Pesticide Use Permits

The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office issues Permits for the purchase and use of California restricted-use pesticides and Operator Identification Numbers for agricultural uses of all other pesticides. Restricted use pesticides are considered to have a higher potential to cause harm to public health, farmworkers, domestic animals, honeybees, the environment, wildlife, or other crops compared to other pesticides. With certain exceptions, restricted-use pesticides may be purchased and used only by or under the supervision of a certified commercial or private applicator with a valid permit issued by the County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC).

The purpose of Restricted Materials permits is to allow our office to evaluate each proposed application site and surrounding properties, identify any potential adverse effects and require site-specific mitigation procedures to be followed (beyond the label and applicable regulations) to prevent any unacceptable risks.

Restricted Materials Permit (RMP) for production agriculture are only issued to the operator of the property or his or her authorized representative (see Pesticide Permitting Forms below).

To renew or apply for a RMP you must present the following:

• Completed Application (see Pesticide Permitting Forms below).
• An Alternatives Worksheet list each restricted active ingredient requested (see Pesticide Permitting Forms below).
• A copy of your private or commercial applicator license/certification;
• A signed authorization letter if you are not the operator of the property (see Pesticide Permitting Forms below); and
• Copies of clear, legible maps for each location on your permit. Maps must include permit/operator ID number, company/organization name, ranch name, ranch number, year, lot numbers and acreage, pesticide storage areas, section, township, and range (if known), adjacent neighbors, wells, reservoirs, north arrow, ranch access/entry point, cross streets or physical address, landmarks (power poles, equipment yards, gates, fences, ditches, trees, etc.), and sensitive sites within a ¼ mile.

The permit evaluation process is initiated with the receipt of the restricted materials permit application.

The permit evaluation process continues with our review of each NOI and the pre-application site evaluation.

Permits are typically issued at the beginning of the year; therefore, predicting insect or weed infestations and scheduling pesticide applications months in advance is not recommended. Applicants must let us know each time they plan to use any of the restricted materials listed on their permit.

After the permittee files an NOI with the CAC in the time specified, in most instances, 24 hours before application, an evaluation of the proposed use begins. Our NOI review and acceptance or denial complete the evaluation process for the restricted material at the proposed site and time. If the application needs to be postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions or equipment failure, the permittee has up to four days after the date on the NOI to begin the application.

The following information must be included on the NOI, if it is not already listed on the restricted materials permit:

• Date(s) or crop stage(s) of intended restricted material application(s);
• Method of application (including dilution, volume per acre or other units, and dosage); and
• Name of the pest control business (if any), applicant name, business address, and the license or certificate number with the expiration date of the certified private or commercial applicator responsible for supervising the possession or use of the restricted material(s).

The Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office now accepts electronic Notice of Intents (NOIs) via CalAgPermits. NOIs for grower-applied applications can be submitted using a CalAgPermits username and password. Please contact our Pesticide Main Office at 559-600-7510 extension 2 for assistance. Email: agfresnodistrict@fresnocountyca.gov

As described by labels, sensitive sites are areas frequented by non-occupational bystanders (especially children). These include residential lawns, pedestrian sidewalks, outdoor recreational areas such as school grounds, athletic fields, parks, and all property associated with buildings occupied by humans for residential or commercial purposes. Sensitive sites include, but are not limited to, homes, certified producer and small specialty crop on-site structures, farmworker housing, or other residential buildings, schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, and hospitals. Non-residential agricultural buildings, including barns, livestock facilities, sheds, and outhouses, are not included in the prohibition.

The operator of the property is a person who owns the property and/or is legally entitled to possess or use the property through terms of a lease, rental contract, trust, or other documented management agreement.

A private applicator is a person who uses or supervises the use of a pesticide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned, leased, or rented by him/her or his/her employer. An agricultural commodity is any plant, fungus, or algae, or part thereof, or any animal or animal product, produced by a person primarily for sale, consumption, propagation, or other use by man or animals.

To become certified, a private applicator must come into our main office, take a written examination and pass with 70%. No fee is required to take the exam or obtain the certificate. The certificate is renewed either through continuing education or by passing the exam.

To purchase the study guide, you can buy a hard copy for $29 plus tax from us (check availability 559-600-7510). The UC Cooperative extension has a hard copy available to order online, or purchase a downloadable pdf for $10 on Google Play.

The Spanish language version of the hard copy is available, or purchase a downloadable Spanish pdf for $10 on Google Play.

PAC exams are given on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment only. A photo ID must be presented. Additional group testing opportunities are available. 

To make an appointment, call or email:
559-600-7510
fresnoag@fresnocountyca.gov

Attention: All private applicators currently certified will need to take the revised initial PAC examination beginning January 1, 2024, that includes revised competency standards upon their next renewal.

Taking this examination is not optional. Renewing through continuing education will not be an option until an individual has taken and passed the revised initial PAC examination that includes revised competency standards. This will be required at time of renewal and will occur over a three-year period as follows:

• PAC with last names “R-Z” expiring December 31, 2023
• PAC with last names “A-H” expiring December 31, 2024
• PAC with last names “I-Q” expiring December 31, 2025

Since January 1, 2024, PAC holders will need to take and pass the New Initial PAC Exam and New Burrowing Vertebrate Pest Fumigation (BVF) Certification in order to use aluminum phosphide to control burrowing rodents. The BVF certification is only for persons using or supervising the use of aluminum phosphide for burrowing vertebrate control on property owned, leased, or rented by them or their employer. ONLY private applicators who have taken and passed the revised initial PAC Examination (version released on October 1, 2022) are eligible to take the BVF certification examination. Private Applicators who intend to use any other type of pesticide labeled as a fumigant must obtain a Qualified Applicator Certificate or License (QAC or QAL) in the appropriate fumigant use category(ies). For example, if the individual intends to use or supervise the use of a pesticide at an on-farm post-harvest commodity fumigation using aluminum phosphide or sulfuryl fluoride, they need to obtain a QAC or QAL with Category M (Non-Soil Fumigation).

