Consumer Law at Your Fingertips

Pesticides

Pesticide Applicators

Agricultural Producers

An agricultural producer:

• Must be certified to use restricted use pesticides. A producer may be certified by completing a self-study training materials and passing an open book exam. A certification is good for 5 years.
• Must be licensed and certified as an individual commercial applicator (see below) if he or she applies any pesticides as an independent contractor for hire.

An agricultural producer must comply with laws related to pesticide storage, handling, use and disposal. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) certifies producers and enforces pesticide laws. For more information, see Consumer Law topic, Pesticide Laws and Enforcement.

Commercial Application Business

License
A commercial pesticide application business must be licensed. This license requirement does not apply to:

• An agricultural producer (there are some exceptions).
• A business applying general use pesticides for itself (not for others).
• A government entity.
• An employee of a license holder.
• Doctors or veterinarians providing treatment, or assistants providing treatment under their supervision.
• Laboratory research.
• Businesses (such as janitor services) applying only germicides, sanitizers or disinfectants.

Information to Customers

A commercial application business must give a customer the following information, in writing, after each pesticide application:

• A phone number that the customer may call to reach the applicator.
• The name and license number of each individual who applied the pesticide.
• The crop, commodity or site treated.
• The location of the application site.
• The pesticide applied.
• The date and time of the pesticide application.
• The amount of pesticide applied.
• Post-application precautions.
• A copy of the pesticide label, if requested.