DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  
PESTICIDE AND PLANT PEST MANAGEMENT DIVISION  
REGULATION NO. 636. PESTICIDE APPLICATORS  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of agriculture by section 8325  
of 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.8325)  
R 285.636.1 Definitions.  
Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) "Act" means 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.8301 et seq.  
(b) "Aerial application" means the application of a pesticide by aircraft.  
(c) "Applicator" means a person who applies pesticides by any method for any  
purpose at any place.  
(d) "Concentration" means the volume of pesticide formulation and the volume of  
carrier used to create an end use dilution.  
(e) "Forest" means a concentration of trees and related vegetation in nonurban  
areas, which is sparsely inhabited, and infrequently used, by humans and which is  
characterized by natural terrain and drainage patterns.  
(f) "Fumigation" means the application of pesticide gases in sealed enclosures  
or structures, including any of the following:  
(i) Soil.  
(ii) Stored grain.  
(iii) Railway cars.  
(iv) Trucks.  
(v) Greenhouses.  
(vi) Indoor areas.  
(g) "Incidental use" means the application of a general use pesticide as an  
accompanying minor occurrence to a primary work assignment.  
(h) "Licensed commercial applicator" means the owner, operator, or manager of a  
licensed pesticide application business.  
(i) "Private registered applicator" means an applicator who applies pesticides  
as a scheduled and required work assignment for a private agricultural purpose.  
(2) The terms defined in the act have the same meanings when used in these rules.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.2 Application for certification or registration.  
Rule 2. An applicator who is required to be certified or registered under the act  
shall apply on a form prescribed by the director and pay the required fee. Commercial  
applicators shall designate the category or categories of certification or registration  
desired in accordance with R 285.636.3. The application and fee are void 6 months  
from the date the application is received.  
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History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.3  
Certification or registration categories and  
subcategories for  
commercial applicators.  
Rule 3. (1) Agricultural pest management. All of the  
following are  
subcategories of pesticide application for commercial applicators pertaining to  
agricultural pest management:  
(a) Field crops. This subcategory includes applicators who use pesticides for the  
production of field crops, such as any of the following:  
(i) Cereal grains.  
(ii) Feed grains.  
(iii) Beans.  
(iv) Soybeans.  
(v) Sugarbeets.  
(vi) Forage.  
(b) Vegetable crops. This subcategory includes applicators who use pesticides  
for the production of vegetable crops, such as any of the following:  
(i) Tomatoes.  
(ii) Potatoes.  
(iii) Snap beans.  
(iv) Celery.  
(v) Onions.  
(vi) Cucurbits.  
(vii) Cole crops.  
(viii) Sweet corn.  
(c) Fruit crops. This subcategory includes applicators who use pesticides for the  
production of tree fruit, such as any of the following:  
(i) Apples.  
(ii) Cherries.  
(iii) Pears.  
(iv) Peaches.  
(v) Plums.  
(vi) Nuts. This subcategory also includes small fruit crops, such as blueberries,  
strawberries, grapes, and raspberries.  
(d) Livestock pest management. This subcategory includes all of the following  
entities:  
(i) Applicators who use pesticides on animals, including any of the following:  
(A) Cattle.  
(B) Swine.  
(C) Sheep.  
(D) Horses.  
(E) Goats.  
(F) Other livestock.  
(G) Poultry.  
(ii) A person who uses pesticides on or in places where animals are confined.  
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(iii) Doctors of veterinary medicine who are engaged in the business of applying  
pesticides for hire, who publicly hold themselves out as pesticide applicators, or  
who are engaged in the use of pesticides aside from the normal practice of veterinary  
medicine.  
(2) Forest pest management. The following are  
subcategories  
of pesticide  
application for commercial applicators pertaining to forest pest management and forest  
products preservation:  
(a) Forest pest management. This subcategory includes commercial applicators  
who use, or supervise the use of, pesticides in any of the following areas:  
(i) Forests.  
