MDA Certifies 747 Professional Turfgrass Fertilizer Applicators; Outlines Requirements for Certification and Licensing Procedures

Updated 2/19/14

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that since July 2013, 747 turfgrass professionals have been certified to apply fertilizer to properties that they manage, as required by Maryland’s newly enacted Lawn Fertilizer Law. The law applies to professionals for hire as well as individuals responsible for turf management at golf courses, public parks, airports, athletic fields, businesses, cemeteries and other non-agricultural properties. In addition, MDA has issued 118 licenses to individuals and businesses engaged in commercially fertilizing turfgrass and lawns. A list of certified professionals is available on the MDA website at www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

“We are pleased with the overwhelming response and enthusiasm we have received from the turfgrass industry,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “We expect the program to be running at full steam during the next several months and providing water quality benefits to local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.”

Maryland’s lawn fertilizer law went into effect October 1, 2013. The law helps protect the Chesapeake Bay from excess nutrients entering its waters from a wide range of non-agricultural sources including hundreds of thousands of urban and suburban lawns. In addition to the new certification requirement for turfgrass professionals, manufacturers of lawn fertilizer products sold in Maryland were required to reduce the nitrogen content and eliminate phosphorus from most lawn fertilizer products. Turfgrass professionals and homeowners alike are now required to obey fertilizer application restrictions, use best management practices when applying fertilizer, observe fertilizer blackout dates and follow University of Maryland recommendations when fertilizing lawns. A winter fertilizer ban is currently in effect until March 1.

Turfgrass professionals seeking certification should visit MDA’s website at www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer for testing sessions, training materials, license applications and other useful tools. Here are the steps that turfgrass professionals need to take to comply with the law:

Register for Training and Certification
Professionals hired to apply fertilizer to turf must be certified by MDA or work under the direct supervision of an individual who is certified. MDA offers fertilizer applicator training sessions and certification exams throughout the year. Turfgrass professionals should visit the website for an exam schedule and to download the training manual and study guide.

Renew Certificates by June 30, 2015
Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certificates are valid through June 30, 2015. Beginning July 1, 2015, certificates will need to be renewed yearly for a $100 fee and verification of two hours of annual recertification training. The MDA website will have information on recertification classes later in the year.

(Note: If you already have a Professional Turfgrass Fertilizer Applicator Certificate or Business License, you will receive a replacement certificate in the mail that will be valid through June 30, 2015.) 

Apply for a Business License

• Licenses are required for individuals or businesses hired to fertilize turf. 
• Businesses are required to employ at least one certified professional fertilizer applicator. 
• The initial license will be valid through June 30, 2015. 
• Beginning July 1, 2015, licenses will be valid for one year.
• Beginning in 2015, license holders will be required to file an annual activity report with MDA covering the previous year. The first activity report is due to MDA March 1, 2015. Reporting forms will be available on the MDA website later this year. 
• Applications for a business license may be downloaded from the MDA website.

Avoid Penalties
Violators are subject to civil penalties of up to $1,000 for the first violation and $2,000 for each subsequent violation.
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