Assistant pesticide applicator
Last updated on September 26, 2022Assistant applicators may:
- Apply pesticides to treatment areas under the supervision of a certified pesticide applicator
- Safely transport pesticides to work sites
- Take pesticides in and out of storage
- Ensure security of mobile, temporary and permanent pesticide storage facilities
Assistant applicators don't require certification, but are required to undertake annual training and pass an online exam.
The Assistant Applicator Core Training course and exam are free of charge and take approximately 4 hours to complete.
Employers are responsible to ensure that assistant applicators complete the required ministry training annually.
Assistant applicators are restricted from performing certain activities. If you are considering a job that requires you to do any restricted activity, you may need a pesticide applicator certificate.
You don't need to be trained as an assistant applicator before obtaining a pesticide applicator certificate.
Restrictions on assistant applicator
Assistant applicators are not allowed to:
- Select the pesticides to be used in a treatment area
- Determine the method or rate of pesticide application in a treatment area
- Determine injury thresholds for pests for the purpose of deciding when to use a pesticide
- Mix pesticide concentrates
- Calibrate pesticide application equipment
- Handle or use fumigants
- Use permit-restricted or restricted class pesticides
- Use pesticides that have a label indicating that the pesticide must be used only by a certificate holder, or
- Conduct pre- or post-treatment evaluations
Training for assistant applicators
- You must complete the required ministry training and pass the exam annually to apply pesticides under the supervision of a certified pesticide applicator
- Access the free online course and exam here
- You can review the course online, or you can download the materials and review the modules without internet access. You will need internet access to write the final exam
- You must get a passing grade of at least 75% in the final exam to receive a statement of completion
- Provide a copy of the statement of completion to your employer for their files to show that you have successfully met the ministry training requirements
Information for authorization holders (employers)
Authorization holders employing assistant applicators to apply pesticides under the supervision of a certified pesticide applicator must ensure that:
- A certified pesticide applicator working under an authorization supervises no more than four assistant applicators
- Assistant applicators have successfully completed the required ministry training within 12 months before the first pesticide application each year
- A copy of each assistant applicator’s statement of completion is kept on file. These records must be kept at or near the treatment area during pesticide application and be made available to the supervising certificate holder
- Assistant applicators do not perform any restricted activities
Information for supervisors of assistant applicators
An individual with a valid pesticide applicator certificate (except for a residential applicator certificate) can supervise up to four assistant applicators. A certified pesticide applicator who is supervising assistant applicators:
- Must not be more than 500 m from each assistant applicator
- Must maintain continuous visual or auditory contact with each assistant applicator
- Must review the record kept by the authorization holder (employer) for each assistant applicator, and
- Must not permit an assistant applicator to apply a pesticide unless satisfied that the assistant applicator has successfully completed the required ministry training