Pesticide Safety for the 21st Century:Proposed Changes to Pesticide Education & Safety Training and Applicator Certification Programs

Certification and Training Assessment Group

January 1999

CTAG Review

Certification & Training Advisory Group (CTAG) established in 1996 to:– Review previous program evaluations– Explore proposals– Determine changing needs of C&T

programs– Provide direction for future of the pesticide

applicator C&T program.

CTAG Members

CTAG members represent: – EPA – USDA, CES– Pesticide State Lead Agencies – Tribes– Armed Forces Pest Management Board – AAPCO – ASPCRO – AAPSE

Proposed Changes

Changes being proposed to:– FIFRA– Regulations (40 CFR 171)– EPA and USDA activities– Activities in conjunction with states, tribes,

and territories. Significant long-term changes may also

require changes to state, tribe, and territorial laws and regulations

Proposed Changes (cont’d.)

Preliminary Report and Executive Summary issued in January 1999 (available at http://aapse.ext.vt.edu)

Changes proposed in five goal areas Proposals requiring difficult or long-term

changes and extensive dialogue and feedback with stakeholders are marked with an arrow ()

Five Goals

1. Reduce risks to the public from pesticide use.

2. Provide high quality pesticide education and safety training programs.

3. Improve the certification and recertification programs and processes.

4. Ensure adequacy and equity of funding.

5. Improve the efficiency of program organization and operations.

Goal 1: Reduce Risks to the Public

Initiate a National Consumer Education Program

Expand regulatory scope of pesticide applicator C&T program. Cover all pesticide applicators who apply pesticides as part of occupational responsibilities

Goal 1 (cont’d.)

Integrate WPS training requirements with new applicator training program

Consider a tiered classification, e.g.: – consumer/homeowner use products– general pesticides for occupational use– restricted use pesticides– restricted, “prescription use” products

Change name of C&T program (e.g., PESTAC Program)

Goal 2: High QualityEducation & Training

Update core training requirements, establish national model curriculum

Coordinate development and review of training materials

Goal 2 (cont’d.)

Improve skills of trainers/educators Establish network of subject matter experts Develop training materials in electronic,

modular formats Establish national Web site directory of

training materials

Goal 3: Improve Certification & Recertification Programs

Establish prerequisites for certification Require continuing education program Require written exam for all applicators Require use of validation process for all

exams Facilitate reciprocity agreements

Goal 3 (cont’d.)

Establish national 5-year maximum recertification period

Upgrade content of certification exam Update exams along with materials Establish exam database

Goal 3 (cont.d)

Fund the purchase of electronic grading machines

Maintain information on licensing software Develop or improve Web pages Share policies and experiences on ADA

Goal 4: Ensure Adequate, Equitable Funding

Change federal funding formula for SLAs Change federal funding formula for CES Assess pesticide registration fee to help cover

program costs Explore non-traditional sources of funding Provide USDA funding for CES program

offices

Goal 4 (cont’d.)

Provide information on use of EPA regional discretionary funds

Use common definition of “certified applicators”

Share information on sources of supplemental funding

Goal 5: Improve Program Efficiency

Develop national tool to measure and evaluate program success

Improve capabilities for assessing program effectiveness

Goal 5 (cont’d.)

Improve program cooperation among implementing agencies

Fund pilot projects that explore innovative evaluation tools

Encourage monitoring of training programs Require annual review of state plans Effectively market the C&T program and

promote accomplishments

Next Steps

Input from stakeholders sought Report and executive summary are

available at http://aapse.ext.vt.edu Comments welcomed through April 2,

1999: heying.jeanne@epa.gov Final report to be presented at the

National Pesticide Applicator Training Conference, August 1999, Portland, Maine