FRANKFORT (March 19, 2020) The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is releasing new guidance regarding the testing, certification, and licensure of all pesticide operators and applicators regulated in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All state agencies in the Commonwealth of Kentucky have been ordered to cease all in-person government services effective March 17, 2020. In order to address the need for the use of pesticides for the production of food and the reduction of household pests, including the need for anti-microbial pesticides, the KDA is issuing the following guidance.

Commercial and Non-Commercial Pesticide Licenses:
• Testing for all licenses is suspended;
• For all license holders whose certification expired December 31, 2019, the KDA will extend their certification period until December 31, 2020 upon payment of license fees for 2020 at https://www.kyagr-apps.com/AgExternal/Security/Account/Registration
• Individuals seeking a new applicator license will be issued a trainee license until certification testing resumes;
• No new commercial operator licenses will be issued.

Private Applicator Licenses:
• For all private applicators whose certification expired December 31, 2019, the KDA (in cooperation with the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology) will extend their certification period until December 31, 2020;
• Training for new private applicator licenses will be handled by the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology through remote methods. This training will be available online beginning Monday, March 23, 2020 at https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/uk-pesticide-safety-education-program-psep.

These measures will remain in effect until further notice.

Please direct any questions to the KDA’s Division of Environmental Services by calling (502) 573-0282.