Professional Service – Testing Information and What To Do When You Pass Your Test (HPB-HPC)
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NOTE: This information is created, published and updated by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and is shared by PSEP as is, for your information. Please direct any questions to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Testing Information for Professional Service Examinations

Thank you for your interest in taking the Household, Institutional, and Industrial Pest Control (HPC or HPB) exam, which is administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture (ADAI).  Please note that HPC is the certified operator category, which an applicator must have in order to own a pest control company.  HPB is for those persons wishing to manage a branch office of an already-established pest control business. There are two ways to test in this category:

  • The most convenient way to test is to take a computer-based exam at one of our testing sites. Tests are given on a weekly basis, and we have testing centers in Athens, Auburn, Birmingham, Hanceville, Headland, Millbrook, Mobile, and Pelham. The fee for a computer-based exam is $125 per exam ($75 state fee plus $50 administrative fee). To sign up for an exam, please visit http://apply.adaitesting.com to submit your application, being sure to include a qualification statement if required (follow onscreen instructions). Once ADAI has approved your application, you will receive an approval email; please save this email and follow the instructions therein.  It is during this second phase that you will pay for and schedule your exam.
  • You may take a paper-based exam at the ADAI facility in Professional service exams are given four times a year on the third Tuesday in March, June, September, and December. Preregistration is required; please submit your application and qualification statement (if required ) 10 business days prior to exam date.  You may download and print the Professional Services Exam Application at agi.alabama.gov/pesticidemanagement/programs/professional-services.

For questions related to testing, please contact the Certification & Training Unit at (334)240-7243.

What To Do Once You Have Passed Your Test

Once you have passed the Household, Institutional, and Industrial  Pest Control (HPC or HPB) exam administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture (ADAI), you must apply for your Commercial Applicator Permit in order to be certified; the fee for certification is $45 per category.  The Application for Commercial Pesticide Applicator Permit is located under the Certification & Testing for Commercial Pesticide Applicators and Horticulturalists.

Please note that if you do not apply for your certification within one year of passing the exam, your exam will be void and you will be required to retest in order to apply for certification.

If you will be starting a business (HPC), you need to apply for an annual Professional Services-Structural permit.  This application can be found on the same website listed above, under the Professional Services tab.  This annual permit covers the period of October l – September 30 and must be renewed before November 1 each year to avoid being delinquent.  If for any reason the permit holder decides to not renew the annual permit, the holder is required to notify the department (in writing) of that decision.  Please mail such correspondence to the above address.

Once you are certified in HPC/HPB, in order to be eligible to apply for renewal you must obtain a minimum of 30 continuing education points during your three-year renewal cycle; if you do not obtain the required number of points, you will be required to take a recertification exam prior to applying for renewal.  A list of recertification meetings and CEU guidelines is maintained on our website under the Certification & Training tab

For questions related to certification, please contact the Certification & Training Unit at (334)240-7240.

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Related Topics

Absorbent: The movement of a chemical into plants, animals (including humans), microorganisms, or soil.

Activated Charcoal: A finely ground charcoal that adsorbs chemicals.

Active Ingredient: The chemical or chemicals in a product responsible for pesticidal activity.

Back-Siphoning: The movement of a liquid pesticide mixture from a spray tank through the filling hose into the water source.

Berms: Contain water runoff and leaking pesticide.

Certified Applicator: A person who is certified to use or supervise the use of any restricted-use pesticide covered by his certification.

Chemtrec: The Chemical Transportation Emergency Center. It supports a toll-free number that provides 24-hour information for chemical emergencies such as a spill, leak, fire, or accident—1-800-424-9300.

Cleanup Kit: Should include telephone numbers for emergency assistance, PPE, absorbent materials; pillows, clay and cat litter, a shovel, broom and dustpan; and heavy duty detergent.

Combustibles: A material that is capable of catching fire and burning, flammable.

Commercial Applicator: A certified applicator who uses or supervises the use of pesticides for purposes other than those covered under a private applicator certification.

Confined Area: An area, such as a building or greenhouse, that may have restricted air circulation and, therefore, promotes the buildup pf toxic fumes or vapors from a pesticide application.

Contain: To prevent a spill or leak from spreading to other areas or contaminating surfaces.

Containment Pad: An impermeable pad used for mixing and loading pesticides and cleaning equipment that is designed to catch spills, leaks, overflows, and wash water for reuse or disposal.

Contamination: The presence of unwanted substance in or on a plant, animal, soil, water, air, or structure.

Decontaminate: To remove or degrade a chemical residue from the skin or a surface.

Defoaming agent: An adjuvant used to reduce the foaming of a spray mixture due to agitation.

Dermal: Pertaining to the skin.

Detoxify: To render a pesticide active ingredient or other poisonous chemical harmless.

Disinfectant: A chemical or other agent that kills or inactivates disease-producing microorganisms in animals, seeds, or other plant parts. Also, commonly refers to chemicals used to clean or surface-sterilize inanimate objects.

Disposal: Properly throwing away or getting rid of something.

Drift: The movement of pesticide dust, spray, or vapor away from the application site.

