6: Right-of-Way Pest Control

This category includes commercial applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides in the maintenance of public roads, electric power lines, pipelines, railway rights-of-way of other similar areas.

2.7.7Category 7: Industrial, Structural and Health Related Pest Control

A. This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides as stated in the sub-categories below:

1. Category 7A - General Pest - Applicators who use or supervise the use of pesticides for the control of general household pests such as fleas, cockroaches, bedbugs, ants, ticks, chiggers, mites, rats, mice, yellow jackets, hornets.

2. Category 7B - Termite and Structural Pest - Applicators who use or supervise the use of pesticides for control of termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, dry rot and other wood destroying organisms.

3. Category 7C - Fumigation - Applicators who use or supervise the use of pesticides that vaporize, or are in a gaseous phase, and kill by action of a toxic gas in houses, warehouses, box cars, etc.

4. Category 7D - Vertebrate - Applicators who use or supervise the use of pesticides for the control of bats, birds, etc.

5. Category 7E - Mosquitoes and Biting Flies - Applicators who use or supervise the use of pesticides for the control of such biting or stinging arthropods such as mosquitoes, and black flies, horseflies.

6. Category 7F - Food Processing Pest Control - Applicators who use or supervise the use of pesticides to control pests in, on or around food processing plants which may include, but not be limited to bakeries, dairy product processing plants, canning and frozen food packing, confection manufacturing and meat product processing plants.

2.7.8Category 8: Public Health Pest Control

This category includes State, Federal or other government employees using or supervising the of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides in public health programs for the management and control of pests having medical and public health importance.

2.7.9Category 9: Regulatory Pest Control

This category includes State, Federal or other government employees who use or supervise the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides in the control of regulated pests.

2.7.10Category 10: Demonstration and Research Pest Control

A. This category includes:

1. Category 10A - Individuals who demonstrate the proper use and techniques of application of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides or supervise such demonstrations, including extension specialists and county agents, sales representatives demonstrating pesticide products, and those individuals demonstrating methods used in public programs and

2. Category 10B - Persons conducting field research with "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides, and, in doing so, use or supervise the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides including extension specialists and county agents, State or Federal, commercial and other persons conducting field research on or utilizing pesticides.

2.7.11Category 11: Wood Preservation

A. This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of "restricted use" or "state limited use" pesticides as stated in the subcategories below:

1. Category 11A - Pole Treatment - Applicators who use or supervise the use of pesticides for the control of fungi, and insects to utility poles and posts.

2. Category 11B - Pressure Treatment - Applicators who use or supervise the use of pesticides to preserve wood either by utilizing pressure and non-pressure processes to control fungi and insects.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-15-2.7