(ii) Forest nurseries.  
(iii) Christmas tree plantations.  
(iv) Forest seed-producing areas.This subcategory does not include commercial  
applicators who use, or supervise the use of, pesticides for wood preservation of forest  
products.  
(b) Forest products preservation. This subcategory of forest pest management  
includes commercial applicators who use, or supervise the use of, pesticides for  
preserving wood products.  
(3) Turf grass, ornamental plants, and shade tree pest management.This category  
includes the following subcategories of pesticide application for applications pertaining  
to turf grass pest management and ornamental plants and shade tree pest management:  
(a) Turf grass pest management. This subcategory includes  
pesticides to manage pests of turf grasses.  
applicators who use  
(b) Ornamental plants and shade tree pest management.  
This subcategory  
includes applicators who use pesticides to manage pests of ornamental plants in  
exterior areas, such as evergreens, shrubs, and shade trees.  
(4) Seed treatment. This category includes applicators who use pesticides on any of the  
following:  
(a) Seeds.  
(b) Corms.  
(c) Tubers.  
(d) Rhizomes.  
(e) Stolons.  
(f) Other plant parts used for propagation.  
(5) Aquatic pest management. This category includes applicators who use pesticides  
which are applied to lakes, ponds, streams, marshes, or ditches and tributaries which  
flow into them or which are applied to surfaces that contact such bodies of water to  
manage aquatic pests. This category does not include applicators who engage in  
mosquito management. This category includes the following subcategories:  
(a) Swimming pools. This subcategory includes applicators who use pesticides  
in maintaining public or private swimming pools to manage algae, bacteria, or other  
swimming pool pests.  
(b) Microbial pest management. This subcategory includes  
applicators who use  
pesticides in any of the following to manage bacteria, fungi, algae, or viruses:  
(i) Cooling towers.  
(ii) Air washers.  
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(iii) Evaporative condensers.  
(iv) Pulp and paper mills.  
(v) Sewer treatment.  
(vi) Other applications.  
(c) Sewer line pest management. This subcategory includes applicators who use  
pesticides in sewer lines for root control.  
(6) Right-of-way pest management. This category includes applicators who use  
pesticides in the maintenance of any of the following:  
(a) Public roads.  
(b) Ditch banks.  
(c) Electric power lines.  
(d) Pipelines.  
(e) Railway rights-of-way.  
(f) Parking lots.  
(g) Tennis courts.  
(h) Similar noncrop areas.  
(7) Industrial, institutional, structural, and health-related pest management. This  
category includes the following subcategories:  
(a) General pest management. This subcategory includes applicators who use  
pesticides in, on, or around any of the following:  
(i) Food-handling establishments.  
(ii) Human dwellings.  
(iii) Institutions, such as schools and hospitals.  
(iv) Industrial establishments, including warehouses and grain elevators.  
(v) Any other structure or adjacent areas, including public or private vehicles.  
(vi) The treatment of areas or structures set forth in paragraphs (i) to  
(v) of this subdivision for indoor mosquito management.  
(vii) The protection of stored, processed, or manufactured products.This subcategory  
does not include applicators who engage in the management of wood-destroying  
organisms as specified in subdivision (b) of this subrule.  
(b) Wood-destroying organism management.  
This  
subcategory includes  
applicators who use pesticides in, on, or around structures for the management of  
wood-destroying pests, such as any of the following:  
(i) Termites.  
(ii) Powder post beetles.  
(iii) Carpenter ants.  
(iv) Wood-destroying fungi.  
(c) Reserved.  
(d) Vertebrate pest management. This subcategory includes applicators who use  
pesticides to manage vertebrate pests, such as birds, rats, or mice.  
(e) Interior plant pest management. This subcategory includes applicators who  
use pesticides in the maintenance of plants at inside locations, such as any of the  
following:  
(i) Homes.  
(ii) Offices.  
(iii) Shopping malls.  
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(iv) Stores.  