Emergency response plan, (ERP): Can help prevent an emergency from becoming a catastrophe.

Exposure: Unwanted contact with pesticides or pesticide residues by people, other organisms, or the environment.

Fertilizers: A natural or synthetic material that is applied to the soil or to plants to supply one or more nutrients essential to plant growth.

Flammable: Any material that can be ignited easily and that burn rapidly.

Global Harmonization System, GHS: Defines a standard format for the information included in an SDS.

Groundwater: Water located in aquifers beneath the soil surface from which well water is obtained or surface springs are formed.

Label: All printed material attached to or part of a pesticide container. The label is a legal document.

Leaching: The movement through soil of a pesticide or other chemical that is dissolved in water.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): A safety data sheet available from the manufacturer that provides information on chemical properties, toxicity, first aid, hazards, personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a spill, leak, fire, or transportation crisis.

NFPA: The National Fire Protection Agency.

NFPA Flammability Hazard, the Red Section: The Number in this section relates to the flammability hazard a chemical has.

NFPA Health Hazard, the Blue Section: The number in this section relates to the following hazards to health the chemical has.

NFPA Instability, the Yellow Section: The number in this section, relates to the instability hazard a chemical has.

NFPA Rating System: Used to assist emergency personnel is a diamond shaped warning symbol.

NFPA Special Hazard, the White Section: The letters in this section relate to any special hazard a chemical has.

Non-point-Source Pollution: Pollution that comes from a widespread area. The movement of pesticides into streams or groundwater following a broadcast application to an agricultural field, large turf area, or right-of-way is an example of non point-source pollution.

Off-site Movement: Any movement of a pesticide or chemical from the location where it was applied. Off-site movement occurs through drift, water runoff, crop harvest, blowing dust and by being carries away on people, animals or equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Devices and clothing that protect pesticide applicators, handlers, and workers from exposure to pesticides.

Pesticide: Any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any insects, rodents, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, or weeds, or any other forms of life declared to be pests; and any other substance of mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.

Placards, Public notices: U.S. Department of Transportation placards are diamond shaped warning signs placed on all vehicles that transport certain types and quantities of hazardous materials.

Point-Source Pollution: The contamination of water and soil from a specific, identifiable place or location, such as a spill site or a permanent mixing, loading, and cleaning site.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration: (OSHA): Requires that employers provide access to SDS information and keep copies in multiple locations.

Oxidizer: A highly reactive chemical that is potentially explosive and a fire hazard under certain conditions.

Posting: The placement of warning signs around pesticide or chemical areas as required by the label. This serves to provide information about pesticide applications.

Pressure-rinse: The process of decontaminating an empty pesticide container with water by using a special high-pressure nozzle to rinse the container.

Protective Equipment: Equipment intended to protect a person from exposure during the handling and application of pesticides. Includes long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, coveralls, suitable hats, gloves, shoes, respirators, and other safety items as needed.

RCRA: The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: The federal law regulating the transport, storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes.

Residue: Traces of pesticide that remain on treated surfaces after a period of time.

Right to Know: Refers to a workers rights to information about chemicals in their workplaces.

Runoff: The movement of water and associated materials on the soil surface.

Signal Words: Words that are required to appear on every pesticide label to denote the relative acute toxicity of the product. The signal words are DANGER—POISON used with a skull and crossbones symbol for potentially lethal products, DANGER for severe skin and eye damage, WARNING for moderately toxic, or CAUTION for slightly toxic compounds.

Special Toxicity Statements: Say if the product is hazardous to wildlife and what precautions to take.

Specific Action Statements: Gives precautions and PPE.

Spill: Is the accidental release of any pesticide in small or large quantities.

Spill Tube/Sock: Polypropylene with cover stock for general purpose cleanup of leaks and spills.

State Lead Agency (SLA): The agency within a state or territory designated by the EPA as having the authority for carrying out the provisions of FIFRA.

Toxicity: The degree to which a substance is poisonous.

Transportation Security Plan: A plan required of all operations that transport pesticides in containers that are larger than 119 gallons or in quantities greater than 1,000 pounds. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires that the plan include protection against unauthorized access, a security check for employees that pick up and transport placarded hazardous materials, and a security plan for the intended travel route. Vehicles that transport pesticides in these quantities must be placarded (see placards).

Worker Protection Standard (WPS): A federal regulation that intends to reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning and injuries among agricultural workers and handlers. The WPS requires agricultural employers to provide protections to workers and handlers, including but not limited to: safety training, posting of application sites, and decontamination supplies.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has an extensive list of forms that are required for pesticide permits. Alabama Extension has created an extensive list of their forms, linked to the forms where possible, and listed the rest in order to have all this information available to you on one page. Visit Alabama Commercial Pesticide Applicator Permits for more information on each category.

ADAI Pesticide Management Contacts

General email address – cert@agi.alabama.gov

Chelsea Wolfe – (334) 240-7243 chelsea.wolfe@agi.alabama.gov

  • General information regarding commercial applicators and horticulture categories and testing information.

