Who is classified as a commercial applicator?

The classification of a commercial applicator is specifically designated for individuals who apply pesticides in a manner that serves commercial interests. This means that they are licensed and certified to use pesticides as part of their profession, whether it is in agriculture, landscape maintenance, pest control services, or any other business that requires pesticide application for profit. These individuals must adhere to regulatory requirements and best practices for pesticide application to ensure safety and environmental protection.

The correct answer highlights not just the requirement of certification, but also the purpose of the pesticide application, which must be commercial. Being a commercial applicator involves a higher level of accountability, training, and regulatory compliance than other classifications of pesticide users.

In contrast, the options representing unlicensed users, private applicators, and researchers do not fit the criteria of a commercial applicator. Unlicensed users are not authorized to apply pesticides, private applicators apply pesticides solely for their personal use or for a family member's or household's benefit, and researchers typically have a different set of regulations guiding their work, focusing on experimental or educational applications rather than commercial services.