Alaska Pesticide Certification and Permits
About 5 of every 50 questions on a Alaska Core practice exam come from this topic.
Sources checked
What to know
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers Alaska's pesticide rules, 18 AAC 90. Certification in the right category is needed to do or supervise custom, commercial or contract work, to act as a pesticide consultant or restricted-use pesticide dealer, and to use pesticides at schools. General-use work for hire under direct on-the-job supervision is excepted, as are school uses of general-use antimicrobials, bait-station rodenticides and ready-to-use gels. An uncertified buyer of a restricted-use product needs a certified applicator's written authorization. A workplace exemption covers general-use products on the employer's own or leased property if the employer does no pest control for others. Applicators work only in their categories, such as aquatic, aerial (manned or unmanned aircraft), non-soil fumigation and oilfield biocides. Pesticide technicians apply general-use products only, under a certified applicator who stays reachable and gives written instructions the technician carries. Under the rule, applicants must be 18, attend approved training and pass the core exam plus each category exam. Certifications last no more than three years, renew with an application and 12 approved continuing education hours, cannot be transferred, and changes are reported within 30 days. DEC may deny for false statements or other-state penalties, and gives written notice of a suspension or revocation within 10 working days. Commercial applicators carry liability insurance unless government or school employees. Aerial applications, applications to water and public programs affecting separately owned property need a DEC permit, which takes effect at least 40 days after issue, lasts up to five years and ends with a results summary due within 90 days.
Where it comes from
- 18 AAC 90.300
- 18 AAC 90.305, 90.310, 90.315
- 18 AAC 90.030; 18 AAC 90.990
- 18 AAC 90.620
- 18 AAC 90.500, 90.505, 90.510
- 18 AAC 90.530, 90.535
Try a practice question
A landscaping company's new hire sprays a general-use herbicide on customers' lawns while a certified ornamental and turf applicator directly supervises on the job. Under 18 AAC 90.300(a), must the new hire be certified?
- ANo, because general-use pesticides never require certification to apply
- BNo, general-use work under direct on-the-job supervision is excepted
- CYes, everyone who applies pesticides for hire in Alaska must be certified
- DYes, unless the work is done on property that the company itself owns
Show the answer
No, general-use work under direct on-the-job supervision is excepted. Custom, commercial or contract use needs certification unless it is general-use application under the direct, on-the-job supervision of an applicator certified in that category. General-use products still need certification in other settings, such as schools.
18 AAC 90.300(a)(5)