In Rhode Island, a Pesticide License is required to use General Use Pesticides (GUP) commercially. Most pesticides used in landscaping: such as weed and feed products and insecticides for grub and insect control are GUP’s as well as most household and mosquito control products. In order to use Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP), applicators will need a Pesticide Certification in specific categories of use such as Turf, Termite, Right-of-Way, or Farming.
URI Pesticide Safety Exam Preparation Class
The URI Pesticide Safety Exam Preparation Class, now available via zoom, will help students understand the principles of pesticide application and RI Pesticide Control Law to prepare for the RI Department of Environmental Management’s license exam.
The class is 2.5 hours long and will consist of a live interactive online presentation covering the information needed to help applicants pass the RIDEM commercial pesticide license exam. Study materials for the pesticide license will be sent to each applicant the day of the training. The cost is $175.00. Classes are held on a monthly basis.
Registration and ManualsType of RI Pesticide Licenses
- Commercial Applicator License is required if you work for hire to apply “general use” (GUP) pesticides to control pests
- Commercial Applicator Certification is required if you work for hire to apply “restricted use” (RUP) pesticides
- Pesticide Dealer Certification is required if you sell “restricted use” (RUP) pesticides.
- Private Applicator Certification is required to use “restricted use” (RUP) pesticides on agricultural commodities (e.g. vegetables, fruit, turf). No license/certification is required for general use agricultural pesticides.
Pesticide license and class registration
To obtain a pesticide applicators license to use General Use Products (GUP)
- Sign up for URI’s online Pesticide License Exam Preparation Class: Classes are offered frequently but are not mandatory. Search online for URI Pesticide Training Schedule [enter current year].
- Register for a class.
- Take the exam via DEM’s website
Recertification
Commercial applicators are required to obtain 8 recertification credits within every 5-year period after your initial license or certification. Private applicators are required to obtain 6 recertification credits every 5-year period after your initial certification. The Pesticide Safety Exam Preparation Class will provide 3 recertification credits for licensed or private applicators. Other recertification credits are offered via the training schedule.
Category training/testing
Pesticide Certification is required to use Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP). You must pass the license exam before you take a category exam. Category testing is offered online via the RI DEM website for specific use categories (see below). Purchase self-study books for each category through Cornell University Bookstore via the RI DEM website. Private Applicators (Farmers) and Dealers should contact RIDEM for certification tests. .
Categories for certification include Farming Commodities: Small Fruit, Tree Fruit, Nursery Crops, Turf, Vegetable, and Christmas Trees, Dealers Certification, Agricultural Plants (1A), Forest (2), Shade Tree (3A), Turf and Ornamentals (3B), , Aquatic Plant (5A), Right-of-Way (6), General Pest Control (7A), Termite & Wood Destroying Organisms (7B), Vertebrate (7D), Mosquitos & Biting flies (7E), Public Health (8), Regulatory (9), Research & Demonstration (10).