Certification of Pesticides Operators

Contents in this page

The application of pesticides for the commercial cultivation of plants as food must be handled or supervised by a Pesticide Operator certified by the Director-General, Food Administration, SFA.

Why is certification required?

Pesticides play a significant role in food production, but improper use can pose risks to human, animal and environmental health.

It is important for workers applying the pesticides to be equipped with the knowledge to do so properly, and to understand their responsibilities.

For example, they are required to follow the label instructions and wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to use the pesticides safely.

Certification also inculcates good agricultural practices in the use of pesticides in local farming to produce pesticide-safe fresh fruits and vegetables.

Who can apply to be certified?

The Pesticide Operator's Certificate is a vocational certificate. To be certified:

You must be at least 18 years of age, physically fit, and able to read and understand instructions on pesticide labels.
You must have taken the proficiency course and passed the test.

Farm licensees can either enrol themselves or send their employees for certification. The certification is open to both locals and foreigners.

For details on the eligibility requirements, download the Application Information.

Where can I take the proficiency course and test?

The course and test are conducted by ITE College East. The course is conducted in English only. You may seek clarifications in Mandarin during the training.

Course details on ITE portal

If you have any enquiries about the course details or registration, you may contact ITE (Tel: 1800 222 2111 / 6590 2211).

How much does the certificate cost?

The fee for 3 years is $210.

How long does it take for SFA to process my application?

SFA will review your application and contact you within 3 working days if additional information is required for assessment.

SFA will process the application within 30 working days upon receipt of a complete application and, where applicable, a satisfactory pre-licensing inspection. The time taken to respond to our clarifications and scheduling of pre-licensing inspections will not be counted.

How to apply for certification?

Expand all

Step 1: Ensure you are eligible

You must be at least 18 years of age, physically fit, and able to read and understand instructions on a pesticide label.

For details on the eligibility requirements, download the Application Information.

Step 2: Take and pass the proficiency course

You must take and pass the proficiency course and apply for the certificate within 6 months of passing. Ensure you book and enrol in the proficiency test in advance.

The course provider and application forms are listed under Where can I take the proficiency course and test?

Step 3: Comply with Ministry of Manpower (MOM)’s requirements

You must have a Certificate of Fitness from a Designated Workplace Doctor (DWD) to apply.

To obtain the Certificate of Fitness, you are required to take and pass a medical exam. You can find a list of DWDs on the MOM website.

Step 4: Gather the supporting documents

Gather the required supporting documents, including:

Competency for Pesticide Operators (issued by ITE)
Certificate of Fitness (issued by DWD)

Both documents must be dated within 6 months before the date of application.

A full list of the supporting documents required can be found in the Application Information.

Step 5: Submit the application

within 30 working days

Allocate 10-20 minutes to submit your application along with the supporting documents via the Application for a Pesticide Operator Certificate.

Processing time starts from the date we receive the complete application with all the required supporting documents and, where required, a satisfactory pre-licensing inspection.

Time spent waiting for application with incomplete documentation or information to be re-submitted, as well as scheduling of pre-licensing inspections will not be counted in the processing time.

To facilitate timely processing, please ensure that:

1. All applications are completed correctly and in full;
2. All necessary supporting documents are submitted with your application.
3. Prompt responses to SFA's requests for clarification or additional information.

Step 6: SFA reviews the application

SFA will review your application and contact you if additional information is required for assessment.

Step 7: Make payment

Once your application has been approved, you will be notified via email to make payment.

Type of Certificate	Fee
Pesticide Operator Certificate	$210 for 3 years

You can make payment via:

GIRO: If you have a GIRO arrangement with SFA, fees will be deducted from your bank account. Ensure there are sufficient funds in your account.
AXS: You can pay using the AXS self-service kiosk, mobile app, or website.

Step 8: Receive e-Certificate

Once payment is received, SFA will email you an e-Certificate, which you can print if required. The Pesticide Operator’s Certificate is valid for 3 years.

After obtaining your Pesticide Operator Certificate

Renew your certificate before expiry

Pesticide Operators are required to renew their certificate before the expiry date if they wish to continue operating. SFA will send you renewal notices via email before the expiry date.

Tip: You are required to sit and pass the proficiency test before you can renew your certificate. Ensure that you book and enrol in the proficiency test in advance.

For renewal, you must also submit the following supporting documents dated within 6 months before the date of application:

Competency for Pesticide Operators (issued by ITE)
Certificate of Fitness (issued by DWD)

Your certificate will be renewed for 3 years. Once payment is received, SFA will email you an e-Certificate, which you can print if required.

Update SFA on any changes to your application information

All certificate holders are required to update SFA when there is any change in the application information (e.g. contact details) within 30 days of the change.

For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.

Last Updated 09 September 2026

Requirements for Pesticide Usage in Farms