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Plant protection products; application for a certificate of competence

If you use plant protection products, advise on plant protection, or advise persons who use, instruct or supervise plant protection products as part of a training relationship or an auxiliary activity, you need a certificate of competence.

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Ämter für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten - Bereich Landwirtschaft
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Procedure details

You need a certificate of competence in plant protection if you

  • use plant protection products,
  • advise on plant protection or
  • persons who use, instruct or supervise plant protection products as part of a training relationship or an auxiliary activity.

If you use or advise on the use of plant protection products professionally, apply for the certificate of competence for the use of plant protection products including advice via the nationwide online database.

Please note that the dispensing of plant protection products is not included in this certificate of competence.

  • Required document/s
    • Certificate of a recognized professional qualification or
    • Certificate of successful completion of a certificate of competence examination or
    • Certificate of a recognized course of study, if applicable additional certificate from universities or training institutions or
    • Certificate from another EU member state
    • If required: certified translation of the documents submitted
    • informal confirmation of costs from the specified invoice recipient, if applicable
    • if applicable, certificate of further training

You can apply for the certificate of expertise in plant protection online:

  • Go to the website pflanzenschutz-skn.de.
  • You can submit the application with or without registration. Complete the application, upload the required documents and submit the application online.
  • If you are unable to upload your documents, you can alternatively send them to the relevant office by post.
  • You will receive a fee notice.
  • You pay the fee.
  • You will receive the certificate of competence card.

Experts in plant protection from EU member states can apply for a German certificate of competence directly from the plant protection service or the competent body in the federal state where they wish to work. You can find out which office is responsible for you in the office finder on the pflanzenschutz-skn.de website.

Due to the higher examination costs, the fee for foreign certificates is EUR 40.00.

If there are more than 3 years between the date of the certificate and the date of application, you must also submit a current certificate of further training.

Status: 21.11.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Heimat + Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Forsten und Tourismus
Source: Federal Portal
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