The Federal Plan for Certifying Applicators in Navajo Indian Country

Applicator Certification is Required

Any person who intends to purchase and/or apply Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) in Navajo Indian Country must hold a valid "U.S. EPA Certified Pesticide Applicator in Navajo Indian Country" card. Under FIFRA Section 11, applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) must be certified, or make application while under the direct supervision of a certified applicator when they apply such pesticides. Failure to hold the appropriate certification may result in federal enforcement action (FIFRA Section 12(a)(2)(F)).

On February 3, 2006, EPA solicited comments on its intent to implement a federal certification program in Navajo Indian Country.

The federal plan became effective June 13, 2007.

As part of the implementation of the Federal certification plan, the U.S. EPA Region 9 office entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the:

  • Navajo Indian County.
  • Arizona Department of Agriculture.
  • Arizona Structural Pest Control Commission.
  • Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

The MOUs outline how the region and the state certifying agencies will share information about applicators certified to apply RUPs in Navajo Indian Country.

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How to obtain an EPA Pesticide Applicator Certificate in Navajo Indian Country

Step 1: Get state applicator certification or get and complete self-study manual (Self-study option for PRIVATE APPLICATORS ONLY)

You may also submit certificates from other states which we may accept on a case-by-case basis.

  • Although we encourage all applicators to be TRAINED AND CERTIFIED through a state certification program, applicators who apply RUPs to produce an agricultural product on their own property or that of their employers (private applicators) may become certified by completing a self-study manual. The self-study manual is available from EPA Region 9 by emailing Katy Wilcoxen (wilcoxen.katy@epa.gov) or calling (415) 972-3793.

Step 2: Fill out and submit form to US EPA Region 9 Pacific Southwest Office

  • Fill out the "Request for Federal Restricted Use Pesticide Applicator Certificate" (see Instructions for Completing the Form  and the EPA form 8500-17-N) and mail with a 1 ¼ inch by 1 inch photo (similar to a drivers license or passport photograph) and a copy of your state certificate to:

    Pesticide Office, Worker Safety Program
    Land Division, USEPA Region 9
    75 Hawthorne St., R9-LND-2-2
    San Francisco, CA 94105-3901

Step 3: Contact the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide Program OfficeExit

  • You will receive a letter and certification card from EPA Region 9. For information on additional tribal codes or ordinances that may apply, contact:
Glenna Lee (glennalee@navajo-nsn.gov)
Navajo Nation Environmental Progrection Agency
Pesticide Program
P.O. Box 339
Window Rock, Arizona 86515
Phone: (928) 871-7815
 

Points to Remember

  • The U.S. EPA Applicator card expires on the same date as the state certificate on which it is based.
  • If the state certificate/license on which the EPA applicator certificate is based is canceled, suspended or revoked, the U.S. EPA certificate will likewise be canceled, suspended or revoked.
  • Be sure the certification you get from the state is in the appropriate category to apply the types of pesticides you plan to use. Refer to state categories and definitions (link to table of categories/definitions). The U.S. EPA applicator card will be issued in the EXACT same category shown on the state certificate.
  • Navajo Nation EPA Pesticide Program has a cooperative agreement with U.S. EPA to conduct pesticide inspections using federal authority. All inspections conducted using federal credentials are forwarded to U.S. EPA for review and action if violations are found.
  • The Navajo Nation EPA Pesticide Program regulates pesticides in Navajo Indian Country and has the authority to inspect pesticide use at any time without prior notification.

Related Information

Find out about pesticide applicator certification in other areas of Indian Country.

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