Understanding Credits Acquired, Required and Lapsed on a PA Pesticide License

These terms are part of the recertification process managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). Certified pesticide applicators are required to earn continuing education credits during each three-year certification cycle to renew and maintain an active commercial/public certificate or a private applicator permit.

When an applicator receives their Pesticide Applicator Credit Statement or renewal notice, it will provide a listing of the applicator's categories. A listing of the total number of continuing education credits an applicator has already completed for each category during the current certification period will be printed under the heading "Credits Acquired." The next column under the heading "Credits Required" indicates the total number of credits that are still needed for renewing each of the applicator's specific categories. If a zero is printed, it means the applicator has successfully completed all required recertification credits for that category. Finally, there will be a column that provides the date by which the credits must be obtained.

However, many applicators are surprised to also see the word "Lapsed" on their certificate statement even after meeting all credit requirements. In most cases, this means the continuing education requirements have been completed, but the commercial/public certificate or private applicator permit itself was not renewed before the expiration deadline. A license will lapse if the certificate or permit renewal application, payment of fees, or required paperwork was not submitted to PDA on time.

A lapsed certificate or permit does not necessarily mean the applicator must retake the certification exams to reinstate their certificate or permit, but additional steps or fees may be required depending on how long the certificate or permit has been expired. Applicators should immediately contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to verify their status and determine the proper steps to reactivate their certificate or permit.

Once a certificate or permit has lapsed, no further use of pesticides as a certified commercial/public applicator or restricted use pesticides by private applicators is allowed until the certificate or permit is reinstated by PDA. If an applicator allows their certification to expire during the three-year certification period in which the recertification credits are due, the applicator must complete the missing credits and submit the renewal form and fees.

If an applicator fails to complete the delinquent recertification credits within 1 year from the certificate's or permit's expiration date, or fails to renew their certification or permit for more than 1 year, the applicator must retake the certification exam(s) to reestablish their certification.

To keep a pesticide license active and in good standing, applicators must complete their continuing education requirements (credits) and submit the required renewal paperwork and fees.

Authors: Maria Gorgo-Simcox and Edward Crow