Recordkeeping basics
Restricted-Use vs. General-Use Pesticides: What Applicators Need to Know
The difference between a restricted-use and general-use pesticide classification, who's allowed to apply each, and why it changes what your recordkeeping obligations are.
How the EPA draws the line
When the EPA registers a pesticide, it classifies it as either general use or restricted use based on the potential for the product, used exactly as labeled, to cause harm to people or the environment. General-use products are considered safe enough for anyone to buy and apply. Restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) may only be applied by, or under the direct supervision of, an EPA-certified applicator.
Why the classification matters for your paperwork
The federal recordkeeping requirement under 40 CFR Part 171 is written specifically around certified applicators of restricted-use pesticides — it's the floor for RUP applications nationwide. Most states then go further and apply a version of the recordkeeping rule to general-use applications as well, since that's what covers the bulk of routine pest control work. Check the state-specific page for your state to see which fields and retention period actually apply to your day-to-day jobs, not just the RUP floor.
Where to check a specific product
A product's classification is printed on its label, and it's also searchable by EPA registration number in the EPA's Pesticide Product Label System (PPLS). Don't assume based on how a product is marketed — check the label.
Last reviewed . Source: EPA, pesticide classification and Restricted Use Product overview — read the primary source.
Questions, answered
- Only under the direct supervision of a certified applicator, and only to the extent state rules allow — supervision requirements themselves vary by state, so check the specific rule where you operate rather than assuming.
- No — the federal RUP recordkeeping rule doesn't apply, but most states impose their own recordkeeping requirement on general-use commercial applications too. See your state's compliance page for the actual rule that applies to you.
PestShift builds this into every job
A job can't be marked complete without the product, EPA registration number, target pest, rate, and application site on file — so the record exists as part of the work, not as paperwork someone has to remember to do later.