The study material for the BVF is available to download here(PDF, 1MB).

Continuing Education (CE) hours will only count for renewal once a PAC holder has taken the revised competency initial test. The CE hours must be taken during the valid period listed on the certificate. The valid period is from the date of issue until the expiration date listed on the certification card.

• CE and Events Calendar

The purpose of operator identification numbers is to purchase pesticides and enable the tracking of agricultural (grower and pest control business applied) uses through pesticide use reporting.

Operator Identification Number (OIN)

Our office issues OINs to persons wanting to apply pesticides in agricultural areas (agricultural production, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, ditches, along farm roads, and rights-of-way).

OINs are only issued to the property operator or their authorized representative.

To obtain or renew an OIN, you must present the following:

• Completed Application (see Pesticide Permitting Forms below).
• A signed authorization letter if you are not the operator of the property (see Pesticide Permitting Forms below); and
• Copies of clear, legible maps for each location on your OIN. Maps must include: permit/ operator ID number, company/organization name, ranch name, ranch number, year, lot numbers and acreage, pesticide storage areas, section, township, and range (if known), adjacent neighbors, wells, reservoirs, north arrow, ranch access/entry point, cross streets or physical address, landmarks (power poles, equipment yards, gates, fences, ditches, trees, etc.), and sensitive sites within a ¼ mile.

Growers are required to report the pesticides they use to the county’s agricultural commissioner in which the application was made. These reports are submitted by the 10th of the month following the pesticide use. Commercial pest control businesses are required to report the use of pesticides to the commissioner within seven days of completion of the application. Pesticides that require reporting are those with Environmental Protection Agency Registration (EPA REG) Numbers stated on the label.

Web-Based Reporting

CalAgPermits is California’s new free web-based (online) pesticide use reporting program. This program offers free services intended to simplify and streamline pesticide reporting process. Visit the CalAgPermits website at calagpermits.org.

• Video - How to Complete PURs
• Video - For Bait Station MSPURs

As a CalAgPermits web-user, you will be able to view your permit, review historical data related to your Pesticide Use Reports (PUR), and submit PURs online directly to the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. If you would like to be issued a CalAgPermits username and password, please contact our office at 559-600-7510 extension 6.

Users may reference the following user guide to help you navigate through CalAgPermits pesticide use reporting.

• Fresno County Online Use Report Entry Guide(PDF, 2MB)

Other online pesticide use reporting services compatible with CalAgPermits include, but are not limited to

• Agrian
• CDMS
• Ladybug
• SureHarvest
• TigerJill

California has adopted regulations that address agricultural pesticide applications near public K-12 schools and licensed child daycare centers (collectively referred to as schoolsites). These regulations provide minimum distance standards for specific agricultural pesticide applications near schoolsites and require annual notifications to schoolsites. The goal is to reduce the chances of unintended pesticide exposure to children and increase communication between growers, County Agricultural Commissioners, and schoolsites.

“Schoolsite,” as used in regulation, means any property used as a child daycare facility, as defined in Health and Safety Code section 1596.750, or for a kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school. Included are all areas of the property used on weekdays by children who attend such facilities or schools. Also included are properties identified by the commissioner as a park adjacent to a school used by the school for recess, sports, or other school activities.

Pesticide application restrictions will apply from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Restrictions depend on the distance from the treated area to a schoolsite, the application equipment used, and the type of pesticide applied.

Pesticide applications expected for the production of an agricultural commodity within 1/4 mile of a school site, must be included in an annual notification no later than April 30 each year.

Property operators should notify the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner, Principals of public K-12 schools, and administrators of child daycare facilities. Notification will remain valid from July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the next year. If a pesticide intended for application is not on the annual notification, the property operator must provide an amended notification to all previously listed at least 48 hours before application.

Related Links

• Annual Notification of Pesticides Used Near Schools and Child Day Care Centers
• Annual Notification of Pesticides Used Near Schools and Child Day Care Centers – Amended
• Fact Sheet Addressing Addressing Pesticides Used Near Schools and Child Day Care Facilities

Applications

All Restricted Materials Permit renewal applications must include an Alternatives Considered Worksheet. A worksheet must be completed for each California restricted pesticide active ingredient requested:

• Alternatives Considered Worksheet(PDF, 271KB)

To renew or apply for a Restricted Materials Permit (RMP) or Operator Identification Number (OIN) for Production Agriculture, use this form:

• Production Agricultural Application for RMP or OIN(PDF, 265KB)

All other applicants to renew or apply for either Non-Production Ag or Non-Ag RMP or OIN. use this form:

• Non-Production Ag or Non-Ag Application for RMP or OIN(PDF, 285KB)

Letters of Authorization (LOA)

When the owner, president, or CEO uses a business name for their Restricted Materials Permit (RMP) or Operator Identification Number (OIN) in Fresno County, we require a Letter of Authorization which identifies the person responsible for operating the property.  Or when you want to authorize a representative to represent you or your company in obtaining a RMP or OIN for use in Fresno County, we require you to complete this form:

• Letter of Authorization(PDF, 224KB)

When a management company is given authority by a property operator through a management agreement to farm their property, Fresno County requires you to complete this form.

• Letter of Authorization – Management Arrangement(PDF, 198KB)