Applicators license question

[Steve]

I would be interested in knowing how the testing differs for the company vs individual applicator as well.

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[Billz]

Lawn care business tips

yes, I am wondering if I could hire an applicator part time, and use his license to get my company licensed.

[Steve]

Good idea! Very creative! I wonder what Troy's view is.

I really don't know about whether you could use someones experience to get a business license. There is actually no test for the business pesticide license part, just the applicator license part there are basically two tests to take.


These are the requirements for Michigan

To get an applicator license:
1. Take a core exam, and pass it with a 70% or better
2. Take a sub-group exam based on what field you are going to go into and you must pass it with a 70% or better

To get the business license you can get it two different ways:
1. Work for another company for a minimum of 2 years
2. Work for another company for a minimum of 1 year, and have 4 year college degree related to the green industry

[kc2006]

They're more strict up in MI then in Ohio. Now wonder the application side of business is so untouched up there.

Here all you need is to show proof of insurance and have a commercial applicator's license and pay $35 and you have a business license.

Yes, really strict. It took me a little over 2 years to get my business pesticide license. It was really hard. Then to get that license, you must show proof of a minimum coverage of insurance like you mentioned

[Steve]

Troy,
This is another great reason to focus on this market because the barrier to enter is so high. It weeds out competitors.

[Billz]

it doesn't weed out many guys. I see them every day, in unmarked trucks, with a spreader in the truck and few bags in back with it. I think part of the regulations to fert as a business is you have to have a truck that is lettered, and not even magnetic signs will work, right?

Well I wonder why I can't hire a guy from say TruGreen who is licensed in Michigan, and fert that way. I will never have the time to work for another company for 2 years to get a business license then...that is stupid. I sub all my fert stuff out now, but would like that to change one day. Would working one day per week for my fert guy serve as experience?

Bill,
What I always push for when I meet customers is that I am licensed and certified through the state. I explain to them the cons of not hiring a license application company. Yes, I know that there are lawn care companies out there that still do applications and they don't have a license, but I think that more and more are realizing that what they are doing is illegal. Perfect example, I just talked with an LCO on Friday that I know has always done pesticide applications illegally, will he actually asked me if I would mind if he sent work my way because he doesn't want to get into trouble.

I think that it would be perfectly fine to sub-contract work out, but I don't think that you could hire someone on that has the experience, and then a get a business license off from just his experience. I could be wrong, but I don't think that you can.

[Billz]

Well, if I was to take the tests and pass them for fert and such...how can I fertilize then without a business license? Could I sub the work to myself personally? Why will they give me a pesticide license but then not my company unless I had 2 years of experience with another company? That doesn't make sense to me.