Pesticide applicator certification program

Anyone providing a pesticide application service in Alberta requires a Pesticide Service Registration from Alberta Environment. Registered services must have at least one certified applicator at each operation location.

Pesticide applicator certification is also required for:

  • Anyone applying Schedule 1 or 2 pesticides other than a "commercial agriculturalist";
  • Anyone applying Schedule 3 pesticides;
      -  in a rental dwelling,
      -  in the common indoor and outdoor areas of condominiums,
      -  in or on the grounds of a school, hospital, nursing home, or daycare facilities,
      -  application of pesticides on public lands. 
  • Anyone applying a pesticide where the label specifies for use by "certified or authorized applicators".

A Pesticide Applicator Certificate is issued upon successful completion of the provincial Certification Exam. Candidates wanting an Aerial Certificate must also hold a valid Flight Crew Licence issued by Transport Canada. For training materials and exam requests, call Lakeland College at 1-866-853-8646 or (780) 853-8659.

"Commercial agriculturalist" means a person who is engaged in agricultural production, but does not include a person who

    1. sells a pesticide or transfers a pesticide for sale,
    2. uses or applies a pesticide for hire or reward, or
    3. stores a pesticide to be sold, transferred, used or applied for reward.

For further information regarding Pesticide Service Registration, contact the nearest regional Alberta Environment office.

Program Structure

The Pesticide Applicator Certification Program is a collaborative effort between Lakeland College and Alberta Environment. It consists of:

    • Home Study Material
      • Available year-round
      • Requires 60-80 hours dedicated study time
      • consist of a core lesson (common to all certification categories) and a series of lessons that differ depending on the certification category
    • Classroom tutorials (optional)
      • 4 days in length
      • available at various colleges throughout Alberta
      • uses the Home Study materials as text
    • Certification exam
      • 1.5 - 4.5 hours in length
      • available primarily in an electronic writing format though paper-based exams may be scheduled based on demand
      • are written at specified proctor centres throughout Alberta
      • specific to the class(es) of certification
      • closed book

Pesticide applicator candidates may choose to challenge the exam without obtaining the Home Study course, however, the lesson material included in the course has been designed specifically to prepare prospective applicators for the exam.

Home Study Contents

The Pesticide Applicator Certificate Home Study Course consists of lesson materials and study guides. Anyone wishing to obtain a Pesticide Applicator Certificate should complete the study guides and use them to prepare for the provincial exam.

Prospective candidates may attain certification for a combination of classes. All classes obtained in Alberta require knowledge of the material presented in the core lesson. The classes of certification available include:

  • Aerial
  • Agriculture
  • Aquatic
  • Biting Fly (Mosquito Control)
  • Forestry
  • Fumigation
  • Greenhouse
  • Industrial
  • Landscape
  • Special – Interior Plantscape
  • Special – Seed Protectant
  • Special – Exterior Rodent Control
  • Structural

For more information, contact Lakeland College at (780) 853-8646 or 1-866-853-8646 (toll-free line)

Exams

Exams are based on Basic Knowledge Requirements for Pesticide Education in Canada released in 1995 in accordance with the Working Group on Pesticide Education, Training and Certification in Canada.

Provincial exams for all certificate classes (except Structural and Special: Stump Treatment) are available from Lakeland College. The exam for a Structural Certificate includes passing the "Core" certification examination available from Lakeland College and holding either:

Candidates require a grade of 70% or better in each section (Core and Category Specific Section) of the certification exam to qualify for certification. The exam for Special: Stump Treatment is available through the Industrial Vegetation Management Association at (780) 433-0838.

To arrange to write a certification exam call Lakeland College at 1-866-853-8646 (toll-free line) or (780) 853-8659. Exams are offered primarily in an electronic based format though paper-based exams may be scheduled upon sufficient demand. After exam fees have been paid candidates will receive a password and an exam writing date at the proctor centre of their choice. Successful exam candidates will be issued a Pesticide Applicator Certificate by Lakeland College.

Pesticide Applicators Certificates are valid for up to a five-year period, at which time, re-certification requirements must be met prior to re-issuing the certificate.

For further information on the Pesticide Applicator Certificate Program, contact Lakeland College at:
(780) 853-8646 or 1-866-853-8646 (toll-free line)

Supplemental Training

The tutorial is optional and is intended for people who are pursuing their Pesticide Applicator Certificate. It reinforces understanding of the Pesticide Applicator Certificate Home Study course and provides preparation for the applicator exam. The tutorial consists of a series of workshops and hands-on labs. An instructional team from government and private industry will teach the tutorial. The Pesticide Applicator Certificate Home Study course is available from Lakeland College and must be obtained and reviewed prior to enrolling in any tutorial. The exam will be written on an individual basis at a later date.

Various colleges throughout Alberta offer pesticide applicator tutorials, usually in the spring of every year, though they may be available in the fall as well. Individuals must contact the college directly to register for a tutorial.