2401.1 Application for a pesticide operator's certification shall be made in writing on a form prescribed by the Department.

2401.2 Each application for a pesticide operator's certification shall contain the following information:

1. (a) Data about the applicant's proposed operations;
2. (b) The certification category or categories applied for;
3. (c) The full name of the person applying for the certification;
4. (d) The full name of each principle member of the entity, if the applicant is a person other than an individual;
5. (e) The address of the person applying for a pesticide operator certification;
6. (f) A certificate of liability insurance as required by § 2402 of this chapter;
7. (g) Designation of those individuals who are certified in each category in which the operator will engage; and
8. (h) Any other information as the Department may prescribe.

2401.3 Each pesticide operator's certification shall specify the category(ies) or subcategory(ies) of pest control activity in which the business may lawfully engage.

2401.4 The Department shall issue an applicant a pesticide operator certification and the appropriate credentials, after the applicant performs the following actions:

1. (a) Submits proof of certification; and
2. (b) Submits a completed application for a pesticide operator's license.

2401.5 The pesticide operator's license shall be valid only when accompanied by a current pesticide operator's certification issued by the Department.

2401.6 A licensed certified operator that elects to add or delete one (1) or more categories or subcategories from an existing certification shall notify the Department in writing of the proposed changes to the current certification.

2401.7 A pesticide operator shall immediately notify the Department when the operator no longer employs a licensed certified applicator in any of the categories for which the operator is certified.

(a) The certification shall not be affected for ten (10) days after such notification, during which time the operator shall designate another licensed certified applicator;

(b) In response to a written request from the operator, the Department may extend the ten (10) day grace period to up to thirty (30) days; and

(c) During the grace period, restricted-use pesticides may not be used without an applicator certified and licensed in the appropriate category.

SOURCE: Section 7 of 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 62 DCR 3340 (March 20, 2015); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 001173 (February 6, 2026).