Commercial Applicator
This commercial category is for pesticide applicators making arthropod control applications to individual person’s properties (misting devices, fogging, and barrier treatment services.)
General Information
Mosquito control activities can be divided into two groups: public health and individuals or contractors.
Public health – this group normally involves a governmental entity making widespread community or municipal arthropod control applications over a large area. Chapter 80-1-13, Alabama Administrative Code, regulates the public health component, identifying governmental and/or professional entities for these programs.
Individuals or contractors – this group is people wanting to operate on a for-hire basis that make arthropod control applications to an individual person’s property or commercial properties. Chapter 80-10-9, Alabama Administrative Code, regulates structural pest control activities (which includes the performance of any type of pest control and the use of any pest control devices).
Someone doing mosquito work for hire has to be certified in HPC as well as PH/GRD. To qualify to sit for the HPC exam, one has to have at least one year of verifiable experience doing actual pest control work (not mosquito work) or pass Purdue’s “Introduction to Urban and Industrial IPM” course, with their final exam being proctored at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) in the office in Montgomery.
The installation and/or servicing of automated mosquito control mister in, on, around, or under any structure would require a structural pest control business permit and a custom permit for public health. To qualify for the business permits, the permit holder must have at least one employee who is an Alabama certified operator in the categories of household pest control and public health pest control. A pest control business offering fogging and barrier treatment services for residential or commercial properties must meet the same requirements as a business installing and/or servicing automated mosquito control misters.
Visit the following pages for more information:
- Household Pest Control Commercial Applicator Permit Information (HPC-HPB)
- Public Health Permit (PH)
- Ground Equipment Mode of Application – General Information (GRND)
Each permit is renewed on an annual basis. Once exams are passed, the applicator would apply for a commercial applicator permit. The applicator’s company would also need a custom license and the appropriate insurance as well as a HPC professional services permit–main office.
Exam Information
Public Health
- 50 questions
- Cost: $75
Ground Equipment
- 50 questions
- Cost: $75
General Standards
- 50 questions
- Cost: $75
Household Pest
- 50 questions
- Cost: $75
Testing for this permit can be completed at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) in Montgomery.
There is also a computer-based testing format that is available on a weekly basis at eight testing sites across Alabama. The cost for the online exam is $125 per exam. To sign up for the online exam, visit apply.adaitesting.com. Once approved, you will receive an approval email from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Required Study Materials
Alabama Extension
ADAI
- Chapter 27, Title 2, Code of Alabama_1975
- Chapter 28 Title 2 Code of Alabama 1975 – Professional Services Law
- 80-1-13 – Sale and Use of Pesticides
- 80-1-14 – Application of Pesticides by Aircraft
- 80-5-1 – Standards For Assessment of Civil Penalties
- 80-10-9 – Professional Services Rules
Other
Requirements and Forms
ADAI – Certification and Testing
- Exam Schedule – Custom Pesticide Applicator
- Exam Schedule – Professional Services
- First Permit & Add-On – Commercial Applicator
- Recertification Meeting Locator – (Commercial Applicators)
- Recertification Meeting Locator – (Meeting Sponsors)
ADAI – Custom Applicators
ADAI – Professional Services
Other
- Purdue Integrated Pest Management Courses
- The Purdue training course can be taken online or through correspondence if applicants do not have the qualifying experience to sit for the HPC exam.