(v) Similar sites.  
(f) Mosquito management. This subcategory includes applicators  
pesticides to manage mosquitoes in an outside environment.  
who use  
(g) Domestic animal pest management. This subcategory  
includes applicators  
who use pesticides to control pests associated with small domestic animals, such as  
cats and dogs.  
(8) Public health pest management. This category includes state, federal, or other  
government employees who use pesticides in public health  
programs for the  
management of pests that have medical and public health importance, excluding  
mosquitoes.  
(9) Regulatory pest management. This category includes state, federal, or other  
government employees who use pesticides in the management of regulated pests.  
(10) Demonstration and research pest management. This category includes  
individuals who demonstrate to the public the proper use, and techniques of  
application of pesticides, who supervise the demonstrations, or who conduct field  
research with pesticides and, in so doing, use restricted-use pesticides.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.4 Standards for certification of commercial applicators.  
Rule 4. Commercial applicators shall demonstrate a practical knowledge, by written  
examination, of the principles and practices of pest management, pesticide label  
comprehension, and the safe use of pesticides, including the general standards  
applicable to all categories and the standards specifically identified for each category  
or subcategory designated by the applicant, as set forth in 40 C.F.R. '171.4 and these  
rules. These standards are adopted in these rules by reference and are available from  
the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office,  
Washington, DC 20402, at no cost, or from the Michigan Department  
of  
Agriculture, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, Michigan 48909, at no cost. Applicators  
who apply pesticides by aircraft or who apply fumigants shall be examined on the  
additional standards specifically identified for  
specified in subdivision (c) of this rule.  
the methods of application as  
The standards for certification are as follows:  
(a) All subcategory standards shall include a practical knowledge of all of the  
following:  
(i) Relevant and associated pests.  
(ii) Environmental fate of pesticides.  
(iii) Pesticide formulations in use and  
calibration, and methods of application.  
application  
equipment, equipment  
(iv) Safety procedures to protect nontarget organisms.  
(v) Integrated pest management principles.  
(vi) Container disposal and storage.  
(vii) Worker safety.  
(b) Subcategory standards for particular categories shall be as follows:  
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(i) Field crops (R 285.636.3(1)(a)), vegetable crops (R 285.636.3(1)(b)), fruit crops  
(R 285.636.3(1)(c)), and animal subcategories (R 285.636.3(1)(d)). Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of all of the following:  
(A) The relevant crops or agricultural practices.  
(B) Pesticide residues.  
(C) Phytotoxicity where applicable.  
(D) Precautions necessary to reduce farm worker exposure to pesticides.  
(ii) Forest pest management category (R  
285.636.3(2)).  
Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of all of the following:  
(A) Forest pests and their life cycles and management.  
(B) A general understanding of forest ecosystems.  
(C) The potential effect of pesticide applications on nontarget organisms.  
(iii) Forest products preservation subcategory (R 285.636.3(2)(a)).Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of all of the following:  
(A) The principles and practices associated with the safe  
preservatives.  
use  
of wood  
(B) Obtaining site information.  
(C) Protecting wildlife and endangered species.  
(D) Maintaining surface water quality.  
(iv) Turf grass pest management subcategory (R 285.636.3(3)(a)).Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of all of the following:  
(A) The maintenance of turf.  
(B) Phytotoxicity.  
(C) Lawn grass species.  
(D) Physiological conditions.  
(E) The necessary procedures and precautions associated with the application of  
pesticides for the maintenance of lawn grasses.  
(v) Ornamental plants and shade tree pest management subcategory (R  
285.636.3(3)(b)). Applicators shall demonstrate a practical  
knowledge  
of the  
maintenance of ornamental plants and shade trees, including all of the following:  
(A) The physiologic conditions of ornamental plants and shade trees.  
(B) The calibration techniques unique to ornamental plant and shade tree pest  
management.  
(C) The necessary procedures and precautions associated with the application of  
pesticides for the maintenance of shade trees and ornamental plants in the urban  
environment.  
