Ohio Agricultural Fertilizer Applicator Certification Requirements: Who Needs to Get Certified and What Steps to Take

Fertilizer is defined as any dry or liquid formulation containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or other plant nutrient. Manure and lime are exempt unless mixed with fertilizer materials or distributed with a guaranteed analysis. Fertilizer applied through a planter at planting is exempt, but all other application types and timings (broadcast, side dress, subsurface, knifing, etc.) are included.

Uncertified applicators may apply fertilizer in the situations outlined above if acting under the instruction and control of a certified applicator. An uncertified applicator must be:

• within 25 miles or two hours travel of the certified applicator during the application
• employed by the same business or farm as the certified applicator
• instructed where, when, and how to apply fertilizer by the certified applicator

Who Is Exempt from Certification

You are exempt from certification if you:

• have a commercial applicator applying the fertilizer (the certification requirement applies to the applicator, not the landowner)
• use only startup fertilizer applied through the planter
• apply fertilizer to forages produced for livestock consumption on your farm (in this case, the forage production is not primarily for sale)
• apply fertilizer to lawns, sports fields, and golf courses; however, sod production on more than 50 acres is considered agricultural production

Certified livestock managers (CLM) and certified crop advisors (CCA) are required to hold a fertilizer certification but are exempt from the training or examination requirement. CLMs and CCAs must contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) to obtain the certificate.

If you are uncertain about whether you need the fertilizer certification, contact ODA for clarification.

The First Step to Becoming Certified

The first step to becoming certified for agricultural fertilizer applications is done in one of two ways:

• Attend an Ohio State University Extension three-hour certification training class.

• Pass the ODA fertilizer exam. Register online at agri.ohio.gov or call ODA at 614-728-6987 for exam locations and times.
  • The exam guide (Training Manual: Ohio Agricultural Fertilizer Applicator Certification) can be purchased through OSU Extension Publications at extensionpubs.osu.edu/fertilizer-certification.

  Contact your county OSU Extension office for three-hour meeting dates or check online at nutrienteducation.osu.edu. Most of the three-hour fertilizer certification meetings are offered in January through March. The training focuses on the 4 Rs of nutrient management: right source of nutrients, right rate, place, and right time.

  The Next Steps

  The next steps to becoming certified for agricultural fertilizer applications depend on whether you hold a current pesticide license.

  1. After taking the class of passing the exam, ODA will send you a new pesticide license (green) that indicates you have added fertilizer certification.
  2. If you choose to take the exam instead of class, you may retake it as many times as you need to pass, waiting five business days between attempts. Scores are posted online 2–3 weeks after the examination at agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/exam-results.
  1. After taking the three-hour class or passing the exam, ODA will send you an application with a $30 invoice for the certificate fee.
  2. If you choose to take the exam instead of class, you may retake it as many times as you need to pass, waiting five business days between attempts. Scores are posted online 2–3 weeks after the examination at agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/exam-results .
  3. The ODA will send you a yellow fertilizer certificate after receiving your application and payment.

  How to Maintain Fertilizer Certification

  Fertilizer certification expires every three years. The deadline varies depending on if you have a pesticide license, and if you are a private or commercial certificate holder.

  For pesticide applicators, the fertilizer certification deadline synchronizes with the private (March 31) or commercial (Sept. 30) pesticide recertification deadlines. If you have no pesticide license, the expiration date is March 31.

  To recertify, you must either attend a one-hour fertilizer recertification program or retake the fertilizer exam by the recertification deadline. Contact your county’s OSU Extension office for recertification programs near you or check online at nutrienteducation.osu.edu. Most fertilizer recertification meetings are offered in January through March.

  If you maintain a pesticide license, there is no additional fee for fertilizer certification, but you must satisfy the pesticide and fertilizer recertification requirements and pay the pesticide license fee to maintain a valid license/certificate.

  Fertilizer applicators who do not hold a pesticide license will receive a $30 invoice and a renewal application from ODA every three years prior to the expiration of their fertilizer applicator certificate.

  Ohio’s Recordkeeping Requirements for Agricultural Fertilizer Applications

  Applications must be recorded within 24 hours of the application and maintained for three years by the certified applicator. Records must contain:

  • name(s) of applicator and certificate holder
  • date of application (month, day, and year)
  • location of fertilizer application
  • number of acres treated
  • rate of application (i.e., pounds of fertilizer per acre)
  • total amount of fertilizer applied (weight or volume)
  • fertilizer analysis (e.g., 11-52-0)
  • application method (soil injected, incorporated, surface-applied, etc.)
  • soil conditions at the time of the application
  • yes or no answers indicating if ground was frozen or snow-covered (for surface applications only)
  • air temperature and precipitation at the time of the application
  • weather forecast for the day following the application

  There is no standard format, but the record must contain all items listed. Records must be available to ODA upon request.

  How Does Fertilizer Certification Relate to Affirmative Defense for Private Civil Action?

  

  There is an affirmative defense for private civil action against a fertilizer applicator when three conditions are met:

  1. The applicator is certified or worked under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
  2. The fertilizer records are maintained.
  3. The fertilizer was applied according to and in substantial compliance with a voluntary nutrient management plan (VNMP). VNMPs are submitted for approval every five years to the Soil and Water Conservation District.

  Additional Fertilizer Regulations in Northwest Ohio

  There are additional regulations affecting fertilizer and manure applications to snow-covered, frozen, or saturated soils in the Lake Erie western basin watershed. See nutrienteducation.osu.edu for more information.

  Additional Resources

  

  For questions about study guides, recertification, and training opportunities, contact:

  Pesticide Safety Education Program
  Ohio State University Extension
  Phone: 614-292-4070
  Email: pested@osu.edu
  Website: pested.osu.edu

  For questions about certification and exams, contact:

  Ohio Department of Agriculture
  Phone: 614-728-6987
  Email: pesticides@agri.ohio.gov
  Website: agri.ohio.gov