MSPCA works closely with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to ensure our members are compliant with regulations and making safe pest management applications as they work to protect the health and property of Marylanders.
MSPCA would like to remind all applicators to regularly review the products they use and ensure that each technician applying a product is appropriately certified to apply the products they are using. Additionally, ensure each technician is appropriately certified in each state where they make applications.
MDA will be updating their licensing requirements for Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) to require an applicator to be fully certified as a commercial pest control applicator in the near future. It would be a good idea for pest control companies to begin the process of getting each of their technicians fully certified. Below is a link to a document that explains the requirements to become a commercial pesticide applicator, and the process to earn a pesticide applicator license. Remember, that one of the prerequisites to hold a pesticide license is to carry general liability insurance – be sure your policy is in place and is appropriately renewed each year.
Pesticide Applicator Certification and Business Licensing
If you have already earned your pesticide applicator certification, be sure to renew your this each year. Below is a link that explains the renewal process.
It is good practice to log into the MDA website to ensure your certification was properly renewed and download your current certificate to carry with you. MDA utilizes an online system for renewals found at https://egov.maryland.gov/mda/pesticides. To log onto the site, you need your business license/permit number, and a code found on the renewal information card. Each certified applicator should receive a postcard (each June) that will provide the permit number and code needed to search for your certification. Of course, if you are certified in other states, you should do the same for each state you carry a pesticide licensure in.
If you have any questions about certification requirements, please contact MDA at (410) 841-5710.
Plan Ahead!
It may be a good idea for RUPs to only be used by a certified technician starting now. Get on track now to meet the coming changes to regulations!