Apply for a certificate of competence for the use of plant protection products

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.

For agriculture and forestry, please contact the Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Rheinhessen-Nahe-Hunsrück.

For viticulture and horticulture, please contact the Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Rheinpfalz.

The competent authority for agriculture and forestry is the Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Rheinhessen-Nahe-Hunsrück.

The competent authority for viticulture and horticulture is the Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Rheinpfalz.

• 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

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.

• § Section 9 Act on the Protection of Cultivated Plants (Plant Protection Act - PflSchG)
• Plant Protection Specialist Ordinance (PflSchSachkV)
• Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 21, 2009
• Plant Protection Act of February 6, 2012

• Online procedure possible: yes
• Written form required: no

• Online application

17.10.2023

What do the application types "application" and "dispensing" mean?

• "Application" = application of plant protection products.
• "Dispensing" = sale of plant protection products. The application must be accompanied by a copy of the certificate of competence in plant protection (journeyman's certificate, certificate of competence, etc.).