Licensing  http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/licensing/licensetypes/pesticideapplicator.aspx

Summary:
The 2001 Minnesota Legislature required that any pesticide application made to golf course property must be made by an applicator licensed in the appropriate pesticide use category. Beginning in 2002, only a pesticide applicator licensed in the appropriate use category can make an application of general use or restricted use pesticides to grounds, water or structures on golf course property. Applications made by employees to greens, fairways, plants and other ground areas require an applicator be licensed as a noncommercial applicator in Categories A ( Core) and E (Turf and Ornamentals). Applications made to water or vegetation in water require an applicator be licensed in Categories A (Core) and F (Aquatic). Other types of pesticide application may require certification in other use categories. (Select the “Licensing” link above to review Minnesota’s pesticide applicator licensing requirements for golf course employees.) 

Recordkeeping http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/sitecore/content/Global/MDADocs/chemfert/sampleapprecords/ag01385cate.aspx

Summary:
Noncommercial applicators must keep records of restricted use pesticides. Each record must include the: (1) date of the pesticide use; (2) brand name of the pesticide, the EPA registration number, and dosage used; (3) number of units treated; (4) temperature, wind speed, and wind direction; (5) location of the site where the pesticide was applied; (6) time the pesticide application started and completed; (7) name and signature of applicator, name of company, license number of applicator, and address of applicator company; and (8) any other information required by the commissioner. Records must be retained by the applicator for five years after the date of treatment. (Select the “Recordkeeping” link above to review  a sample record meeting requirements for turf and ornamental application. Minnesota’s pesticide applicator recordkeeping requirements are located on the Pesticide Applicator Licensing page.)

Posting http://www.mda.state.mn.us/sitecore/content/Global/MDADocs/licensing/chemicals/warningsignsturf.aspx

Summary:
Minnesota does not have a statewide law requiring posting and notification on golf courses. However, the state law allows statutory and home rule charter cities to enact  an ordinance containing pesticide application warning information for turf applications as outlined by the following state regulation. Please contact your city's government to find out if your course is subject to posting and notification laws. If it does, the sign must be posted at the time of initial application and remain in place for 48 hours. The sign must project at least 18 inches above the top of the grass line, be made of rain-resistant material and be printed in contrasting colors with capitalized letters measuring at least 1/2 inch high. The sign must contain the name of the entity or person applying the pesticide and the following language (or other text approved by the commissioner of agriculture): "THIS AREA CHEMICALLY TREATED. KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS OFF UNTIL (date of safe entry)." Signs must be posted immediately adjacent to areas within the property where pesticides have been applied and at or near the entrances to the property. (Select the “Posting” link above to review Minnesota’s posting requirements.)

Notification

Summary:
Not Required.  Minnesota does not require notification prior to a chemical application to turf.  Minnesota does require notification prior to mosquito application.  http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/pesticideapplicator/mosquitonots.aspx

Reciprocity

Minnesota's pesticide license reciprocity does not usually apply to golf course superintendents because they are not considered "applicators for-hire" and would not travel across state lines to apply pesticides on another golf course. (If there is an instance when a superintendent works at more than one golf course, and they straddle the state line; the superintendent may use reciprocity to obtain a license outside of their home state. If a golf course superintendent moves to Minnesota and becomes employed in Minnesota, they must take and pass all Minnesota examinations and must become licensed/certified in the state of Minnesota.

Additional Info

Noncommercial applicators must be certified as competent to apply pesticides in Minnesota. Competency is determined by written tests administered by MDA. A MN pesticide applicator license and identification card will be issued after the following is done: 1) submit a completed pesticide applicator license application -- call 651/201-6615 to obtain an application and instruction materials; 2) pay license fee; and 3) become certified (study the manuals and pass required tests). A score of 70% or better is passing. Noncommercial applicators must also provide their social security number to the department. The license fee is $58.25 and there is no application fee. An applicant who is a government  employee who uses pesticides in the course of performing official duties must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $10. MN pesticide applicators must renew their license annually. Attendance at a recertification workshop must occur the year prior to license renewal. All licenses expire on December 31. A license renewal application received after March 1 in the year for which the license is to be issued is subject to a penalty fee of 50 percent of the application fee. The penalty fee must be paid before the renewal license may be issued. For more information, contact the Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division MN Dept. of Agriculture, at (651) 201-6615.

Additional Links

·        Golf Course Pesticide Applicator Requirements http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/golfcourse.aspx

·        License requirements for applicators(new and renewal)  http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/pesticideapplicator/licreqs.aspx     

·        Testing locations http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/pesticideapplicator/examcontacts.aspx     

·        MDA Application  http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/licensing/licensetypes/~/media/Files/licensing/chemicals/ag03030commnoncomm.ashx
       
Recordkeeping Forms http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/licensing/licensetypes/pesticideapplicator.aspx

Sample form Turf http://www.mda.state.mn.us/sitecore/content/Global/MDADocs/chemfert/sampleapprecords/ag01385cate.aspx
Sample form Aquatic http://www.mda.state.mn.us/sitecore/content/Global/MDADocs/chemfert/sampleapprecords/ag01416catf.aspx     

·        MN Statutes - Chapter 18B - Pesticide Control https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=18b·         

·        MDA Reciprocity  http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/pesticideapplicator/reciprocal.aspx

·        Backflow Prevention Guidelines http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/chemfert/bfprevent.pdf

   Mixing, Loading, and Storing Pesticides http://www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/bmps/mixing.aspx

   Pesticide Application How-To’s http://www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/bmps/applic.aspx

   Chemigation Permit Program http://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/fertilizers/chemigation.aspx

   Pesticide Facility Requirements http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/chemfert/facility.pdf

   Pesticide Containers: Management & Disposal     http://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/factshts/containermgmtdisposal.aspx

Pesticide Rinsate Management http://www.mda.state.mn.us/sitecore/content/Global/MDADocs/chemfert/others/rinsatemgmt.aspx

Pesticide and Fertilizer Storage: small Package Requirements http://www.mda.state.mn.us/sitecore/content/Global/MDADocs/chemfert/others/smlpkg.aspx

Guidelines for Developing and Maintaining an Incident Response Plan http://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/spills/incidentresponse/responseplan.aspx

Incident Response Plan, short form: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/chemfert/responseplan.pdf

Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education Study Materials Order form: http://www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides/pat/orderform.pdf

Contact information

Alice Waller, Consultant
Licensing & Certification Unit
Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street N
Saint Paul MN 55155-2538
Phone: 651/201-6284
Fax: 651/201-6105
alice.waller@state.mn.us or pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us