Ohio Admin. Code 901:5-4-02 - [Effective 4/1/2025] Fertilizer applicator certification

(A) Beginning September 30, 2017, no No person shall apply fertilizer for the purposes of agricultural production unless either of the following applies:

(1) That person has been issued a fertilizer certificate by the director; or

(2) That person is acting under the instructions and control of a certificate holder and is either:

(a) An immediate family member of the certificate holder; or

(b) An individual employed by the same business or farm as the certificate holder.

(B) An applicant shall be issued a fertilizer certificate if the applicant has satisfied the requirements set out in Chapter 905. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted thereunder, and the following have been received by the director:

(1) The fee as set forth in paragraph (D) of this rule;

(2) A completed formal application; and

(3) Certificate showing that the applicant has successfully completed a fertilizer education course as set forth in rule 901:5-4-03 of the Administrative Code.

(C) A completed formal application on a form prescribed by the director shall include the following:

(1) Name of the applicant;

(2) Address of applicant;

(3) Applicant's date of birth;

(4) Name of employer, if applicable;

(5) Address of employer, if applicable;

(6) Phone number of the applicant; and either

(7) Pesticide applicator license number, if applicable; or

(8) The last four digits of the applicant's social security number or date of birth.

(D) The initial fee and the renewal fee for a fertilizer certificate shall be thirty dollars per certification period. These fees are non-refundable. These fees are not applicable to the following individuals:

(1) A person who holds a valid and current commercial applicator license under section 921.06 of the Revised Code; and,

(2) A person who holds a valid and current private applicator license under section 921.11 of the Revised Code.

(E) Except for as provided below, the certification period for certificate holders shall commence on the first day of April and shall expire the last day of March of the third year following issuance of the certificate.

(1) The certification period for certificate holders who hold a valid and current commercial applicator license under section 921.06 of the Revised Code shall commence on the first day of October and shall coincide with the certification period associated with their commercial applicator license.

(2) The certification period for certificate holders who hold a valid and current private applicator license under section 921.11 of the Revised Code shall commence on the first day of April and shall coincide with the certification period associated with their private applicator license.

(F) Certificate holders who have completed the renewal education requirements found in paragraph (C) of rule 901:5-4-03 of the Administrative Code but have failed to complete the renewal application process prior to the expiration of their certificate may renew their certificate within one hundred and eighty days after the date of expiration without having to comply with the education requirements of a new applicant found in paragraph (B) of rule 901:5-4-03 of the Administrative Code.

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 901:5-4-02

Effective: 4/1/2025
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 1/14/2025 and 04/01/2030
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 905.321, 905.322
Rule Amplifies: 905.321, 905.322
Prior Effective Dates: 12/13/2014, 10/01/2017