12/30/2025

MDA Presents During IPMC - Get Answers to Your Regulatory Questions Answered!

News & Announcements

MDA Provides Key Updates on Pesticide Regulation, Certification, and Enforcement
During the Interstate Pest Management Conference, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Pesticide Regulation Section will provide attendees with its 2026 Pesticide Regulation Update, highlighting several important changes that will affect licensed pest control professionals statewide. MDA will outline updates to certification procedures, new federal rules (see below), enforcement priorities, and digital service improvements. 

Federal Certification and Training (C&T) Rule Changes – Effective July 1, 2026
Maryland’s updated Certification and Training (C&T) Plan has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), introducing significant new federal requirements to strengthen safety and compliance.

• Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs): Employees can no longer apply RUPs under the supervision of a certified applicator. Each individual performing RUP applications must be certified independently.
• Age Restrictions: Individuals under 18 are prohibited from applying fumigants or predator control agents, including sodium cyanide and sodium fluoroacetate.
• New Private Applicator Categories: Separate certification categories will be required for soil fumigant and non-soil fumigant applications.

These changes—set to take effect July 1, 2026—originate from EPA’s federal rule, not MDA’s own request. Applicators should plan ahead for category testing and stay informed through MDA announcements to ensure compliance.

Clarification on WDI-O Inspection Reporting Requirements

On October 9, 2025, MSPCA hosted the Western MD Recertification Webinar. During the Maryland Department of Agriculture Update, a slide discussing WDI-O inspections read “All WDI Inspections Require a Diagram”.  MSPCA WDI-O Chair, Bruce Morgan, questioned the accuracy of that statement during the webinar. MSPCA staff sought clarification from MDA. After consulting with legal counsel, MDA has provided MSPCA with the following statement clarifying the issue:

Diagrams will be required for all WDI inspections when any visible evidence is found, including any live/dead insects, damage, frass, etc.  If zero evidence of any WDI activity is noted no diagram will be needed but all findings must be provided to the customer as per Regulation.  

For more information, contact MDA’s Pesticide Regulation Section at pest.reg@maryland.gov or 410-841-5710.