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Industrial vegetation and noxious weed pesticide applicator certificate

Last updated on January 30, 2026

Get certified to apply pesticides to:

  • Manage weeds on industrial land, rights-of-way (roadsides, power lines, railways and pipelines)
  • Oilfield sites (wells and battery)
  • Control invasive plants and noxious weeds on private or public land

Pilots wishing to apply pesticides by aircraft for these purposes must get an aerial applicator certificate.

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Graphic overview of the process to get your certificate

Flowchart showing the pesticide certification process

 

What study materials do I need?

The study materials for the industrial vegetation and noxious weed pesticide applicator certificate are:

  • Canadian Pesticide Education Program Applicator Core Manual British Columbia Edition (2011)
  • Canadian Pesticide Education Program Industrial Vegetation and Noxious Weed Control Manual British Columbia Edition (2025)

Using older editions of the study materials is not recommended when preparing for the exam.

In addition to the above manuals, download and print relevant Sector Review papers in preparation for the exam.

Required reading for reciprocity exams (for out of province certificate holders wishing to work in B.C.):

 

Which exam should I write?

Option 1): Write the Industrial Vegetation exam

  • Get the study materials listed above
  • Arrange to write the 3-hour Industrial Vegetation exam by contacting Service BC
  • The cost to write the exam is $90
  • Your exam mark will determine the term of your certificate:
    • 5 year (75% and above)
    • 1 year (60% to 74%)

Option 2): Reciprocity for out-of-province certificates

  • You have a valid 5-year pesticide applicator certificate in a similar category from another Canadian province
  • Review the required reading for reciprocity exams listed above
  • Arrange to write the one hour IPM Act and Regulation: Industrial Veg./Noxious Weed exam by contacting Service BC
  • The cost to write the exam is $90
  • You must receive at least 75% on the IPM Act and Regulation exam to be issued a B.C. industrial vegetation and noxious weed pesticide applicator certificate
    • Your B.C. certificate will be valid for 5 years from the date the out-of-province pesticide applicator certificate was issued
 

How do I recertify?

Option 1): Recertify by exam

  • Industrial vegetation and noxious weed pesticide applicator certificates can recertify by writing the Industrial Vegetation exam
  • The cost to write the exam is $90

Option 2): Recertify by CECs

  • If you held a 5-year certificate, you have the option of recertifying by collecting continuing education credits (CECs)
  • To be recertified using this process, you must get 20 CECs over 5 years
  • The cost to recertify by CECs is $25

Recertification credits for industrial vegetation and noxious weed pesticide applicator certificates are managed by the following private industry associations:

Integrated and Environmental Plant Management Association of Western Canada

Integrated Vegetation Management Association of B.C.

 

Order certificate study materials online from Crown Publications

Contact an independent trainer for certification courses or find an approved invigilator.

Contact Service BC to arrange writing certification exams: