Tennessee pesticide applicators will now have improved access to required certification testing thanks to new and streamlined services. Applicators will be able to pay for and schedule tests online and receive results immediately following their exam.

"We are serious about providing effective services while wisely using taxpayer dollars," Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. "This change will improve the registration process and make it more convenient for applicators to take certification exams without any additional burdens to the industry or taxpayers."

The new pesticide certification, scheduling, and exam process is being administered for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture by PSI Services based out of Glendale, CA. The company has been doing business with Tennessee agencies since 2004.

State and federal law requires any person who commercially applies or supervises the use of pesticides to be certified. There are 12,623 commercial applicators, 1,464 chartered pest control companies, and 215 restricted use pesticide dealers licensed in Tennessee.

"We will continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure that they always have the testing access needed to responsibly, properly, and effectively apply pesticides," Hatcher said.

Testing is administered at the following locations: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville. Examinations are provided Monday through Saturday at various locations, and Tennessee certification exams may also be taken out of state where offered.

For more information on pesticide certification and licensing, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides.html.