2305.1 The Department shall issue an applicant a certification and the appropriate credentials, after an applicant performs the following actions:

1. (a) Submits proof of competency; and
2. (b) Submits a completed application for an applicator's license.

2305.2 A license shall be valid only when accompanied by a current pesticide applicator's certification issued by the Department.

2305.3 Each certification and license shall contain the names of both the applicant and the employing pesticide operator and shall specify the category(ies) or subcategory(ies) of pest control activity in which the applicant has demonstrated and maintained competency.

2305.4 No applicator shall be employed by more than one (1) pesticide operator unless the applicator has a separate certification for each employer.

2305.5 A licensed certified applicator terminating employment within a licensing period shall submit his or her certification and credentials to the employing pesticide operator.

2305.6 Within ten (10) working days after a licensed certified applicator terminating employment within a licensing period submits his or her certification and credentials to the employing pesticide operator, the pesticide operator shall:

1. (a) Notify the Department in writing of the termination of the licensed certified applicator's employment; and
2. (b) Return the certification and credentials of the employee to the Department for cancellation.

2305.7 A licensed certified applicator whose employment has terminated within a licensing period may, after becoming employed by another pesticide operator and after new application and payment of the appropriate certification fees, be issued a new certification and appropriate credentials.

2305.8 Any applicant who has successfully completed the requirements for certification, but who does not complete the licensing requirement within one (1) year from the date of certification, shall lose certification and may re-qualify for certification only by passing the relevant qualifying examinations for the category(ies) or subca

tegory(ies) in which the applicant seeks certification.

2305.9 Any licensed certified applicator who has not renewed his or her certification within one (1) year from the date certification expires shall be considered as a new applicant.

2305.10 Any applicator whose license has been revoked, or whose license has lapsed, shall re-qualify for certification and licensing only by passing the relevant qualifying examinations for the category(ies) or subcategory(ies) in which they seek certification.

2305.11 An applicator may maintain his or her certification by putting it on inactive status. To maintain a certification in inactive status, the applicator shall notify the Department of the change in status and maintain recertification credits in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

SOURCE: The Pesticide Operations Act of 1977, effective April 18, 1978 (D.C. Law 2-70; 24 DCR 6867 (February 17, 1978)); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 25 DCR 3044 (October 6, 1978), incorporating the text of the Proposed Rulemaking published at 25 DCR 2118 (August 25, 1978); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 30 DCR 2204 (May 13, 1983); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 3340 (March 20, 2015); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 001173 (February 6, 2026).