IMMAG - Iowa Manure Management Action Group

Topics Current News & Legislation Plans, Permits, Regulations Manure Applicator Certification Publications & Reports Service Providers Events Other Links Air Quality Buying & Selling Manure Frequently Asked Questions Subscriptions Links ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ISU Extension Natural Resources Conservation Service Iowa Department of Natural Resources IMMAG Homepage Contact us (515) 294-9590 or e-mail amrieck@iastate.edu	Manure Applicator Certification Program - Commercial Manure Applicators Introduction Becoming Certified Uniform License Expiration Date and Fees Training and Testing Resources Introduction In 2003, House File 644 was passed and required commercial manure businesses to have licenses. This law also allows for the substitution of employees and for annual education fees. The new law further defined the business and the employees by breaking the program into the following categories: Commercial Manure Service: A commercial manure service ( CMS ) or business is a sole proprietor or business association engaged in the business of transporting, handling, storing or applying manure for a fee. A CMS must be licensed and must pay the annual business license due by March 1. The annual business license includes the certification fee of the business manager. Commercial Manure Service Representative: A commercial manure service representative or CMSR is a manager, employee, agent or contractor of a CMS , if the person is engaged in transporting, handling, storing or applying manure on behalf of the business. A representative must pay an annual certification fee and an annual education fee. A manager is a person actively involved in and makes management decisions in the operation of the business. A manager is also a representative. One manager per business must be designated on the application forms. In addition to the certification fees for the manager that are included in the CMS business license fee, the manager must also pay an annual education fee. Becoming Certified Commercial manure service representative certification is accomplished in one of three ways: Attend the 3-hour commercial satellite downlink scheduled for January 7, 2009 and offered at most county Extension offices; See Registration Brochure Schedule an appointment to view the 3-hour videotape at your local county Extension office, or Schedule an appointment to take (and pass) the applicator exam at your local DNR field office. In addition to completing one of the above requirements, you must also submit the appropriate fees and forms to the DNR. Uniform License Expiration Date and Fees The certification period for both business and the representative expires on March 1 annually regardless of when the business, manager or employee was originally certified. While certificates expire annually on March 1, renewal of the next license must occur prior to March 1 annually to avoid paying a late fee. Applications for certification (from previously certified applicators) received at the DNR postmarked after March 1, 2009 will be considered late and a late fee of $12.50 will be charged in addition to the certification fee and education fees. A commercial manure service (business) must be licensed annually and the fee is $200. This fee is due annually by March 1st . The business license includes the certification fee of one designated manager. In addition, the manager will need to pay an annual education fee of $25. The fee for commercial manure service representatives will be $75 annually. In addition the commercial manure service representative will also be required to pay an annual education fee. The education fee for 2009 is $25. Both the education fee and the certification fee are due by March 1st annually. There are no new fee changes for 2009. For more information about certification fees, education fees, business fees and late fees and how businesses can substitute employees without additional certification fees, please see the link to the Question and Answer document or the DNR fact sheet, “Commercial Manure Applicator Certification” in the Resource Section listed below. Training and Testing Many local Extension offices will offer the three hours of annual training through a satellite downlink on January 7, 2009. This program will serve as training for recertification or for initial certification. Contact your local County Extension Office for more details regarding this program. A copy of the registration brochure is linked below. Please make sure you register for this program. Commercial applicators are highly encouraged to attend the satellite program due to the uncertain availability of videotapes for training at the end of January and February. You may also choose to renew your certification or become initially certified by taking a written exam. The exam is 50 questions, multiple-choice, true-false exam. Please call a DNR Field Office to schedule an appointment for the exam. Study guides are available for Commercial Manure Applicators and may be downloaded from the web. If you don’t have web access, you may ask for a copy at your local County Extension Office, but local fees for paper and copying may apply. Please refer to PM 1778 when asking for the Commercial Manure Applicator Study Guide. New employees of commercial manure applicators who are not yet certified can apply manure for the first 30 days of employment after they are hired if they are directly supervised by a certified commercial manure service representative. The supervisor must be physically present at the application site and be in sight or immediate communication with the new employee at all times. After 30 days, new employees must be certified. This 30 day exemption is only valid once and does not apply each time the employee is rehired. Resources For additional information regarding the Commercial Manure Applicator Certification program please see these resources: 2009 Commercial Manure Applicator Registration Brochure (pdf) DNR Manure Applicator Certification Web Page Questions and Answers about Manure Applicator Certification Commercial Manure Applicator Study Guide (pdf) DNR 115 Commercial Manure Applicator Certification Fact Sheet DNR 113 Separation Distances for Land Application of Manure from Open Feedlots and Confinement Feeding Operations including SAFOs (pdf) DNR 117 High Quality Water Resources (pdf) Resources for Commercial Manure Applicators	Paul Kassel, Extension Crops Specialist, discusses research results from an eggshell liming study at the dry poultry manure applicator certification workshop in Sac City. Photo. R. Klein Need to get certified? Contact your County Extension Office to schedule and appointment to watch the training video or your local DNR Field Office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam.