CTAG

1. CTAG Certification and Training Assessment Group Update Carol Ramsay Washington State University CTAG Vice-Chair

2. Established in 1997 to: • Review previous program evaluations • Explore proposals • Determine changing needs of C&T programs • Provide direction for future of the pesticide applicator C&T program

3. EPA USDA Pesticide State Lead Agencies Cooperative Extension Service Tribes AAPCO, ASPCRO, AAPSE, AFPMB CTAG is a consortium of professionals to promoting the safe and effective use of pesticides through education, testing and licensing, and enforcement Board and Workgroups CTAG

4. Five Goals • Reduce risks to the public from pesticide use. • Provide high quality pesticide education and safety training programs. • Improve the certification and recertification programs and processes. • Ensure adequacy and equity of funding. • Improve the efficiency of program organization and operations.

5. C&T Plan and Reporting • Lead Agency’s Plan and Report website • Facilitate current status of plans • Mechanism for annual reporting • Plan meets FIFRA and 40CFR171 • Administration, authority, conformity, categories, examinations, supervision, reciprocity • Report exceeds FIFRA and 40CFR171 • Applicator totals, category totals, cycles, recertification, regulatory activities, participation, monitoring, enforcement related to certification

6. Minimum Age • Minimum age of 18 to become a certified applicator (legal adult) • Ability to supervise others • Ability of law enforcement to approach and deal directly with certified applicator • Timetable • Pesticide Operations and Management Meeting - late October • National EPA Region Managers-Nov. • Incorporate encouragement for implementation in FY05 grant guidance

7. Closed Book, Written, Monitored Exams • Written, closed-book examination for private and commercial applicators • Closed-book = No outside items. Any necessary exam resources will be provided with the examination process • Supplying reference materials for information that should be committed to memory, such as the core knowledge requirements, would be inappropriate • Same stakeholder meeting schedule as Age Requirement

8. 85/15 Match Requirement • EPA funding to state regulatory agencies for certification • Replace 50/50 match requirement with a 85/15 match requirement • FIFRA change

9. Examination Security and Administrative Guidelines • The Examination • Exam integrity • Specific precautions in the office • Specific precautions/procedures at the exam site • Challenging items

10. Examination Security and Administrative Guidelines • Exam oversight and controls • Pre-registration, scheduling exams, fees • Retakes • Disqualification, prohibitions • Exam environment • Proctoring and cheating • Grading • Notification and/or certification • Personnel

11. Examination Security and Administrative Guidelines • The Candidate • Special need candidates • Information bulletin for examinees • Positive identification required

12. Positive Identification for Exams, Training, RUP Purchases • Require individuals taking exams to provide proof of identity • Existing documents • Driver’s license, Passport, Military ID, Immigration green card

13. Positive Identification for Exams, Training, RUP Purchases • Advantages • Cause little inconvenience for the proctor • Incur minimal cost to states • Take minimal effort for retail dealers to confirm buyer’s identity

14. Positive Identification for Exams, Training, RUP Purchases • Limitations • Some religious groups prohibit pictures • Large group meetings may require additional staff • Internet and telephone sales more problematic

15. Positive Identification for Exams, Training, RUP Purchases • Certification and Recertification Exams • Verify the positive ID of all individuals • Use existing photo ID documents • Exception: Legitimate photo-averse groups (two forms of non-photo ID documents required)

16. Positive Identification for Exams, Training, RUP Purchases • Purchasing RUPs • Verify the positive ID of all certified applicators • Use existing photo ID documents • Exception: Legitimate photo-averse groups (two forms of non-photo ID documents required)

17. Positive Identification for Exams, Training, RUP Purchases • Recertification TrainingSessions • Attendance roster signed by all attendees • Written monitoring plan to ensure applicator competency and program integrity

18. Harmonized Concept for Tiered Pesticide Classification • Tiered Classification that relates the hazard of pesticides to the training. • Develop an initial concept for the CTAG Board to review. This work effort is only in its infancy stage and has not yet been considered by EPA administration.

19. Tiered Classification • Much taken from Canadian proposal • Primary mechanism for mitigating potential hazards associated with pesticide use by: • specifying the intended use of the product by the registrant, • restricting access for use of occupationally-used and hazardous pesticides to only those individuals who are properly trained and certified, when required, and • restricting who can distribute or recommend those products.

20. Tiered Classification • Current • Unclassified or General Use • Restricted Use • Short Term • Home and Garden - ignore • General Use • Restricted Use Level 2 • Restricted Use Level 1 • Long Term • Domestic Low Risk • Domestic High Risk • Occupational Use • Occupational Restricted Use

21. PSEP Long-Term Funding • Workgroup being formed • Co-Chairs: Kevin Keaney, Gina Davis, Win Hock • Participants from EPA, USDA, SLA's and CES • December 2003 meeting

22. PSEP Long-Term Funding • Assess/develop future funding mechanisms • Keep the existing IAG with USDA, adding more specific controls regarding timing of distribution, accounting practices and reporting requirements, OR • Establish direct relationships between EPA and state CES through grants, contracts or cooperative agreements, OR • Establish relationships with EPA and the SLA to pass through funds to state CES, OR • OTHER

23. Other Workgroups • Integrate WPS Training Requirements • Remote Testing • Improve Skills of Trainers

24. http://pep.wsu.edu/ctag Issue papers, progress reports, presentations Board Members (and email addresses) Kevin Keaney, EPA - OPP Gina Davis, MI Dept. of Ag. Carol Ramsay, WSUJeanne Heying, EPA - OPP Carl Martin, AZ Struct. PCBRichard Pont, EPA - OPP Win Hock, AAPSE Pres. ElectJeaneanne Gettle, EPA Reg-4 Jack Peterson, AZ Dept. of Ag. Monte Johnson, USDA Pat O'Connor-Marer, UC Davis Bill Tozer, AFPMB Provide comments and feedback to Board members

25. CTAG Certification and Training Assessment Group Any Questions or Comments?