Certification of Pesticide Operators
Application of pesticides for the commercial cultivation of plants must be handled or supervised by a Pesticide Operator certified by the Director-General, Food Administration, SFA.
This is to inculcate good agricultural practices in the use of pesticides in local farming to produce pesticide-safe fresh fruits and vegetables. Any side effects from the pesticides to the users and the environment will also be minimised.
The list of SFA certified Pesticide Operators can be found here.
Applying for a Pesticide Operator's Certificate
The Pesticide Operator's Certificate is a vocational certificate.
If you are an owner or employee of a commercial farm producing fruit crops, vegetable crops or ornamental plants for sale, you can apply to SFA to be certified as a Pesticide Operator.
Step 1: Complete Pesticide Operator Proficiency Course and Test
The course and test will be conducted by ITE College East in English only. (You may request for clarification in Mandarin during the training).
To register for the course and proficiency test, please register directly with ITE via their online portal .
· For self-sponsored candidates, please register using your Singpass via this “link for self-sponsored candidates”
· For company sponsored candidates, please use this “link for SME-sponsored candidates” instead.
If you have any enquiries on the course details registration, you may contact ITE (Tel: 1800 222 2111 / 6590 2211, Email: sts1@ite.edu.sg).
Step 2: Apply for a Pesticide Operator’s Certificate
To apply for a Pesticide Operator's Certificate, please submit an application here, together with the following supporting documents:
- Certificate of Fitness issued by a Designated Workplace Doctor (DWD), which meets MOM’s medical examination requirements for exposure to organophosphates under the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) (Medical Examinations) Regulations1. You may use the certificate template here. Please contact the clinic and confirm that the DWD is on duty to issue the Certificate of Fitness, before visiting the clinic for your medical examination.
- Certificate of Competency for Pesticide Operators (issued by ITE)
1 Employees who use or handle or are exposed to the liquid, fumes, or vapours of organophosphate compounds are required to undergo 6-monthly periodic medical examinations by a Designated Workplace Doctor (DWD). More details of MOM’s requirements for pre-placement and periodic medical examination and list of DWDs are available at the MOM website.
Please note that you must be at least 18 years of age, physically fit and able to read and understand instructions on a pesticide label. Detailed information and supporting documents required for the application for a Pesticide Operator's Certificate can be found here.
The certificate is valid for 3 years at a licence fee of S$210. It would take an estimated 3 working days to process a completed application and SFA will inform applicants of the outcome of their application.
Once your application is approved, SFA will send an e-Certificate to your email. The e-Certificate can be printed at your convenience.
Renewal of Pesticide Operator’s Certificate
The Pesticide Operator’s Certificate is valid for 3 years and should be renewed before expiry. Pesticide operators renewing their certificate are required to submit the Certificate of Competency for Pesticide Operators and the Certificate of Fitness (by a Designated Workplace Doctor) that are issued within 6 months of the expiry date of the Certificate.