The MDAis the authority regulating pesticide use in Minnesota. The MDA certifies applicators as qualified to obtain a license based on whenhe or she passes an initial test. The MDA issues different license types with specific categories depending on the intended application site.
On this page:
- Commercial Pesticide Applicator
- Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator
- Structural Pest Control Applicator
- Structural Pest Control Company
- Private Pesticide Applicator Certification
- Pesticide Applicator License Categories
Commercial Pesticide Applicator
Commercial pesticide applicator licenses are for anyone who applies any pesticide “for hire.” For hire means you charge or invoice for the service. To become licensed, an applicant must:
- New Applicators: Payapplication and surcharge fees, these fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable.MDA strongly encourages new applicators to apply online prior to the testing appointment. Otherwise complete the application form including the name, address (physical address and mailingaddress, if different) and phone number of your employer. Provide your social security number. Certify that the financial requirements are met. Confirm that that testinglocation can accept payments if approved by testing locationbring the completed application and payment to the testing appointment. If the location does not accept payments on behalf of MDA you will need mail in the application form with payment to MDA, contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us to obtain proof of payment before scheduling an exam.
- Schedule exams
- Renewing Applicators: licensed in the pervious calendaryear will find renewal instructions on their renewal form. These fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable. If the applicator is required to retest, you will need to bring the renewal form and payment or payment receipt to your testing appointment. To request a duplicate renewal form contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us.
Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator
Noncommercial licenses are for all pesticide applicators that apply Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) as part of their job on property owned or controlled by their employer; or for two or more governmental units sharing resources through a joint powers agreement. Any pesticide application to a golf course (RUP or general use) must be performedby a licensed applicator. To become licensed, an applicant must:
- New Applicators: Payapplication and surcharge fee,these fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable.MDA strongly encourages new applicators to apply online prior to the testing appointment. Otherwise complete the application form including the name, address (physical address and mailingaddress, if different) and phone number of your employer. Provide your social security number.Confirm that that testinglocation can accept payments if approved by testing locationbring the completed application and payment to the testing appointment. If the location does not accept payments on behalf of MDA you will need mail in the application form with payment to MDA, contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us to obtain proof of payment before scheduling an exam.
- Scheule exams
- Renewing Applicators: licensed in the pervious calendaryear will find renewal instructions on their renewal form. These fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable.If the applicator is required to retest, you will need to bring the renewal form and payment or payment receipt to your testing appointment. To request a duplicate renewal form contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us.
Structural Pest Control Applicator
Structural Pest Control Applicator licenses are for applicators that apply pesticides in, on, under,or around structures. SeeStructural Pest Control Requirements. To become licensed, an applicant must:
- Be employed by a licensed structural pest control company with a Master applicator.
- New Applicators: Payapplication and surcharge fee,these fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable.MDA strongly encourages new applicators to apply online prior to the testing appointment. Otherwise complete the application form including the name, address (physical address and mailingaddress, if different) and phone number of your employer. Provide your social security number. Certify that the financial requirements are met. Confirm that that testinglocation can accept payments if approved by testing locationbring the completed application and payment to the testing appointment. If the location does not accept payments on behalf of MDA you will need mail in the application form with payment to MDA, contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us to obtain proof of payment before scheduling an exam.
- Schedule exams, Categories include Masteror Journeyman
- To become licensed as a Master, the applicator must work for at least twoyears as a licensed Journeyman.
- Fumigation Endorsem*nt can be added to Master or Journeyman license.
- Renewing Applicators: licensed in the pervious calendaryear will find renewal instructions on their renewal form. These fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable.If the applicator is required to retest, you will need to bring the renewal form and payment or payment receipt to your testing appointment. To request a duplicate renewal form contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us.
Structural Pest Control Company
Structural Pest Control Company licenses are for companies that employ a Master and Journeyman applicator.SeeStructural Pest Control Requirements. To become licensed, a company must:
- Apply online or complete and submit aNew Structural Pest Control CompanyLicense Application Form and submit with payment to MDA. These fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable.
- Employ at least one licensed Master applicator.
- ProvideWorkers’ Compensation Insurancefor employees.
