The Continuing Certification Program (CCH) system is a program of continuing certification designed to encourage certified applicators to stay abreast of changes pertinent to their work and increase professional competency. By utilizing this system, applicators maintain a continuous learning pattern whereby their knowledge is expanded.
Certification of commercial applicators is generally a two-step process. Applicators seeking certification will take a Core examination that addresses the fundamentals of pesticide use and a Category exam that relates directly to their field of professional interest. Once the required exams are passed, certification is good for five (5) years.
Below you will find the general information for each category type. This will include any requirements for initial training, certification, and recertification.
Information for exams and CCH programs can be found here: Exams
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Pesticide Core Exam:
Description: Pesticide Core Exam addresses the fundamentals of pesticide use, and:
- Is required for Commercial Applicators.
- Is required for Private Applicators who:
- purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides;
- does not attend three recertification programs by the permit expiration date (five years to complete).
Category 1 - Agricultural Pest Management
Required CCHs: 20
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides on non-crop agricultural lands such as pastures or in the production of agricultural crops, including, but not limited to: Grains, Soybeans and oil seed, Forage, Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 2 - Forest Pest Management
Required CCHs: 10
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides in forest or forest nurseries.
Core required.
Category 3a - Ornamental Pest Management
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides on ornamental plants and related areas such as: Driveways, Sidewalks, Residential parking areas, Landscape beds, Fence lines.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 3b - Turf Management
Required CCHs: 20
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides or fertilizers on turf, including fertilizer application onto customer’s lawns. This category does not include the use of pesticides for the purpose of managing pests to prevent infestation of a structure.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 4 - Aquatic Pest Management
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides purposefully applied to: Standing or running water, Wetland, Related areas such as riprap.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 6 - Industrial Weed Management
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides in the maintenance of public or private: Roads, Utility rights of way, Pipelines, Railway rights of way, Parking lots, Ditch banks, Riprap, Fence lines, Restoration areas, Substations, other similar areas.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 7a - Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Management
Required CCHs: 20
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides for management of pests other than termites in or around structures such as: Human dwellings, Offices, Retail establishments, Farm structures, Restaurants, Warehouses, Institutional establishments, Industrial facilities, Food processing facilities.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 7b - Termite Control
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides for the management of termites and other wood destroying organisms. Certification in this category also qualifies individuals to inspect structures for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of evidence of termites or other wood destroying organisms.
In addition to passing the Pesticide Core and category 7b exam, to be certified in this category as a commercial, for-hire termite control operator, applicator must also attend a mandatory workshop hosted by Purdue Pesticide Programs. These workshops are held in March and September. Call 765-494-4566 or email
View the Termite Control Customer Disclosure Form.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 7d - Fumigation
Required CCHs: 20
Description: Certification in this category is required for all individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides that in the gaseous state are designed to kill or repel pests.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 8 - Community-Wide Mosquito Control
Required CCHs: 15
Description: This category includes governmental employees or other individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides for community-wide mosquito abatement.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 11 - Aerial Application
Required CCHs: 20
Description: Certification in this category is required for all individuals who apply pesticides by means of: Fixed wing aircraft, Rotary wing aircraft, Ultra-light aircraft, Lighter-than-air aircraft.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 12 - Wood Destroying Pest Inspection
Required CCHs: 10
Description: Certification in this category limits individuals to the inspection of structures for the purpose of determining evidence of the presence or absence of termites or other wood destroying organisms. It does not permit these individuals to use or supervise the use of pesticides for hire. The certification requirements for this category shall be determined by the State Chemist.
Certification in Category 12 requires the applicant to pass the specific category exam, the Core examination is not required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Category exam.
Category 13 - Limited Certification
Required CCHs: 10
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of a very limited number of specialized pesticides in or on a very limited number of types of sites and situations not adequately covered by other categories listed in this section. The requirements for these limited certifications shall be determined by the State Chemist, but for most sites and situations, certification in Category 13 requires that the Core exam be passed.
Core required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Core and Category exams.
Category 14 - Agricultural Fertilizer Application
Required CCHs: 3
Description: This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of fertilizer material (commercial fertilizer or manure from a Confined Feeding Operation (CFO) for the purpose of producing an agricultural crop on the property of another for hire.
Certification in Category 14 requires the applicant to pass the specific category exam, the Core examination is not required.
If you do not complete required CCHs prior to certification expiration (5-year period), you will need to retake the Category exam.
Category RT - Registered Technician
Required CCHs: 8
Description: This individual must be supervised by a fully-certified applicator.
Not all pesticide applicators in commercial settings need to be certified. Non-certified applicators may become registered technicians. Registered technicians can perform applications of General Use Pesticides (GUP) for which their supervisor is certified, and the supervisor need not be physically present.
For more information, please review our Registered Technicians page.
If you have any questions, please contact Cassie Davis:
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - (765) 494-9563