(vi) Seed treatment subcategory (R 285.636.3(4)). Applicators shall demonstrate a  
practical knowledge of the methods required to prohibit the contamination of  
grains that may be utilized for feed or food purposes.  
(vii) Aquatic subcategory(R 285.636.3(5)). Applicators shall demonstrate a practical  
knowledge of all of the following:  
(A) The potential for human exposure after the pesticide application.  
(B) The potential for surface or groundwater contamination.  
(C) The requirement for obtaining permits from the Michigan  
environmental quality.  
department of  
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(viii) Swimming pools subcategory (R  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of the application techniques  
285.636.3(5)(a)).  
Applicators shall  
and water  
management principles associated with the treatment of swimming pools and a practical  
knowledge of the effects of swimming pool treatment on humans.  
(ix) Microbial pest management subcategory(R 285.636.3(5)(b)).Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of the principles and practices associated with  
pesticide use to manage microbes, including application rates and pesticide efficiency  
use. In addition, applicators shall have knowledge of their responsibility to obtain  
discharge permits from the appropriate agencies.  
(x) Sewer line pest management subcategory (R 285.636.3(5)(c)).Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of principles and practices associated with  
pesticide use to manage root growth in sewer lines.  
(xi) Right-of-way pest management subcategory (R 285.636.3(6)).Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of vegetation management principles with an  
emphasis on application techniques to protect surface water.  
(xii) General pest management subcategory (R 285.636.3(7)(a)). Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of all of the following:  
(A) A wide variety of pests, including all of the following with respect to pests:  
(1) Their life cycles.  
(2) Types of formulations appropriate for their management.  
(3) Methods of application that avoid all of the following:  
(a) The contamination of food.  
(b) Damage and contamination of habitat.  
(c) Exposure of people and pets.  
(B) The specific factors that may lead to a hazardous  
condition, including  
exposure to pesticides in the various situations encountered in this category.  
(C) Indoor environmental conditions and the necessary  
precautions associated with the application of pesticides for the management of  
indoor pests in an urban environment.  
procedures and  
(xiii)  
Wood-destroying  
organism  
management  
subcategory  
(R  
285.636.3(7)(b)). Applicators shall demonstrate a practical knowledge of all of the  
following:  
(A) Wood-destroying organisms and their life cycles.  
(B) The proper methods of pesticide application.  
(C) The specific factors that may lead to human exposure or to contamination  
of groundwater, indoor air, or other components of the environment.  
(xiv) Vertebrate pest management subcategory (R 285.636.3(7)(d)).Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of the principles associated with the management  
of birds and other vertebrates, such as rats, mice, bats, tree squirrels, ground squirrels,  
skunks, moles, and snakes, and shall have knowledge of all of the following:  
(A) Domestic animal, wildlife, and endangered species protection.  
(B) Department of natural resources permits.  
(C) Practices and precautions pertinent to the issues concerning the application of  
pesticides in urban environments.  
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(xv) Interior plant pest management subcategory (R 285.636.3(7)(e)).Applicators  
shall demonstrate a practical knowledge of physiological conditions associated with  
the maintenance of interior plants, including all of the following:  
(A) Plant phytotoxicity and persistence of pesticides.  
(B) Indoor air contamination.  
(C) Drift.  
(D) Calibration.  
(E) General hazards to humans in an enclosed environment.  
(xvi) Mosquito management subcategory (R 285.636.3(7)(f)).Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of the principles associated with the management  
of mosquitoes, including all of the following:  
(A) Their life cycles.  
(B) Types of formulations appropriate for their management.  
(C) Methods of application.  
(D) Possible effects on water quality.  
(E) The potential health effects on humans in the target area.  
(xvii) Domestic animal pest management (R 285.636.7(g)).  
Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of the management of pests associated with small  
domestic animals, including, but not limited to, fleas and ticks.  