Private Pesticide Applicator Certification
Private applicatorsapply pesticides to lands or sites they own, rent, or manage for the production of an agricultural commodity. Typically farmers and their families who apply restricted use pesticidesto their land can apply for a Private Certification.
- Apply for a Certification atUniversity of Minnesota Extensionwebsite
- Register, pay, and pass exam before October 31st
- See MDA details forPrivate Applicator Certification
Pesticide Applicator License Categories
Commercial and Non-Commercial PesticideApplicator License Categories
This table displays the categories that applicators can apply for when seeking a Commercial and Noncommercial pesticide applicator license.
| Category Code | Commercial | Noncommercial | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Yes | Yes | Core | Basic principles of pesticide regulation and application; required for all licensed applicators |
| B | Yes | Yes | General Aerial | Pesticide application with an aircraft |
| C | Yes | Yes | Field Crop Pest Management | Herbicides,fungicidesand/orinsecticides to agricultural crops |
| E | Yes | Yes | Turf & Ornamentals | Pesticides to non-agricultural areas or for ornamental propagation including lawns, parks, athletic fields, golf courses, nurseries, greenhouses. Note that fertilizer applications are licensed separately |
| F | Yes | Yes | Aquatic | Pesticides to surface water or areas where wateris present to control aquatic organism, plants |
| H | Yes | Yes | Seed Treatment | Insecticides and fungicides to seed |
| I | Yes | Yes | Anti-Microbial | Pesticide to HVAC ventilation systems, cooling towers and for indoor mold mitigation & remediation |
| J | Yes | Yes | Forestry, Rights-of-Way, and Natural Areas | Pesticides to forestry (forested areas and forest plantations), rights-of-way(including roads, utilities, and ditch banks), and natural areas (prairie restoration, buckthorn removal) |
| K | Yes | Yes | Agricultural Pest Control - Animal | Pesticides to farm buildings and farm animals |
| L | Yes | Yes | Mosquito, Black Fly, Tick Pest Control | Pesticides for mosquito, black fly and tick pest control |
| M | No | Yes | Food Processing Pest Management (Noncommercial) | Pesticides to food processing areas (not for-hire) |
| N | Yes | Yes | Non-soil Fumigation | Fumigants and other pesticides to stored grain, processed grain,other commodities and facilities (fumigation endorsem*nt for structural applicator OR private pesticide certification) |
| O | Yes | Yes | Soil Fumigation | Pesticide to Soil (fumigation endorsem*nt for private pesticide certification) |
| P | Yes | Yes | Vertebrate Pest Control | Pesticides for vertebrate pest control (including repellents) |
| Q | Yes | Yes | Wood Preservatives | Chemical wood preservatives to lumber such as utility poles, fence posts, structural lumber, and railroad ties |
| R | Yes | Yes | Sewer Root Control | Pesticides for root control in sewer lines |
| S | No | Yes | Noncommercial Structural | Pesticides on, in, under or aroundstructures (not for-hire) |
Structural Pest Control Applicator License (SPCA) Categories
This table displays the categories that applicators can apply for when seeking a Structural Pest Control License (SPCA).The SPCA licenseis separate from a Commercial and Noncommercial license. Applicators seeking additional categories will need to also apply for a Commercial license.
| Category Code | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | Core | Basic principles of pesticide regulation and application; required for all licensed applicators. |
| SPCA | Structural Master | Pesticide on, in, under or around structures with 2 years licensed experience. |
| SPCA | Structural Journeyman | Pesticide on, in, under or around structures |
| SPCA | Fumigant Endorsem*nt | Fumigant in a structure, category N: Non-Soil Fumigation. |
Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Endorsem*nt Categories
This table displays the endorsem*nt categories that MDA administers exams for persons thatcurrently hold a Private Pesticide Applicator Certification.
| Category Code | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Optional Fumigation Endorsem*nt | Private Pesticide Certification exams and recertification training are provided by the University of Minnesota Extension. Private Fumigation Endorsem*nt, category N: Non-Soil Fumigation or categoryO: Soil Fumigationcan be added through exams given by MDA. |
