Sachkundenachweis für die Anwendung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln und Beratung im Pflanzenschutz beantragen

Would you like to use plant protection products or advise on plant protection for professional reasons? Then you need the plant protection certificate of competence in card format.

You may only

• use plant protection products professionally,
• advise on plant protection within the meaning of Article 3(3) of Directive 2009/128/EC, or
• instruct or supervise persons who use plant protection products as part of a training relationship or an auxiliary activity,

if you have a certificate of competence in plant protection issued by the competent authority.

Applications are submitted via a standardized national online database.

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

• The following certificates or attestations are required:
  • Certificate of a recognized professional qualification or
  • Certificate of successful completion of a plant protection examination in the field of application/advice or
  • Certificate of completed vocational training or completed studies with additional certificate (from university, training institution) or
  • Certificate from another EU Member State within the meaning of Directive 2009/128/EC
• Other evidence or certificates from other European member states or non-EU states may be recognized if the required technical content was part of the training/examination and this is clearly evident from the evidence/certificates submitted.
• If necessary, certified translation of the documents submitted
• If applicable, informal confirmation of costs from the specified invoice recipient
• If applicable, certificate of further training (if there are more than three years between the date of the certificate and the date of application)

Supplement for Thuringia:

It is very important to provide a telephone number or e-mail address so that we can contact you if we have any queries during the application processing. Please always provide this information.

You have the required expertise or certificates.

You have needed the new certificate of competence (SKN) in card format since 26.11.2015. Use the online service for this.

• The authority accepts the complete application documents and checks the details and the authenticity of the certificates and/or attestations.
• If your application is successful, you will receive confirmation by email. It is not necessary to also send the signed application by post.
• If all requirements for the recognition of expertise have been met, the authority will issue a notification of recognition and fees.
• Once payment has been received, the certificate of competence cards are produced once a month throughout Germany. It can take 2 months from the time of application until the certificate of competence card is sent out.
• The card will be sent to you by post by the printing service provider.

It can take 2 months from the time of application until the certificate of competence card is sent out.

If there are more than three years between the date of the certificate and the date of application, a current certificate of further training must also be submitted.

Plant protection experts from EU member states who wish to use plant protection products in Germany also require a German certificate of competence. For technical reasons, it is not possible to apply for the German certificate of competence via the online database. Please contact the plant protection service or the office responsible for the application in the federal state where you wish to work directly. You can use the service finder on the homepage for this purpose.

In addition to the application for a certificate of competence, you must take part in at least four hours of further training over a recurring three-year period. The start of the first training period is noted on the card.

For Thuringia:

You can lodge an objection to this administrative act with the Thuringian State Office for Agriculture and Rural Areas, based in Jena, within one month of notification. The deadline is also met by timely receipt at a branch office of the State Office.

• Application for a certificate of competence for the use of plant protection products and advice on plant protection, issue
• A certificate of competence is required for anyone who
  • use plant protection products professionally, or
  • wants to give advice on plant protection, or
  • persons who wish to instruct or supervise others who use plant protection products as part of a training relationship or an auxiliary activity (e.g. teacher trainers)
• The certificate of competence (SKN) in card format has been required since 26.11.2015.
• Responsible: TLLLR

State processing, fundamental issues
Thuringian State Office for Agriculture and Rural Areas
Department 23 Plant Protection and Seeds

Application processing and decision by employees of the branch offices:
Rudolstadt, Sömmerda, Zeulenroda, Leinefelde-Worbis, Hildburghausen, Bad Salzungen, Bad Frankenhausen

Thuringian State Office for Agriculture and Rural Areas
Unit 25 Specialist legislation and cross-compliance controls

State processing, fundamental issues
Thuringian State Office for Agriculture and Rural Areas
Department 23 Plant Protection and Seeds

Application processing and decision by employees of the branch offices:
Rudolstadt, Sömmerda, Zeulenroda, Leinefelde-Worbis, Hildburghausen, Bad Salzungen, Bad Frankenhausen

Thuringian State Office for Agriculture and Rural Areas
Unit 25 Specialist legislation and cross-compliance controls