Private Applicator Certification: New Regulations / Additional Pages for Enforcement Manual

The Office of Administrative Law approved the adoption of Title 3, California Code of Regulations (3CCR) sections 6580, 6582, and 6584 addressing Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) issuance, renewal and continuing education requirements (CE). These new regulations become effective June 22, 2006, and replace the requirements outlined in PML Letter 02-07, dated October 22, 2002.

Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) section 14096 authorizes a private applicator to renew a certificate through re-examination or through obtaining CE hours. FAC section 14099 identified the CE hours required to renew a PAC, however, it sunset on January 1, 2003. The CE requirements are now included in 3CCR section 6584.

The new sections are summarized below:

• 3CCR section 6580 requires new applicants for a PAC to complete and submit the appropriate DPR form and to pass the required examination. The PAC may be issued for up to three years in accordance with FAC section 14095.
• 3CCR section 6582 establishes the time period when certified private applicators can submit their PAC renewal application before expiration and provides two renewal options: re-take the examination or complete the required CE hours during the valid period of the certificate.
• 3CCR section 6584 establishes the CE hours required for renewal based on the length of the valid period of the previously issued PAC. The CE course or program attended must be approved by DPR pursuant to 3CCR section 6512.

Title 3, CCR sections 6580, 6582, and 6584 have been formatted for inclusion in the Laws and Regulations Enforcement Manual (Pesticide Use Enforcement Program Standards Compendium, Volume II). Please add the enclosed pages numbered 6580 and 6584 (found in the upper right corner). Please remove Table of Contents pages numbered i and ii, dated April 2006 and replace with the enclosed revised Table of Contents pages numbered i and ii, dated June 2006. Also, for your convenience, the replacement page guide has been updated.

Enclosed are the text for the new regulations, and information and instructions for updating your Enforcement Manuals. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Adolfo R. Gallo, of my staff, at (916) 445-3895, or e-mail him at agallo@cdpr.ca.gov, or contact the Enforcement Branch Liaison assigned to your county.

Sincerely,