Barbara Gates – (334) 240-7240 barbara.gates@agi.alabama.gov

  • Certification (permit cards), reciprocation, and recertification meetings/points

Dorothy Gresham – (334) 240-7286 dorothy.gresham@agi.alabama.gov

  • Custom applicator Information

Joe Debrow – Program Director: (334) 240-7233 joe.debrow@agi.alabama.gov

  • Professional Services applicator Information

Bridget Pope – Structural: (334) 240-7261  bridget.pope@agi.alabama.gov 

  • Professional Services  applicator Information

Lisa Kervin – Horticulture: (334) 240-7269  lisa.kervin@agi.alabama.gov

  • Professional Services  applicator Information

Karen Daniels – (334) 240-7242 OR karen.daniels@agi.alabama.gov

  • Restricted Use Dealer

Forms

Note: Some of the links go directly to the form required and some of the links go to the page that houses the forms. View the whole document below to determine what resources you need.

ADAI Certification and Testing Information Page

ADAI Custom Applicators Information Page

ADAI Pesticide Registration Information Page

These Forms below are available as PDF Downloads on the ADAI site:

  • Pesticide Registration – 25(b) Registration Form 
  • Pesticide Registration – New Product Application A-M
  • Pesticide Registration – New Product Application N-Z
  • Pesticide Registration – Point of Contact Form

ADAI Pesticide Rules and Regulations

ADAI Professional Services Information Page

ADAI Restricted Use Dealer Page

ADAI Clean Day Pesticide Disposal Program

ADAI Worker Protection Standard Information Page

ADAI Ag Container Recycling Council Information Page

ADAI Pesticide Management Main Page Forms

These Forms below are available as PDF Downloads on the ADAI site:

  • Certification – Application for Commercial Applicator Permit (First Permit and Add-On)
  • Certification – Application for Commercial Applicator Permit (Reciprocal)
  • Certification – Application for Commercial Applicator Permit (Renewal)
  • Certification – Application for Professional Services Exam 2018
  • Certification – Change of Information Form for Commercial Applicators (Not Businesses)
  • Certification – Change of Information Form for Commercial Applicators (Not Businesses)
  • Certification – Schedule for Custom Pesticide Applicator Exams 2018-2019
  • Certification – Schedule for Professional Services Exams 2018
  • Custom Applicators – Bond for Custom Application of Pesticides
  • Custom Applicators – Change of Info For Custom Pesticide Applicators
  • Custom Applicators – Custom Business License Application
  • Pesticide Registration – 25(b) Registration Form
  • Pesticide Registration – New Product Application A-M
  • Pesticide Registration – New Product Application N-Z
  • Pesticide Registration – Point of Contact Form
  • Private Applicators – Application for a Private Applicator Permit
  • Professional Services – Bond To Perform Subterranean Termite Work
  • Professional Services – Certificate of Insurance
  • Professional Services – Change of Information Form for Operators
  • Professional Services – Consumer Complaint Form
  • Professional Services – License Application (Branch Office)
  • Professional Services – License Application (Horticultural)
  • Professional Services – License Application (Main Office)
  • Professional Services –  License Application (Sub Office)
  • Professional Services – Official Alabama Waiver Form (Termites)
  • Professional Services – Statement of No Loss
  • Restricted Use Pesticide Dealers – License Application
  • Restricted Use Pesticide Dealers – Log Book

PLEASE NOTE: This information is created, published and updated by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and is shared by PSEP as is, for your information. Please direct any questions to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. 

Thank you for your interest in taking the recertification exam administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture (ADAI). Passage of this exam allows you to renew your commercial applicator permit if you did not accrue the required 30 recertification points during your three-year renewal cycle.  Please note that this exam must be taken between the 1st and 28th the month in which your certification expires.

There are two ways to test for an exam:

  • The most convenient way to test is to take a computer-based exam at one of our testing sites.  Tests are given on a weekly basis. and we have testing centers in Athens, Auburn, Birmingham, Hanceville, Headland. Millbrook. Mobile, and Pelham. The fee for a computer-based exam is $125 per exam ($75 state fee plus $50 administrative fee). To sign up for an exam. please visit http://apply.adaitesting.com to submit your application. Please check the box for “Recertification,” not for your pesticide applicator category (i.e., if you have OTPS, check Recertification and not OTPS). Once ADAI has approved your application, you will receive an approval email: please save this email and follow the instructions therein. It is during this second phase that you will pay for and schedule your exam.
  • You may take a paper-based exam at the ADAI facility in Montgomery; the fee is $75 per exam. Recertification exams are given eight times a year on the third Tuesday in February, March, May, June, August. September, November, and December.  Preregistration is not required.  Exams are administered in the auditorium of the Beard Building, located at the address above.  Please arrive by 8:30 a.m.; testing begins promptly at 9 a.m.  No cell phones or study materials arc allowed; pencils and simple calculators will be provided, although you may bring your own if you wish.

Once you have passed the recertification exam, you must submit a completed renewal application and the appropriate fee(s) per category of certification.  A renewal application may be found on the right-hand side of this web page: agi.alabama.gov/pesticidemanagement/programs/commercial-applicators/

For questions related to testing, please contact the Certification & Training Unit at (334)240-7243.