Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Commercial Pesticide Applicators
- Who should be a commercial applicator?
- What are some examples of businesses that require a commercial pesticide applicator?
- Are there additional businesses or organizations that require a commercial pesticide applicator?
- What are some examples of government agencies that require a licensed applicator?
- Does everyone who uses a pesticide while working for a business or government agency need to be licensed?
- Who is a trained serviceperson?
- Does a business or agency need a commercial applicator license if we are not using restricted-use pesticides?
- Our company headquarters has a maintenance team that only takes care of company property. Do we need a licensed applicator?
- What are some of the requirements that go with being a licensed applicator?
Who should be a commercial applicator?
A commercial applicator applies pesticides on land owned by someone else and usually for hire. Also includes applicators who work for a government agency like a township, city, school district, park district, etc., and applicators who apply to "publicly accessible" sites.
What are some examples of businesses that require a commercial pesticide applicator?
- Pest control operators
- Lawn applicators
- Landscapers
- Agricultural custom applicators
- Right-of-way applicators
Are there additional businesses or organizations that require a commercial pesticide applicator?
Yes. Businesses or organizations that are considered public sites require a licensed applicator:
- Apartment complexes with 4 or more units
- Restaurants and food service establishments
- Day cares with preschools
- Hospitals and medical centers
What are some examples of government agencies that require a licensed applicator?
- Schools: K-12, colleges and universities
- Municipalities: villages, towns and cities
- Townships and Counties
- State of Ohio agencies
Does everyone who uses a pesticide while working for a business or government agency need to be licensed?
No, Ohio law allows nonlicensed users to operate if they are under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator. The licensed applicator must work for the same business or agency and have a supervisory role. However, the nonlicensed applicator must be a trained serviceperson.
Who is a trained serviceperson?
Pesticide handlers who are not licensed and are working under the "direct supervision" of a licensed commercial applicator must be trained before they perform any pesticide handling task. A training manual is available from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, your local Ohio State University Extension office, or is available to download (pdf) from our Website free of charge.
Does a business or agency need a commercial applicator license if we are not using restricted-use pesticides?
Yes, even if you are using general use pesticides such as a weed and feed lawn application, glyphosate products, and even rodent baits and aerosol sprays.
Our company headquarters has a maintenance team that only takes care of company property. Do we need a licensed applicator?
No. However, it is recommended.
What are some of the requirements that go with being a licensed applicator?
You must keep records of applications for at least a 3-year period and have them available to ODA upon request. The information required for application records is specified in the regulations. Lawn applicators have lawn notification regulations that require such things as posting signs, leaving information with customers and notifying abutting residents if requested in writing. Commercial applicators must notify ODA if their pesticide applications allegedly result in human illness requiring medical attention or property damage in excess of $500.
