Write the pesticide certification exam
Last updated on July 26, 2023All certificates (or records of completion for assistant applications) are first issued by passing the exam.
All certificates and records of completion holders may recertify by successfully completing an exam.
On this page
- Pesticide applicator and dispenser certificates
- Assistant applicators
- Residential applicator certificates (RAC)
Pesticide applicator and dispenser certificates
All certified applicators and dispensers must write an exam to get their first certificate. All certificate holders can recertify by successfully completing an exam. Out-of-province certificate holders must also write an exam to be certified to use or sell pesticides in B.C.
Pesticide study materials and training courses are available to help you prepare for the exam. Ensure you have the most current version of the study materials for your certificate category before arranging to write the exam.
Exams can be written at:
- Service BC offices
- Recognized government offices inside and outside of B.C.
- Recognized post-secondary institutions inside and outside of B.C.
- A pesticide training course
- An arranged location with an approved invigilator
- Off-site locations within the service area of a Service BC office
- This option is only available for groups of 6 to 24 candidates and is at the discretion of Service BC
All exams must be invigilated (supervised) by a ministry-approved person. Invigilators cannot answer questions during the exam.
If you're interested in becoming an approved invigilator, visit the approved invigilator's page.
Exams are arranged by contacting Service BC:
- Phone: 1-866-205-2102
- Email PesticideAdmin@gov.bc.ca for guidance
If you're writing the exam at a pesticide training course or with an approved invigilator, contact them first. They will arrange the exam with Service BC on your behalf.
Your exam mark will determine the term of your certificate:
| Exam Mark | Certificate Term |
|---|---|
| 75% and above | 5 years |
| 60% - 74% | 1 year |
| 59% and below | No certificate |
When you're ready to arrange your exam, follow the steps for writing an exam.
The process is slightly different if you're writing an exam in B.C. or if you're writing an exam out-of-province.
Please see the pesticide certificate exam invigilation guidelines for more information on exam arrangements.
Steps for writing an exam in B.C.
If you'll be writing your exam at a pesticide training course or with an approved invigilator, contact them instead of Service BC.
When you contact them, you'll also arrange the date, time and location for your exam.
They may have additional fees for their services.
Step 1: Call Service BC
- Let them know which certificate category exam you want to write
- Choose an exam location
- Provide your contact information
- Pay the non-refundable $90 exam fee with your credit card
Service BC will email your exam to the invigilator at your chosen exam location.
- Allow 3 to 5 business days for the exam to arrive
Step 2: Contact the office of your chosen exam location
- Arrange the date and time to write your exam
Step 3: Write the exam at the arranged location
- You must provide proof of identification (valid government-issued photo ID, such as your driver's licence)
- Bring your study materials (the exam is open book)
- Bring a non-programmable calculator
- No other electronic devices are allowed (for example, cell phone)
- Make sure the 6-digit exam ID is the same on all your exam materials
- The exam will not score properly unless they match
- The time given to write the exam is between one and 3 hours, depending on the exam category
If you do not write your exam within 60 days of it being delivered to your chosen exam location, the exam will be returned and the fee will be forfeited.
Step 4: Exam results are mailed to you
- Allow up to 3 weeks for your exam to be marked and the results to be sent to you
- Do not call for your results unless it has been more than 3 weeks since you wrote your exam
- If you have passed the exam, you'll receive your certificate in the mail
Steps for writing an exam out-of-province
Step 1: Find an exam invigilator
- Contact the office of a government or post-secondary institution in your area where you can write the B.C. certification exam
- This is generally at a location that provides pesticide training and exams
- Figure out who will invigilate your exam
- Get their contact information (name, telephone number and email address)
Step 2: Call Service BC
- Let them know that you wish to write a pesticide applicator or dispenser certificate out-of-province
- Give them the contact information of the person who will invigilate your exam
- Provide your contact information
- Pay the non-refundable $90 exam fee with your credit card
Service BC will email your exam to the invigilator at your chosen exam location.
- Allow 3 to 5 business days for the exam to arrive
Step 3: Contact your invigilator
- Arrange the date, time and location to write your exam
Step 4: Write the exam at the arranged location
- You must provide proof of identification (valid government-issued photo ID, such as your driver's licence)
- Bring your study materials (the exam is open book)
- Bring a non-programmable calculator
- No other electronic devices are allowed (for example, cell phone)
- Make sure the 6-digit exam ID is the same on all your exam materials
- The exam will not score properly unless they match
- The time given to write the exam is between one and 3 hours, depending on the exam category
If you do not write your exam within 60 days of it being delivered to your chosen exam location, the exam will be returned and the fee will be forfeited.
Step 5: Exam results are mailed to you
- Allow up to 3 weeks for your exam to be marked and the results to be sent to you
- Do not call for your results unless it has been more than 3 weeks since you wrote your exam
- If you have passed the exam, you'll receive your certificate in the mail
Assistant applicators
Assistant applicators do not require certification, but as of July 1, 2016, they're required to undertake annual training and pass an exam provided by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. You must get a passing grade of at least 75% in the final exam to receive a record of completion.
The course and exam are available online and are free of charge. You can review the course online or you can download the materials and review the modules without internet access. You'll need internet access to write the final exam.
The course and exam should take approximately 4 hours to complete and must be completed annually to be able to apply pesticides under the supervision of a certified applicator.
Residential applicator certificates (RAC)
You need to get a residential applicator certificate to apply most domestic class pesticides for landscaping purposes on your private residential property.
To get a residential applicator certificate, you must complete the online course and pass an exam provided by the ministry. You must also complete the course and exam to recertify.
The course and exam can be accessed on a computer and on mobile devices. The RAC course and exam are free of charge and take approximately 2 hours to complete.
You must get a passing grade of at least 75% in the final exam to receive a residential applicator certificate. Your certificate will be valid for 10 years.