(xviii) Public health pest management (R  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of the management of pests that have medical and  
public health importance, including their life cycles and habitats, and have a  
285.636.3(8)).  
Applicators shall  
practical knowledge including all of the following:  
(A) A variety of indoor and outdoor environments.  
(B) Effects of large-scale pesticide application on human populations.  
(C) The necessary procedures and precautions associated with the application of  
pesticides in an urban environment.  
(xix) Regulatory pest management (R  
285.636.3(9)).  
Applicators shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of regulatory pest management, including all of  
the following:  
(A) Specific life cycles of the pest to be  
management techniques.  
managed  
and appropriate  
(B) The potential impact of pesticide applications to nontarget areas or organisms.  
(C) Structure and responsibility of cooperating state and federal agencies.  
(D) General public notification procedures.  
(xx) Demonstration and research pest management (R 285.636.3(10)).Applicators shall  
be certified in the category or subcategory as required by R 285.636.3 and shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge, including all of the following:  
(A) Procedures required for conducting demonstration and research plots.  
(B) Various methods of data analysis.  
(C) Necessary precautions for ensuring commodity security and destruction, if required.  
(D) Detailed knowledge of the state and federal  
process.  
pesticide registration  
(c) Additional certification standards are as follows:  
(i) Aerial applicators. Applicators who apply pesticides  
by  
aircraft shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of the techniques of aerial application and  
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applicable federal aviation administration regulations. Practical knowledge is required  
concerning nontarget injury that may result from the aerial application of pesticides.  
(ii) Fumigation. Applicators shall demonstrate a practical knowledge of the principles  
and methods of fumigation. Practical knowledge is required concerning all of the  
following:  
(A) Toxicity.  
(B) The potential for environmental contamination.  
(C) Applicator personal protection.  
(D) Human exposure.  
(E) Nontarget injury that may result from the use of pesticide gases  
environment.  
in any  
(d) Applicators who request certification for a method of application that differs in  
part from one of the established categories set forth in R 285.636.3 shall  
demonstrate a practical knowledge of such standards determined by the director  
as being applicable to the method  
of application described by the applicant. Such  
standards prescribed by the director shall include the general standards applicable to  
all categories and the standards specifically identified as appropriate for the  
applicant's method of application.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.5 Standards for certification of private applicators.  
Rule 5. Private applicators shall demonstrate a practical knowledge of the principles  
and practices of pest management and the safe use of pesticides, including the  
standards for certification of private applicators set forth in 40 C.F.R. '171.5. These  
standards are adopted in these rules by reference and are available from the  
Superintendent  
of  
Documents, United States Government Printing Office,  
Washington, DC 20402, at no cost, or from the Michigan Department of Agriculture,  
P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, Michigan 48909, at no cost. In addition, private  
applicators  
shall demonstrate a practical knowledge of the additional standards specifically  
identified for those methods of application in R 285.636.4(c). Private  
who apply pesticides by aircraft or apply pesticides by fumigation  
applicators include apiarists who apply restricted use pesticides to their own colonies  
for the management of bee diseases or parasites. Bee disease is defined in section 1 of  
1976 PA 412, MCL 286.801.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.6 Certification examinations.  
Rule 6. (1) Certification examinations shall be conducted at a time and place  
designated by the director. A score of 70% or above is required for passing any written  
examination. A score of less than 70% on the general standards examination shall  
result in denial of certification. Failure of a category or method of application  
examination shall result in denial of certification for that category or method of  
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application. A reexamination may be requested and shall be given within the 1-year  
application period.  
(2) An oral fact-finding interview for private applicators, as provided by the act, shall  
consist of oral standardized questions developed by the Michigan state university  
cooperative extension service and approved by the pesticide advisory committee.  
Such questions shall address the standards of competency for private applicators  
set forth in the provisions of 40 C.F.R. S171.5. The oral fact finding interview  
may restrict the applicator to use only a certain type of equipment or pesticide.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 285.636.7 Certificate of competence;  
credentials;  
issuance; expiration;  
renewal; replacement; certification in additional category or method.  
