Commercial Pest Control Licensing in Ohio: Identifying Those in Need and Necessary Steps to Comply

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is the agency responsible for pesticide licensing and testing in the state. If you're considering a career in pesticide application or are a government agency planning pesticide applications, here's what you need to know.

Licensing Requirements

To become a licensed commercial pesticide applicator in Ohio, you must pass the Ohio commercial pesticide exams, which include the commercial core exam and at least one category exam. These exams cover state regulations, pesticide safety, and application techniques.

Ohio State University Extension offers study guides for those interested in obtaining an Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. If you hold a commercial pesticide license in another state, you may be eligible for a reciprocal license in Ohio without taking the Ohio exam. Contact the ODA for more information and a list of states with reciprocal arrangements with Ohio.

Pesticide Business Licensing

A pesticide business in Ohio is required to hold one or more of the following licenses: pesticide business license, pesticide location license, or pesticide solicitation license.

Commercial Applicator Licenses

A commercial applicator license is necessary for any pesticide applications, including those made by government agencies. Applications to schools, parks, golf courses, restaurants, food processing plants, medical facilities, and apartment complexes with more than four units require a commercial applicator license.

In addition to submitting a license renewal application and fee, licensed applicators must recertify their license every three years by obtaining a minimum of five hours of commercial recertification credit through educational programs.

Supervising Trained Servicepersons

To supervise a trained serviceperson, the licensed commercial applicator must demonstrate instruction and control, be within 25 miles or available within 2 hours when a trained serviceperson is applying a pesticide, and be employed by the same company or public agency as the trained serviceperson.

Recordkeeping

Records are required for every pesticide application in Ohio and must be recorded in English on the day of the application. All records must be submitted to a business's central pesticide business/registered location within 10 days of an application and must be kept for three years. Recordkeeping requirements for commercial categories 7 and 10 have a few differences from the recordkeeping requirements for all other categories.

Trained Servicepersons

Trained servicepersons in Ohio are required to be trained before their first occupational exposure to pesticides, and verification of training must be kept in personnel records during employment and for three years after termination.

Pesticide Applications

Pesticides include any material that repels, controls, limits, or eliminates a pest. Both general and restricted-use pesticides require a license when applied in the situations mentioned above.

Wood-Destroying Insect Diagnostic Inspections

Conducting wood-destroying insect (WDI) diagnostic inspections for real estate transactions necessitates a commercial applicator license.

For questions about licensing and exams, contact the ODA. For questions about study guides, recertification, and training opportunities, contact the Pesticide Safety Education Program at Ohio State University Extension. The "Safety Training Guide for Trained Servicepersons" is available at extensionpubs.osu.edu.

For any further queries or clarifications, feel free to reach out. We're here to help!

Commercial Pest Control Licensing in Ohio: Identifying Those in Need and Necessary Steps to Comply