VDACS issues Guidance on Certification and Testing Changes

VDACS makes state-of-emergency changes!

The Short of it:

New Hires do not need to get a certification before applying pesticides.

The Rest of the Story:

If you have an Authorization to Test, or if you have a new hire that is not yet a registered technician (Cat 60), you do have a path to move them forward to applying pesticides.

New Hires do have to meet the same requirements as usual ( more details here ):

20 hours of on-the-job training
20 hours of Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services approved training
Pass a closed-book written exam provided by the licensed pesticide business that meets requirements of Section 90 of 2VAC5-685, Regulations Governing Pesticide Applicator Certification (VPMA is currently working to develop a test for members to use. It should be available by Tuesday!)

A message from Liza Fleeson-Trossbach, Program Manager VDACS OPS

Given the current public health crisis, and the implications for pesticide businesses, the administration has taken steps to allow pesticide business employees to apply pesticides without obtaining a registered technician certification, for the duration of the state of emergency due to COVID-19

Read the entire message here .

New Member Benefit!

Join the VPMA Member Network

a Facebook Closed Group where members can network and share.

Just as insects form a complicated network to protect their community, this page aims to provide the opportunity for members of the Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA) to form a network that will allow us to share ideas and information about how we can best protect the citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth of Virginia through ethical and environmentally responsible pest management practices.

Click here to Access the VPMA Member Network

Members Join Now!

Log into your Facebook account and search for VPMA Member Network and join the closed group. We have uploaded a list of our members to be pre-approved so as long as the email we have for you is the same as your Facebook login you should gain immediate access. If not, hang tight - we will manually approve members on a daily basis.

We also encourage members to invite managers and other high-level decision makers to join the group. The more voices engaging in discussion, the more meaningful the group will become! All members of the group have the ability to post and comment. VPMA will administer the page and will appoint moderators to assist in keeping discussions on topic, positive and meaningful. Please see recommended guidelines for participating on this group page.