The information and resources provided on this page are for persons wishing to obtain a license to apply pesticides in the state of Minnesota. Structural pest control companies employing applicators must also be licensed. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and other products intended to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate a pest and substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant. Complete information may be found in the Minnesota Statutes and Rules listed below that govern licensing, application, use and storage of pesticides.

Fact Sheets

• Compliance History in Other States
• Financial Responsibility Requirements
• Fumigation FAQs
• Mosquito Spraying Notification Requirements
• Pest Identification List for Structural Pest Control Applicator Certification Exam
• Pesticide & Fertilizer Licensing/Certification Fees
• Pesticide Applicator Initial License and Renewal Requirements
• Pesticide Applicator License Categories
• Pesticide Applicator License Changes & Fees
• Pesticide Applicator License Requirements - Reciprocal
• Pesticide Applicator License Requirements - Structural Pest Control
• Pesticide Applicator License Types 
• Pesticide Applicator Recertification Requirements
• Pesticide Applicator Recertification Workshops, How to Obtain Approval for Workshops
• Social Security Number and/or Minnesota Business Identification Number Requirements
• Steps to Successfully Completing a Pesticide Certification Exam
• Workers' Compensation Insurance & Social Security Number Requirements

License Application Forms

• New Application for Structural Pesticide Applicator (PDF: 90 KB / 1 page) 
• New Application for Structural Pesticide Company (PDF: 92 KB / 1 page) 
• New Application for Commercial/Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator (PDF: 74 KB / 1 page) 
• Duplicate License (PDF: 27 KB / 1 page)

Testing Locations, Study Materials & Recertification Workshops

• Applicator Recertification Workshops (External Link)
• Pesticide Applicator Recertification Workshops, How to Obtain Approval for Workshops
• Pesticide Applicator Exams - Proctoring Guidelines
• Study Materials Order Form (PDF: 330 KB / 2 pages)
• Testing Locations

Pesticide Application Records (Samples)

• Category C - Field Crop Pest Management, Aerial Application (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category C - Field Crop Pest Management, Ground Application (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category E - Turf and Ornamentals - Indoor Application, Greenhouses and Indoor Plantscapes (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category E - Turf and Ornamentals - Outdoor Application (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category F - Aquatic (PDF: 23 KB / 1 page)
• Category G - Forest Spraying Aerial Application (PDF: 23 KB / 1 page)
• Category G - Forest Spraying Ground Application (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category H - Seed Treatment (PDF: 16 KB / 1 page)
• Category I - Anti-Microbial (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category J - Rights-of-Way Aerial Application (PDF: 24 KB / 1 page)
• Category J - Rights-of-Way Ground Application (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category K - Agricultural Pest Control - Animal (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category L - Mosquito and Black Fly Control Aerial Application (PDF: 87 KB / 1 page)
• Category L - Mosquito and Black Fly Control Ground Application (PDF: 25 KB / 1 page)
• Category M - Food Processing (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category N - Stored Grain and Fumigation, Excluding Fumigation (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category N - Stored Grain and Fumigation, Fumigation Only (PDF: 19 KB / 1 page)
• Category P - Pocket Gopher Control (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category Q - Wood Preservative, Field Treatments (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category Q - Wood Preservative, Treatment Plants (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category R - Sewer Root Control (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• Category S - Noncommercial Structural (PDF: 22 KB / 1 page)
• SPCA - Structural Pest Control Applicator, Excluding Fumigation (PDF: 23 KB / 1 page) 
• SPCA - Structural Pest Control Applicator with Fumigator (PDF: 18 KB / 1 page)

Other Information

• Application Guide for Lawn and Garden Products (PDF: 80 KB / 2 pages)
• Fertilizer Licensing Program
• Golf Course Pesticide Applicator Requirements
• Honeybee Protection Poster (PDF)
• License Lookup
• MDA Update - Newsletter of the Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division
• Online Licensing/Payment System
• Pesticide Application in Schools
• Pesticide Dealer Licensing Program
• Private Pesticide Applicator Fumigation Endorsement Program
• Private Pesticide Applicator Certification (Farmers and ag producers)
• Residential Antimicrobial Pesticide Applicator License Study and Report (PDF: 1.37 MB / 48 pages)
• Warning Signs for Applying Pesticide to Turf (PDF: 166 KB / 1 page)
• Worker Protection Standard

Laws and Rules

• Pesticide Control Law: Minnesota Statutes, Section 18B.01-18B.39
• Agricultural Chemical Liability Law: Minnesota Statutes, Section 18D.01-18D.331
• Agricultural Chemical Response and Reimbursement Law: Minnesota Statutes, Section 18E.01-18E.06
• Minnesota Rules, 1505
  • Minnesota Rules, 1505.0830: Authority
  • Minnesota Rules, 1505.0960: Reexamination procedures
  • Minnesota Rules, 1505.1030: Alternative for licensing requirement
  • Minnesota Rules, 1505.1240: Financial responsibility
  • Minnesota Rules, 1505.1250: Limits of liability for commercial pesticide applicators
  • Minnesota Rules, 1505.1260: Limits of liability for structural pesticide applicators
  • Minnesota Rules, 1505.1290: Reciprocal agreement between states

Resources

• National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
  Specialists at Oregon State University are now able to communicate science-based, objective information in a variety of languages in real time. This information will enable callers to make informed decisions about: 1) the technical/chemical information on labels, 2) exposure and risk, 3) safe use practices, 4) the signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning, and 5) pesticide regulatory issues. NPIC specialists can also help people find assistance with: 1) emergency treatment for humans and animals, 2) pesticide cleanup and disposal, 3) laboratory analyses, and 4) pesticide incident investigation. Free brochures about NPIC are available in English and Spanish. Call 1-800-858-7378 or e-mail at npic@ace.orst.edu.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Substance Registry System (SRS)
  The SRS is EPA's central information system about regulated and monitored substances. It provides a common basis for identification of chemicals, biological organisms, and other substances listed in EPA regulations and data systems.
• University of Minnesota Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Pesticide Education Resources
• Indiana State Chemist, Office of
• State Departments of Agriculture

MDA Contact

Licensing & Certification Unit
651-201-6615
Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division