This site lists current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Department of Defense (DoD) and State equivalent certification categories for personnel who require certification as pesticide applicators. DoD policy requires all non-DoD personnel who apply pesticides commercially on DoD property to be state certified in appropriate categories. Contractors for DoD pest control operations are required to provide evidence of certification for their employees in appropriate categories. Components may also determine the (appropriate) standard of training and experience for particular pest management functions to be contracted. (DOD Instruction 4150.07 E4.6).
This site will allow one to compare state certification and licensing requirements against DoD certification standards to help determine whether an individual's state certification includes categories appropriate for the pest control operation as defined by DoD policy standards. For more information on each category, click on the category title.
DoD Certification Categories
DoD Plan 4150.07-P
DoD Plan for the Certification of Pesticide Applicators
- 2 Forest Pest Control
- 3 Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
- 3a Soil Fumigation Pest Control
- 5 Aquatic Pest Control
- 6 Right-of-Way Pest Control
- 6a Grassland and Non-Crop Agricultural Pest Control
- 7 Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Control
- 7a Stored Product Fumigation Pest Control
- 8 Public Health Pest Control
- 10 Demonstration and Research Pest Control
- 11 Aerial Pest Control
To find the equivalent information for your state, select the state below:
2. Forest Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase. They must attend a training program and pass a written examination covering, but not limited to, the following areas: forest management practices, fertilization programs, plant biology, physiology and pathology, classification and mode of action of pesticides, biology and control of forest pests, and natural resources utilization.
3. Ornamental and Turf Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase. They must attend a training program and pass a written examination covering, but not limited to, the following areas: vegetation and turf management practices, fertilization programs, plant biology and physiology, classification and mode of action of herbicides, biology and control of ornamental and turf pests and diseases, weed control, and natural resources conservation programs.
3a. Soil Fumigation Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase and category 3 training. They must complete training and pass a written examination covering soil fumigation. This training will include, but not be limited to, fumigation, protective equipment for fumigation and general safety procedures, including posting, reentry and aeration, supervisory responsibilities, and application techniques appropriate to various situations.
5. Aquatic Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase. They must attend a training program and pass a written examination covering, but not limited to, the following areas: plant biology and physiology, identification and control of aquatic weeds, classification and mode of action of herbicides, and natural resources conservation programs. This category excludes applicators engaged in public health related activities. Such applicators will be covered in Public Health Pest Control.
6. Right-of-Way Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase. They must attend a training program and pass a written examination covering, but not limited to, the following areas: plant biology and physiology, identification and control of weeds, classification and mode of action of herbicides, and natural resources conservation programs.
6a. Grassland and Non-Crop Agricultural Land Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase. They must attend a training program and pass a written examination covering, but not limited to, the following areas: plant biology and physiology, identification and control of weeds, classification and mode of action of herbicides, and natural resources conservation programs as applicable to Grassland and Non-Crop Agricultural Land.
7. Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health-Related Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase. They must attend a training program and pass a written examination covering, but not limited to, the following areas: biology, identification and control of common household pests, control of vertebrate pests, control of wood destroying organisms, biology and control of termites, biology and control of stored product pests, and fumigation procedures.
7a. Stored Product Fumigation Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase and category 7 training. They must attend a training program and pass a written examination covering the fumigation of stored subsistence and other commodities. This training will include, but not be limited to, fumigation, use of personal protective equipment for fumigation and general safety procedures, including posting, monitoring, reentry and aeration, and application techniques appropriate to various situations.
8. Public Health Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must successfully complete the core phase. They must attend a training program and pass a written examination covering, but not limited to, the following areas: biology, identification and control of vectors and pests of medical importance, identification and handling of venomous animals, and control of vertebrate disease reservoirs, including rodent control techniques.
10. Demonstration and Research Pest Control. Individuals to be certified in this category must possess at least a bachelor's degree in entomology or a related discipline. Professional pest management personnel may qualify for this category by being certified in all appropriate DoD certification categories and passing written examinations for both the core and the Demonstration and Research category. Professional pest management personnel certified in this category may function as consultants only in categories in which they are certified. They will have proven that they are particularly knowledgeable in methods of pest management, and will have demonstrated competence in safe and effective use of pesticides. They must understand pesticide-organism interactions and recognize the importance of integrating pesticide use with other control measures in effective pest management programs. They will have demonstrated superior knowledge of pesticide regulations to include: pesticide registration, experimental use permits, registration to meet special or local needs (as defined in 40 CFR (reference (c)), emergency registration of pesticides, and procedures for cancellation, suspension, and rebuttable presumption. They should also exhibit knowledge of demonstration and research procedures, and the responsibilities and liabilities incumbent with individuals certified in this category.
11. Aerial Application Pest Control. Individuals certified in this category must successfully complete the core and appropriate category(s) training. They must complete a training program and pass a written examination that covers the following areas: general principles, meteorological aspects, legal aspects, environmental aspects, DoD spray systems and aircraft, aerial spray math, aerial spray maps, contingency operations, spray system calibration, swath characterization, pesticides and pesticide safety, and aerial spray in the military.