Sec. 56. (a) The state chemist shall establish and administer a program to register individuals as registered technicians.

     (b) An individual who is a registered technician is authorized to use general use pesticides or fertilizer materials for hire if the individual is employed by a business that is licensed under section 48 of this chapter.

     (c) An individual applying to be a registered technician must do the following:

(1) Meet one (1) of the following requirements:

(A) Pass the commercial applicator core examination described in 355 IAC 4-1-2.1.

(B) Complete an initial applicator core training program that has been developed and delivered by Purdue pesticide programs.

(C) Complete a registered technician initial training program that has been developed and delivered by Purdue pesticide programs.

(D) Complete an online self-study registered technician initial training program that has been developed by Purdue pesticide programs or a vendor approved by the state chemist.

(2) Submit a completed application to the state chemist on a form provided by the state chemist.

(3) Submit a nonrefundable application fee of forty-five dollars ($45) to the state chemist.

     (d) Subject to section 65 of this chapter, the state chemist shall issue the appropriate technician registration to an individual who meets the requirements under subsection (c).

     (e) Until the state chemist issues the appropriate technician registration under subsection (d), an individual who meets one (1) of the requirements under subsection (c)(1) may immediately begin to work as a registered technician for a licensed pesticide business if the individual sends an electronic mail message to the state chemist stating the following:

(1) The name of the licensed pesticide business.

(2) The name of the individual.

(3) A statement from the individual verifying that the individual meets one (1) of the requirements under subsection (c)(1).

(4) A statement that the individual will submit the individual’s application and the application fee required under this section to the state chemist not more than five (5) business days after sending the electronic mail message.

     (f) If the state chemist does not issue a technician registration to an individual who applied for a technician registration, the state chemist shall inform the individual in writing of the reason the registration was not issued.

     (g) An individual’s registration eligibility remains in force from the date of passing the examination or attending the initial training described in subsection (c) through December 31 of the fourth year, unless the registration is revoked or suspended for cause.

     (h) The registration eligibility period may be extended for an additional five (5) years if the registered technician accumulates at least eight (8) continuing registration credits by attending at least two (2) state chemist approved continuing registration programs while the individual’s registration is in force. The individual’s registration may be extended indefinitely by complying with the requirements of this subsection.

     (i) A registered technician’s registration expires on December 31 of each year, unless renewed by payment of the renewal application fee, postmarked by December 31. To renew after December 31 the individual must include a penalty fee, as established by section 60 of this chapter, in addition to the renewal application fee.

[Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-3-3.6-10.1.]

As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.29-2024, SEC.47.