Rule 7. (1) A qualified applicant for initial certification or registration shall be  
issued certification or registration credentials that are valid until December 31 of  
the third year after the year of issuance unless the director suspends or revokes the  
credential.  
A qualified applicant for recertification or reregistration shall be issued  
certification or registration credentials that are valid until December 31 of the third  
year after expiration of the previous credential unless the director suspends or revokes  
the credential.  
(2) Commercial applicator certification and registration credentials shall show the  
categories and applicable methods of application specified in R 285.636.4(b) and R  
285.636.4(c) for which the person has demonstrated competence.  
(3) Private applicator certification or registration  
credentials  
shall show the  
applicable methods of application specified in R 285.636.4(c) for which the person has  
demonstrated competence.  
(4) Certification or registration may be renewed by applying on a form prescribed by  
the director, by submitting the application fee prescribed by the act, and upon a  
determination that the applicant  
has met the qualifications established by the act and these rules. To assure that  
certified or registered applicators maintain competence in the use of pesticides, the  
director, as a condition for renewal, may require verifiable attendance at designated  
training meetings or may require an examination on changes in pesticide application  
technology or use patterns pertinent to the certification or registration category, or  
may require both.  
(5) A certified or registered applicator who desires certification or registration in  
an additional category may apply on a form prescribed by the director. The application  
form shall be accompanied by the application fee established by the act. Upon  
satisfactory completion of the examination or training for the category or method as  
required by R 285.636.6, and upon surrender of the certification or registration  
credential,  
the applicant shall be issued a replacement certification or registration  
credential that shows the additional category and the expiration date of the replaced  
credential.  
(6) An applicant who desires to renew his or her credential by seminar shall earn all  
renewal credits before the expiration of the credential.  
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History: 1979 AC; 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.8 Registered applicator standards.  
Rule 8. (1) All registered applicators shall demonstrate, by examination,  
practical knowledge of the basic principles and practices of pest management,  
pesticide label comprehension, and the safe use of pesticides as set forth in R  
285.636.4 and receive verifiable training as set forth in subrule (3) of this rule.  
(2) All of the following general standards will be the basis of the examination:  
(a) Appropriate procedures for the application of pesticides, including both of the  
following:  
(i) Knowledge of various formulations of pesticides and  
application.  
proper  
methods of  
(ii) The relationship of pesticide application to proper use, unnecessary use, and  
misuse.  
(b) Label and labeling comprehension, including all of the following:  
(i) The general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling.  
(ii) Understanding instructions, classifications, warnings, terms, symbols, and  
other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels.  
(iii) Understanding the requirements of pesticide use consistent with the label.  
(c) Pest identification and pest management, including both of the following:  
(i) Knowledge of general insect, disease, and weed characteristics  
identification.  
used for  
(ii) Integrated pest management and its techniques.  
(d) Safety factors, including all of the following:  
(i) Pesticide toxicity and common routes of exposure.  
(ii) Precautions necessary to prevent injury to applicators and other individuals,  
including the appropriate use of protective clothing and equipment.  
(iii) Symptoms of pesticide poisoning.  
(iv) First aid and means of obtaining emergency medical treatment in case of an  
accident.  
(e) The potential environmental consequences of the use and misuse of pesticides  
as they may be influenced by such factors as environmental fate of pesticides and their  
effect on nontarget organisms.  
(f) Applicable state and federal laws and regulations.  
(3) Training programs for commercial registered applicators shall be approved by  
the director, be category-specific, and, include training in all of the following areas:  
(a) Relevant and associated pests commonly encountered by the applicator.  
(b) The environmental fate of pesticides.  
(c)  
Pesticide formulations in use as well  
as  
application equipment,  
equipment calibration, and methods of application.  
(d) Safety procedures to protect nontarget organisms.  
