NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS 



Proposed Changes to the 

 Pesticide Recertification Program 



Dr. Stanley R. Swier 

 UNHCE Pesticide Education Coordinator 



On April 6, 1993 the Pesticide Control Board met 

 to discuss proposed changes to the Private/Com- 

 mercial Applicator Recertification Program. The 

 Pesticide Control Board approved the changes 

 which will be in effect January 1994 if finally ap- 

 proved after going through the rulemaking pro- 

 cess. Following is a summary of those proposed 

 changes based on information provided by Murray 

 McKay, Director, Pesticide Control Division. 



APPLICATION FOR SEMINAR DEADLINE: 



Current: 45 days 

 Proposed: 30 days 



Advantages: The change will allow seminar sponsors 

 more leeway in planning a meeting, particularly in 

 the summer (i.e. Twilight meetings). It will also 

 align NH more closely with other New England 

 states, making it easier for other states to apply 

 for NH credit. 



APPLICATOR CERTIFICATES OF 

 ATTENDANCE: 



Current Applicators must submit all certificates in 

 December of their recertification year. 

 Proposed-. Certificates will be submitted on an an- 

 nual basis with appropriate renewal paperwork. 

 Credits will be tracked by the state and appear 

 on the following years documents. 

 Advantages: Having the state keep track of credits 

 on an annual basis will save the applicator from 

 the necessity of holding paperwork for five years. 

 The applicator will be aware of exactly how many 

 credits he or she needs. Also, if an applicator has 

 been given a certificate that is not eligible for 

 credit, he or she will be notified on a yearly ba- 

 sis, rather than finding out at the end of the 5 

 year period when it is too late to receive addi- 

 tional credit. 



CORE & CATEGORY CREDITS: 



Current: Applicators are required to receive 4 

 CORE credits and 8 category credits during a 5 

 year recertification period. Category credits must 

 be in the area(s) in which the applicator received 

 his or her permit. Example-, a private applicator 

 with a license in Vegetable (VG) must receive 4 

 CORE and 8 category credits in Vegetable (VG). 



Proposed: Credits will no longer be CORE or cat- 

 egory, but simply credits. Private applicators will 

 be required to earn 15 credits. Example: a pri- 

 vate applicator with a license in Vegetable (VG) 

 must receive 15 credits overall, not limited to 

 Vegetable (VG). Commercial applicators will be 

 required to receive 12 credits per category. Ex- 

 ample: if the commercial applicator is licensed in 

 3 areas he or she will need 36 credits, regardless 

 of the subject matter. 



Advantages: Private applicators who are involved in 

 several commodities will be able to attend a va- 

 riety of meetings increasing his or her knowledge 

 and still receive necessary credits. Commercial 

 applicators will have more flexibility in attending 

 meetings in NH and other states as well as pick- 

 ing and choosing which meetings will be more 

 advantageous to their job. 



ADVERTISING MEETINGS IN THE WEEKLY 

 MARKET BULLETIN: 



Current: The Pesticide Control Division advertises 

 all meetings receiving NH credit in the "Weekly 

 Market Bulletin". 



Proposed: The PCD will no longer advertise meet- 

 ings in the "Weekly Market Bulletin". A list will 

 be published on a monthly basis and applicators 

 will need to contact the Pesticide Control Divi- 

 sion and request an updated list. Updated lists 

 will also be available at coun-ty Cooperative Ex- 

 tension offices. 



Advantages: Applicators will not have to rely on the 

 "Weekly Market Bulletin" for upcoming meeting 

 information. They will be able to see exactly what 

 meetings are being held and what credits are of- 

 fered without having to search for it. Also, if there 

 is any concern about whether or not a meeting is 

 receiving NH credit, it will be easy to check, 

 since only accredited meetings will appear on the 

 list. Sponsors will still be able to use the 

 "Weekly Market Bulletin" for announcements as 

 they see fit. 



All of us in Cooperative Extension feel that 

 these changes will greatly improve the recertifica- 

 tion program. We hope that you will support the 

 Pesticide Control Division as it proceeds with the 

 rule-making process. 



June& July 1993 

 5 



