Certified Fertilizer Applicator (CFA) Program | VDACS
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CERTIFIED FERTILIZER APPLICATOR (CFA) PROGRAM
Virginia’s
Regulations for the Application of Fertilizer to Nonagricultural Lands
require certification for all licensees and contractor-applicators, state agencies, localities or other governmental entities engaged in the commercial application of fertilizers to non-agricultural lands. Anyone desiring certification as a Certified Fertilizer Applicator (CFA) must successfully
complete approved training
and submit an
online application
to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CFA certification is valid for four years from the date of issuance. Certified fertilizer applicators shall complete a minimum of two hours of coursework every two years for recertification.
Applicators who apply fertilizer to more than 50 acres of non-agricultural land must submit an
annual report
on or before February 1
indicating, by zip code, the total acreage of land receiving lawn fertilizer and lawn maintenance
fertilizer in the preceding calendar year.
Resources
List of Certified Fertilizer Applicators
(PDF)
2024 Report: Non-Agricultural Land Fertilizer Applications by
Zipcode
(PDF)
2023 Report: Non-Agricultural Land Fertilizer Applications by
Zipcode
(PDF)
2022 Report: Fertilizer Application to Non-Agricultural Land by
Virginia Zipcode
(PDF)
2021 Report: Fertilizer Application to Non-Agricultural Land by
Virginia Zipcode
(PDF)
2020 Report: Fertilizer Application to
Non-Agricultural Land by Virginia Zipcode
(PDF)
CFA Certification Online - Application and
Renewal
Step-By-Step CFA
(PDF)
Upcoming CFA Recertification Courses
On-Demand CFA certification and recertification courses
: This online program provides training and testing to become a Virginia Certified Fertilizer Applicator. There are 10 self-paced training modules. This training is a cooperative effort of Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
CFA Online Certification Course ($30.00):
This course provides the necessary initial training to become a Certified Fertilizer Applicator in the state of Virginia. The course contents include fertilizer characteristics, record keeping, calibration, soils, and environmental considerations. (#VDACS_CFA_INITIAL1)
CFA Online Recertification Course (Two Hour Program: $30.00):
These 4 separate courses provide the necessary training for CFA recertification. You must acquire 2 hours of training every two years (4 hours total) during your 4 year certification period to renew your certification. The course contents include fertilizer characteristics, safety, weed ID, soils, turf species, and landscape ornamentals.
CFA Program 1 (Course # VDACS_RECERT_CFA1) – Soils & Pesticide Safety
CFA Program 2 (Course # VDACS_RECERT_CFA2) – Soils & Weed ID & Herbicides
CFA Program 3 (Course # VDACS_RECERT_CFA3) – Soils & Landscape Ornamentals
CFA Program 4 (Course # VDACS_RECERT_CFA4) – Soils & Turf grass Species
For more information contact:
Aaron Mackie
251-583-5972
amackie@ceuschool.org
Green Industry Professional Seminar
Pesticide and Fertilizer Application Recertification
Ernst Community Cultural Center
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003
Date:
Friday, February 6, 2026
Contact:
703-250-1368
greenisdc@aol.com
Visit
Green Industry Professional Seminar
to learn more.
Exemptions
The following individuals are exempt from certification under this regulation:
Individuals conducting research in laboratories or field test plots involving fertilizers.
Individuals who use fertilizer or supervise the use of fertilizer as part of their duties only on
nonagricultural land owned or leased by their employers. This exemption does not apply to public sector
applicators.
Individuals holding turf and landscape certification from the Department of Conservation and
Recreation as nutrient management planners.
Reporting Requirements
The Virginia
Fertilizer
Law
requires contractor-applicators, state agencies, localities and other governmental entities to report to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the annual acreage or square footage of fertilizer applied to nonagricultural (lawn and turf) lands.
Submit your lawn and turf fertilizer
applications report
Contact
For current information about the Certified Fertilizer Applicator program, please contact:
Victoria Lawrence
victoria.lawrence@vdacs.virginia.gov
Visit the
Office of Plant Industry Services
directory.
Read
Frequently Asked Questions
about the Agricultural Commodity Inspection Program.
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