How to Become a Private Certified Pesticide Applicator

If you are not able to obtain the general use pesticides you typically use, you may be looking at some formulations of restricted-use pesticides this year. Obtaining a license as a private applicator to spray restricted-use products on your crops can seem complicated. A series of resources exist to help you navigate the system quickly to get your license.

First, a reminder on the types of applicator certification, which can be divided into two groups:

1. Certification as a commercial or public applicator is required if:
   a) A pesticide application is being made to a property not owned or rented by the applicator or their employer.
   b) Restricted use pesticides or fumigants are being applied on a property rented or owned by the applicator but are not applied for the production of an agricultural crop.
   c) Pesticides are being applied to apartments of four or more units, golf courses, parks, playgrounds/athletic fields, swimming pools for other than single-family residences, education/research institutions, and schools, including public and private day care centers with seven or more children.
2. Certification as a private applicator is required if:

An applicator intends to purchase and/or apply restricted use pesticides for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on land which is owned or rented by that person or their employer.

A license may not be required if

The farm is applying general use pesticides to agricultural crops on your own farm or to agricultural crops on a farm you rent. However, please consult worker protection standards and always follow the label.

If you are unsure, call your regional Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) office for assistance in determining, which, if any, exam you should take.

Obtaining a license

To become a certified private applicator, passing a written test is required. An additional test is required if a private applicator intends to use a restricted use fumigant. In this case, the applicator must obtain a special permit by passing a written examination specifically related to the type of fumigation that will be made.

If you have determined, you require a private applicator license follow these steps to obtain your license.

Step 1: Obtain a Pesticide Applicator Certification Study Materials - Private Applicator Packet online or by calling Penn State Extension at 1-877-345-0691. The private exam is currently still open book, and the study packet can be used on the exam.

Step 2: Register to take the exam: When you are ready to take the exam(s), check the PaPlants Certification Exam Search page for dates and locations. The exams are given in each Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) Region at least once a month (you can go to any region to take an exam, not just in the one you live or work.) All exams require pre-registration through PDA. This can be done on the above website once you select the exam you are going to attend. If you do not want to register online, you can call the PDA regional office to register.

Step 3: On the day of the exam, make sure you bring the following:

• Government issued photo identification, i.e., driver's license or two other forms of identification, such as a government issued document with signature (social security card, green card) or a document with name and address (utility bill, tax statement, personal check).
• #2 pencil and paper
• Private applicator packet – Please note that some categories for commercial applicators are closed book exams and the exam proctors have the right to review and reject all materials brought into the exam
• A simple calculator for math questions – phones are not allowed in the exam room
• Payment (there is only a fee for commercial and public applicator exams)
• Business license numbers if business is currently licensed

You will have three hours to take the exam which consists of 75 multiple choice questions. It takes about a month to get your exam results back. If you pass the exam, you will be required to pay the license fee ($10 for private applicators every three years) to get your license. If needed, you can retake the exam.

Maintaining your license

To maintain your license, private applicators are required to obtain pesticide update training (six core and six private category) credits at three-year intervals. 

A note about adding Fumigation

If you plan to use a fumigant, please contact your PDA regional office about details on which category and exam is required for your type of application.

• Category 20, Commodity and Space Fumigation
• Category 21, Soil Fumigation

Additional Questions

If you have additional questions about becoming an applicator, the study materials, or the exam, check out our Frequently Asked Certification Questions article.