Compliance guide
PA1, PA2 & PA6 Certification for Grounds Teams
A plain-English overview of the standard UK pesticide application certificates, and how to keep track of which staff hold them.
What are PA1, PA2 and PA6?
PA1, PA2 and PA6 are long-established UK certificates of competence for pesticide application, assessed through awarding bodies such as City & Guilds/NPTC and Lantra. PA1 covers the foundation knowledge — safe storage, handling and application principles — that sits underneath the equipment-specific modules. PA2 covers boom sprayer application, and PA6 covers handheld and pedestrian-operated application equipment, which is typically the most relevant category for golf course and sports turf work.
Who typically needs a certificate to apply pesticides professionally?
Under UK pesticide legislation, anyone applying professional/commercial pesticide products as part of their job generally needs to hold the relevant certificate of competence, or work under the direct supervision of someone who does. Some exemptions and transitional arrangements can apply depending on when someone started in the role, so it's worth confirming your team's specific position against current HSE guidance rather than assuming.
How can I keep track of which staff hold PA1, PA2 or PA6?
TurfHubHQ's Staff Rota module includes a skills and certifications field on every staff profile, so you can record which certificates — PA1, PA2, PA6 or any other qualification — each team member holds, alongside their contact details, shift times and machine permissions, all in one place your whole team can see.
General information, not advice
This page is general information to help you understand the topic — it is not legal or professional advice. Requirements vary by equipment, product and site; always confirm current requirements with HSE guidance, your product label, or a qualified advisor.