Several persons have asked about the legality of persons under 18 years old applying pesticides.
Regarding Commercial Applicators and Registered Technicians, the rules are clear: VDACS adheres to the Labor and Employment section of the Code of Virginia (Title 40.1: Labor and Employment).
Chapter 5 focuses on Child Labor and Section 40.1-100.1 states No person shall employ, suffer, or permit a child to work in any gainful occupation that exposes such child to a recognized hazard capable of causing serious physical harm or death to such child. Any person violating this section shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty in accordance with § 40.1-113 of this chapter.
The Office of Pesticide Services applies the section on “recognized hazard capable of causing serious physical harm or death” to apply to Commercial and Registered Technician Pesticide Licenses; persons under 18 are not allowed to obtain those licenses.