(a) Training courses to be conducted for all individuals applying for commercial technician certification or commercial or private applicator recertification credits must be approved by the department in advance of the course being offered. Thirty-hour or equivalent training courses and recertification training courses must include topics or components as prescribed by the department. Such topics include, but are not limited to the following general standards for all categories of certified commercial applicators in which commercial applicators are expected to be able to demonstrate practical knowledge of the principles and practices of pest control and safe use of pesticides:

1. (1) Integrated pest management principles and practices:

   1. (i) systematic approach to managing pests which focuses on long-term prevention or suppression with minimal impact on human health, the environment and nontarget organisms; and
   2. (ii) incorporate all reasonable measures to prevent pest problems by properly identifying pests, monitoring population dynamics, and utilizing cultural, physical, biological or chemical pest population control methods to reduce pests to acceptable levels.

2. (2) Label and labeling comprehension:

   1. (i) the general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling;
   2. (ii) the understanding of instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels;
   3. (iii) classification of the product, general or restricted; and
   4. (iv) necessity for use consistent with the label.

3. (3) Safety. Factors including:

   1. (i) pesticide toxicity and hazard to man and common exposure routes;
   2. (ii) common types and causes of pesticide accidents;
   3. (iii) precautions necessary to guard against injury to applicators and other individuals in or near treated areas;
   4. (iv) need for and use of protective clothing and equipment;
   5. (v) symptoms of pesticide poisoning;
   6. (vi) first aid and other procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide accident; and
   7. (vii) proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing procedures and disposal methods for pesticides and used pesticide containers, including precautions to be taken to prevent children from having access to pesticides and pesticide containers.

4. (4) Environment. The potential environmental consequences of the use and misuse of pesticides as may be influenced by such factors as:

   1. (i) weather and other climatic conditions;
   2. (ii) types of terrain, soil or other substrate;
   3. (iii) presence of fish, wildlife and other non-target organisms; and
   4. (iv) drainage patterns.

5. (5) Pests. Factors such as:

   1. (i) common features of pest organisms and characteristics of damage needed for pest recognition;
   2. (ii) recognition of relevant pests; and
   3. (iii) pest development and biology as it may be relevant to problem identification and control.

6. (6) Pesticides. Factors such as:

   1. (i) types of pesticides;
   2. (ii) types of formulations;
   3. (iii) compatibility, synergism, persistence and animal and plant toxicity of the formulations;
   4. (iv) hazards and residues associated with use;
   5. (v) factors which influence effectiveness or lead to such problems as resistance to pesticides; and
   6. (vi) dilution procedures.

7. (7) Equipment. Factors including:

   1. (i) types of equipment and advantages and limitations of each type; and
   2. (ii) uses, maintenance and calibration.

8. (8) Application techniques. Factors including:

   1. (i) methods of procedure used to apply various formulations of pesticides, solution and gases, together with a knowledge of which technique of application to use in a given situation;
   2. (ii) relationship of discharge and placement of pesticides to proper use, unnecessary use, and misuse; and
   3. (iii) prevention of drift and pesticide loss into the environment.
9. (9) Laws and regulations. Applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.