Step-by-step instructions for online application:

1. Go to the Do it Online page on MDA's website 
2. Under Licensing & Renewals, select: apply for a new license.
3. Select the License Type (either Nursery Stock Dealer Certificate or Nursery Stock Grower Certificate)
4. Click "Apply for License"
5. Enter the correct information in the required fields
6. Click "Next"
7. Pay the fee with a credit card (VISA or MasterCard only) or electronic check handling;
8. Print the certificate receipt(s).

A handling fee (approximately 2%) which is determined by the credit card company is charged for each on-line renewal transaction.

Applications with missing information will be returned for completion. Certificates will be withheld pending receipt of missing information. If you have questions, contact 651.201.6507 or lorraine.englund@state.mn.us.

Applications are processed and certificates are issued for the current calendar year only. Fees are not prorated and not refundable. You may not apply for a certificate in advance for the new calendar year.

For more inforamtion on legal requirements of Nursery stock, read Minnesota Statute Chapter 18H

Who needs a certificate?

Any person who sells, offers for sale or distributes any nursery stock must obtain a Nursery Stock Dealer Certificate (PDF: 90 KB / 2 pages) OR a Nursery Stock Grower Certificate (PDF: 90 KB / 2 pages) and must purchase and sell only certified nursery stock. All stock offered for sale must have been officially inspected and certified free of harmful plant pests within 12 months preceding sale. Landscapers, brokers and tree spade operators are considered nursery stock dealers and must obtain a certificate before offering nursery stock for sale. Trees moved by a tree spade must be inspected and certified before they are moved.

Nursery stock means a plant intended for planting or propagation, including but not limited to, trees, shrubs, vines perennials, biennials, grafts, cuttings and buds that may be sold for propagation whether cultivated or wild and all viable parts of these plants.

Nursery stock does not include:

• field and forage crops;
• the seeds of grasses, cereal grains, vegetable crops, and flowers;
• vegetable plants, bulbs, or tubers;
• cut flowers, unless stems or other portions are intended for propagation;
• annuals;
• Christmas trees; or
• sod

Determine if you should apply as a nursery stock dealer or grower

If you purchase more than half (50%) of the nursery stock you will sell during the calendar year, you should apply as a Nursery Stock Dealer. New applicant fee for your first year is $150.00. Renewal fees will be based upon your gross sales of nursery stock from the previous year. A separate certificate is needed for each sales location.

If you grow more than half (50%) of the nursery stock you will sell, you should apply as a Nursery Stock Grower. Fee is based upon the number of acres with growing stock from which you intend to sell to be inspected and certified. All stock must be inspected before sale. Only one certificate is required for multiple growing sites and allows only one sales site. Contact this office to schedule an early inspection if needed. Only stock growing on the acres applied for will be inspected and if certified, eligible for sale.

If you grow and sell only annual or indoor ornamental plants, you are not required to obtain a Nursery Stock Certificate. If you will ship these plants outside Minnesota, contact this office to assure proper certification for destination state or country.

Note: A nursery stock dealer may have some growing stock and a nursery stock grower may sell some stock that was purchased for resale. Use the 50% rule as defined above to determine the correct type of certificate. Call (651) 201-6507 if you have questions.

A complete list of sources of purchased nursery stock from whom you intend to purchase nursery stock is required on the reverse side of the application. This information is vital to the inspection and certification program to monitor possible movement of plant pests with nursery shipments.

Please provide detailed maps to all growing sites to be inspected that are not located at the business address on the application.

Nursery occasional sales

An individual may offer nursery stock for sale and be exempt from the requirement to obtain a nursery stock dealer certificate only if All of these conditions are met:

• the gross sales of all nursery stock in a calendar year do not exceed $2,000; and
• all nursery stock sold or distributed by the individual is intended for planting in Minnesota; and
• all nursery stock purchased or procured for resale or distribution was grown in Minnesota and has been certified by the commissioner; and
• the individual conducts sales or distributions of nursery stock on ten or fewer days in a calendar year; and
• all sales are conducted by an individual, not a business, company, firm, corporation, partnership, association, etc. If you are a business you do not qualify regardless of the annual sales volume.