(e) Integrated pest management principles.  
(f) Container disposal and storage.  
(g) Worker safety.  
(4) Noncertified or nonregistered applicators may apply general use pesticides as  
part of an approved training program for a period of 2 consecutive weeks, while  
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under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. The approved trainer shall  
notify the director when the 2-week pesticide application period begins using a form  
and procedure approved by the director. Noncertified and nonregistered applicators  
shall not apply pesticides until the director has received the notification prescribed  
in this rule. The noncertified or nonregistered applicator shall have in his or her  
possession a copy of the notification form and display the copy to the director upon  
request.  
(5) Training programs for private registered applicators shall be approved by the  
director and may include training courses as offered by the cooperative extension  
service that address relevant topics.  
History: 1979 AC; 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.9 Examination requirements for registration.  
Rule 9. (1) Examination of registered commercial applicators shall be by either of the  
following methods:  
(a) Written examination administered by the director or his or her representative.  
A score of 70% is required for passing.  
(b) At the discretion of the director, an  
administered when a person is unable to demonstrate  
oral  
fact-finding  
interview may be  
by written  
competency  
examination. The person will be limited to a specific general-use pesticide and a  
specific application technique. The person shall be directly supervised by a certified  
applicator at all times.  
(2) Private registered applicator examinations may include 1 of the following:  
(a) Self-study and examination administered by the director or his or her designee. A  
score of 70% is required for passing.  
(b) Classroom training and examination administered by the director or his or her  
designee. A score of 70% is required for passing.  
(c) An oral fact-finding interview administered by an authorized representative of  
the director when a person is unable to demonstrate competence by examination or  
classroom training.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 285.636.10 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.11 Standards for trainers of certified and registered applicators.  
Rule 11. (1) A trainer of certified or registered applicators shall be a certified  
applicator with a minimum of 2 years of experience and shall have successfully  
completed a training program approved by the director. The trainer's program will  
include an overview of all of the following:  
(a) The required program content for pesticide applicator training.  
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(b) Procedures for verifying, and the responsibility of the trainer to verify, training.  
(c) Submission of necessary forms for the registration or certification of applicators.  
(d) The various methods of effective communication for the presentation of educational  
material.  
(2) A trainer of certified or registered applicators may also be any other person who is  
authorized by the director.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 285.636.12 Application for license.  
Rule 12. (1) Application for a license to engage in the business of applying  
pesticides shall be made on a form prescribed by the director. The applicant shall be a  
certified applicator or shall employ a certified applicator to apply, or supervise the  
application of, pesticides. The certified applicator named on the license application  
shall not represent more than 1 licensee or place of business. The licensee shall notify  
the director of any changes relative to the status of a certified applicator named on  
the license application.  
(2) A license application shall be accompanied by a certificate from an insurance  
company or an approved surplus lines company authorized to do business in this state  
which sets forth the insurance limits prescribed in R 285.636.14. The certificate shall be  
in effect for the entire license period or for the generally recognized time period in  
which the pesticide applications may occur.  
(3) When an assumed name is used on an application, then the application for a license  
shall be accompanied by a registered assumed name certificate.  
(4) A foreign corporation shall attach to the license application a certificate of  
authority to transact business in the state of Michigan which is issued from the  
corporation and securities bureau of the department of consumer and industry  
services under 1972 PA 284, MCL 450.1101 et seq.  
(5) A new licensee shall comply with the experience requirements  
set forth in  
section 8313 of the act. The director shall review and verify the contents of a notarized  
statement that documents that the applicator has complied with the experience  
requirements as required by the act. Any false or misleading statements will be cause for  
license denial, suspension, or revocation.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.13 License renewals.  
Rule 13. A license may be renewed on the form prescribed by the director if  
the applicant meets all of the qualifications set forth in the act and these  
rules.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 285.636.14 Financial responsibility.  
