(a) Each individual engaged in the commercial application of pesticides who is not a certified applicator or technician is considered a pesticide apprentice. An apprentice must be at least 16 years of age. An apprentice is required to receive 40 hours of pesticide use experience under the supervision of a certified applicator and receive a minimum of 8 hours of instruction on the requirements in section 325.18 of this Part, before such apprentice can apply general use pesticides under the off-site direct supervision of a certified applicator. It is the responsibility of the certified pesticide applicator or registered business to determine and so state than an apprentice is competent to perform applications.

(b) For specific applications that are infrequent and narrow in scope, and where there is little risk associated with the application, a certified commercial pesticide applicator may request, and the department may approve on a case-by-case basis, amended training requirements for such special circumstances.

(c) Documentation that a certified commercial pesticide applicator observed and instructed the apprentice as required in subdivision (a) of this section must be maintained by the certified commercial pesticide applicator or registered business for three years. Such documentation must be made available to the department upon request. Documentation must include the following:

(d) A copy of the documentation required in subdivision (c) of this section must be made available to the apprentice if requested.