Questions and Answers

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Question:
If I want to take the exam to become certified as a commercial manure service representative or manager or confinement site manure applicator is there a study guide or some document I can access to prepare for the exam?
Answer:

Please see DNR factsheets DNR 113 Separation Distances and Land Application, DNR 116 Confinement Site Manure Applicator Certification, and DNR 115 Commercial Manure Applicator Certification to help you study. 

Other resources include...

Question:
As a confinement site manure applicator who is required to take the exam to be eligible to re-certify, what do I need to do to continue my certification after I take and pass the exam?
Answer:

At this point in time you have four choices to start your next 3-cycle of certification.  

  • Attend a two-hour training course offered January through February annually at most ...
Question:
What do I need to know about stockpiling manure?
Answer:

Stockpiling regulations depend on the source of the manure. You can learn about stockpiling requirements from the following DNR publications. Commercial manure applicators hauling manure and dumping or stockpiling manure for farmers should...

Question:
Where do I find information on separation distances for land application of manure?
Answer:

Separation distances for land application of manure are found in the fact sheet DNR 113.

Question:
Do I need a valid driver’s license to apply manure?
Answer:

A farmer or farmer’s hired hand (confinement site applicator), not under a driver’s license sanction, may operate within 2 miles of a farm with no driver’s license.
A person who has a sanctioned license may not drive any vehicle on a public...

Question:
How do commercial manure services communicate to DNR that they want to substitute a new employee under an existing license?
Answer:

The manager or owner of a confinement of a commercial manure service must notify the DNR within 30 days of whenever an employee is hired or terminated. The owner or manager will need to provide the status of the employee (terminated, hired/...

Question:
Will the education fee also apply to confinement site applicators or commercial manure service representatives if they choose to take the exam to meet certification requirements instead of attending a training session?
Answer:

The education fee applies both when an exam is taken and when training sessions are attended.  However, the education fee does not apply when a confinement site applicator is required to take the “make-up” exam to be eligible to re-certify...

Question:
I have attended a video/webcast or passed an exam and have sent in my fees with the paperwork. Am I considered certified? Can I still apply manure without having my certification card?
Answer:

Once the training session has been attended or exam passed and applicable fees have been mailed with the application form to DNR, you are considered certified.  Once the certification card is received, you should carry it with you at all...

Question:
As the owner/manager of a commercial manure service, I understand I can substitute new employees for employees that have left my business. The new employees must still attend the 3-hour training workshops or take and pass the exam, but the business will not be required to pay additional certification fees if the certification fees have already been paid. How do I substitute employees?
Answer:

As owner/manager, you will need to notify the DNR within 30 days of the name and driver’s license or social security number of any employee who has been terminated or newly hired.  The DNR will provide you with several copies of form ...

Question:
How do I know if I have 500 animal units and need to be certified as a confinement site applicator?
Answer:

To calculate animal unit (a.u.) capacity, multiply the greatest number of animals you maintain in your operation (confinement) at one time from Column 1 times the equivalency factor in Column 2. Sum the numbers in Column 3. If...

Question:
I am a confinement site manure applicator and I attended my first certification workshop or I renewed my certification three years ago. I have not attended a certification meeting since that time. Will I have to take an exam to re-certify?
Answer:

Yes. Confinement site applicators that missed a two-hour training workshop during their 3-year certification cycle will receive a letter from DNR stating they need to take the exam to be eligible to re-certify. The exam is a 50 question, true-...

Question:
I am a commercial/confinement site manure applicator. I did not get certified last year. I need to apply manure now and I can’t wait for the certification meetings. How do I get certified?
Answer:

There are several options.  First, if you are either a confinement site applicator or a commercial manure service representative or manager and you have not been certified, you can contact your ...

Question:
What family members are included in the exemption for the Confinement Site Applicator Certification?
Answer:

In 2000 the Legislature passed a law that allows family members to be certified under one paid manure applicator certificate of a certified family member. This means that if you are a “spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling”...

Question:
Is there a phone number at DNR that I can call to ask questions regarding state rules?
Answer:

You can call one of the DNR Field Offices listed below or visit the DNR Field Office website.

Field Office 1, Manchester, (563) 927-2640
Field Office 2, Mason City, (641) 424-4073...

Question:
I have attended a training meeting or taken an exam and passed, and have mailed my certification form and fee to the DNR. Will I receive a certification card or some form verifying my certification?
Answer:

If you are a Confinement Site Manure Applicator you will receive a certification card that is valid through December 31st of the third calendar year of your certification cycle. It will take approximately 30 days to receive the card after...

Question:
What is the length of the certification period?
Answer:

In the commercial applicator program, the license is a one-year certificate. Currently, all Commercial Manure Applicator Certifications will expire on March 1, regardless of when you become certified. The certification period for commercial...

Question:
If someone goes to the Commercial Certification session, will that also qualify for a Confinement Site Applicator Certification?
Answer:

Yes.  A person attending a Commercial Manure certification workshop will be considered to have met the training requirements for being certified as a Confinement Site Applicator. Due to the difference in hours of training required, the...

Question:
Can you explain the supervision clause for confinement site applicators?
Answer:

A part time employee or family member of a confinement site applicator may apply manure without certification, if they are under direct supervision by a certified confinement site manure applicator.  The certified applicator must be...

Question:
As a new employee or commercial manure service representative working for a commercial manure service, I understand I can work for the first 30 days of my initial employment without being certified. Please explain the requirement for supervision. Do I need to be within sight and sound of a certified commercial service representative? Do they need to be present?
Answer:

New employees of a commercial manure service who are not yet certified can apply manure for the first 30 days of employment after they are hired, if they are supervised by a certified commercial manure applicator. The law requires a certified...

Question:
How do I become certified to land apply manure?
Answer:

The law states that commercial applicators must pass an annual exam OR attend three hours of continuing education each year. Commercial manure applicator certification is accomplished in one of three ways:

  • Attend the 3-hour...
Question:
How do I know if I need to become certified as a confinement site manure applicator?
Answer:

As for confinement site applicators, you must be certified to apply manure if you are hauling manure from a confinement operation and the size of the operation is greater than 500 animal units. This applies to situations where you are...

Question:
How do I know if I need to become certified as a commercial manure service or representative?
Answer:

If you are a commercial manure business you will need to become certified to handle either liquid or dry manure from all types of manure storage structures (liquid or dry) and from any size and type of operation (SAFO, confinement feeding...

Question:
What are the types of Manure Applicator Certifications defined by Iowa law?
Answer:

A confinement site manure applicator is “a person, other than a commercial manure service or a commercial manure service representative who applies manure on land if the manure originates from a manure storage structure. Confinement site...