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Rule 14. (1) A licensed commercial applicator shall maintain comprehensive  
general liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage during the licensing  
period or during the period of time necessary to span a seasonal operation, except as  
provided in subrule (5) of this rule.The insurance shall not exclude coverage for  
bodily injury and property damage which arise from pesticide applications.  
(2) Minimum insurance coverage for persons who are engaged in aerial application,  
space fumigation, or right-of-way pest management shall be $100,000.00 for each  
occurrence for bodily injury and $25,000.00 for each occurrence for property damage  
or a combined single limit of $300,000.00 for bodily injury and property damage.  
(3) Minimum insurance for persons who are licensed in a category or subcategory  
described in R 285.636.3 shall be $100,000.00 for each occurrence for bodily  
injury and $25,000.00 for each occurrence for property damage, except as  
prescribed in subrule (2) of this rule.  
(4) If an applicant is qualified for a license in 2 or more application categories with  
different minimum financial responsibilities, the greater requirement shall apply.  
(5) A single comprehensive general liability insurance policy, as prescribed in  
subrules (2) and (3) of this rule, may be written to provide financial responsibility  
coverage for more than 1 licensed place of business owned and operated by the  
same person.  
(6) If the required insurance coverage for a license expires or is canceled during  
the license period, the license shall be suspended and the licensee shall surrender the  
license to the director for the remainder of the licensing period or until such time as the  
financial responsibility requirements have been complied with.  
History: 1991 AACS.  
R 285.636.15 Commercial applicator records.  
Rule 15. (1) All commercial applicators shall maintain  
verifiable records of  
restricted-use pesticide applications for a period of not less than 3 years following the  
application. The records shall show all of the following information:  
(a) The name and EPA registration number of the pesticide applied.  
(b) Concentration of the pesticide applied.  
(c) The amount of pesticide end use dilution applied.  
(d) The target pest, purpose, or crop site.  
(e) The date the pesticide was applied.  
(f) The address or location of pesticide application.  
(g) The method and the rate of application.  
(2) All commercial applicators shall maintain verifiable records of general-use  
pesticide applications for a period of not less than 1 year following the application.  
Such records shall show all of the following information:  
(a) The name and EPA registration number of the pesticide applied.  
(b) The concentration of the pesticide applied.  
(c) The amount of pesticide end use dilution applied.  
(d) The target pest, purpose, or crop site.  
(e) The date the pesticide was applied.  
(f) The address or location of pesticide application.  
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(g) The method and the rate of application.  
(3) It is the responsibility of the employer of the commercial applicator to maintain the  
verifiable record at the place of business. The application records shall be made  
available, upon request, to an authorized representative of the director during normal  
business hours.  
History: 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.  
R 285.636.16 Supervision of noncertified applicators.  
Rule 16. (1) A certified applicator who functions in a supervisory role shall be  
responsible for the actions of a noncertified applicator under his or her instruction or  
management.  
(2) A certified applicator shall provide verifiable instructions for the application of a  
restricted-use pesticide applied by  
a
noncertified applicator under his or her  
management when the certified applicator is not required to be physically present.  
The verifiable instructions may be either oral or written and shall include instructions  
for contacting the certified applicator.  
(3) The certified applicator shall be physically present to supervise  
the application of a pesticide by a noncertified applicator if such presence is required  
by the label of the pesticide being applied, by this act, or by the director.  
(4) Each pilot who applies pesticides from an aircraft shall be certified pursuant to  
the applicable provisions of R 285.636.4.  
History: 1991 AACS.  
R 285.636.17 Authorization for application of general-use pesticides by noncertified  
or nonregistered applicators.  
Rule 17. Upon written application to the director and after review by the pesticide  
advisory committee, the director may authorize the incidental use of general-use  
pesticides by noncertified or nonregistered applicators if the person is not regularly  
engaged to apply pesticides for hire, the pesticide application is not the primary work  
assignment, and the pesticide application is an integral part of another operation.  
History: 1991 AACS.  
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