The MDA is the authority regulating pesticide use in Minnesota. The MDA certifies applicators as qualified to obtain a license based on when he or she passes an initial test. The MDA issues different license types with specific categories depending on the intended application site.
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. Requirements to become a new applicator or renew an existing license are below. Applications of fertilizer require a fertilizer license.
- Apply online and pay application and surcharge fees, these fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable. You are strongly encouraged to complete your application online prior to the testing appointment. Include the name, address (physical address and mailing address, if different) and phone number of your employer. Provide your social security number.
- Certify that the financial requirements are met.
- Applying in-person or by mail: Confirm that that the testing location can accept payments, if approved by testing location, bring the completed application and payment to the testing appointment. If the location does not accept payments on behalf of MDA you will need to mail in the application form with payment to the MDA, contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us to obtain proof of payment before scheduling an exam.
- The MDA has partnered with many testing locations throughout the state. Visit Pesticide Testing Locations to schedule an exam.
Applicators licensed in the pervious calendar year 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.
Additional Note: applications of fertilizer require a fertilizer license.
Categories to apply for under a Commercial and Noncommercial pesticide applicator license.
| Category Code | Commercial | Non-commercial | 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 Crops Pest Management | Herbicides, fungicides and/or insecticides 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 water is 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 endorsement for structural applicator OR private pesticide certification) |
| O | Yes | Yes | Soil Fumigation | Pesticide to Soil (fumigation endorsement 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 around structures (not for-hire) |
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 performed by a licensed applicator. Requirements to become a new applicator or renew an existing license are below.
Application & Fees
New applicators must pay the application and surcharge fees, these fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable. The MDA strongly encourages new applicators to apply online prior to the testing appointment.
If you are unable to apply online, complete the application form including the name, address (physical address and mailing address, if different) and phone number of your employer. Provide your social security number.
Also, if not applying online confirm that the testing location can accept payments. If approved by the testing location, bring the completed application and payment to the testing appointment. If the location does not accept payments on behalf of the MDA you will need to mail in the application form with payment to the MDA. Contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us to obtain proof of payment before scheduling an exam.
Schedule Exam
The MDA has partnered with many testing locations throughout the state. Visit Pesticide Testing Locations to schedule an exam.
Applicators licensed in the pervious calendar year will find renewal instructions on their renewal form. These fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable. If the applicator is required to retest, they 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.
Categories to apply for under a Commercial and Noncommercial pesticide applicator license.
| Category Code | Commercial | Non-commercial | 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 Crops Pest Management | Herbicides, fungicides and/or insecticides 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 water is 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 endorsement for structural applicator OR private pesticide certification) |
| O | Yes | Yes | Soil Fumigation | Pesticide to Soil (fumigation endorsement 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 around structures (not for-hire) |
Structural Pest Control Applicator
Structural Pest Control Applicator licenses are for applicators that apply pesticides in, on, under, or around structures. See Structural Pest Control Requirements. To become licensed, an applicant must be employed by a licensed structural pest control company with a Master applicator.
New applicators must pay application and surcharge fees, these fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable. The MDA strongly encourages new applicators to apply online prior to the testing appointment.
If you are unable to apply online, complete the application form including the name, address (physical address and mailing address, if different) and phone number of your employer. Provide your social security number. Certify that the financial requirements are met.
Also, if not applying online confirm that the testing location can accept payments. If approved by the testing location, bring the completed application and payment to the testing appointment. If the location does not accept payments on behalf of the MDA you will need to mail in the application form with payment to the MDA. Contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us to obtain proof of payment before scheduling an exam.
Schedule Exam
The MDA has partnered with many testing locations throughout the state. Visit Pesticide Testing Locations to schedule an exam. Categories include Master or Journeyman
- To become licensed as a Master, the applicator must work for at least two years as a licensed Journeyman.
- Fumigation Endorsement can be added to Master or Journeyman license.
Applicators licensed in the pervious calendar year 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.
Categories to apply for under a Structural Pest Control License (SPCA). The SPCA license is 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 Endorsement | Fumigant in a structure, category N: Non-Soil Fumigation. |
Structural Pest Control Company
Structural Pest Control Company licenses are for companies that employ a Master and Journeyman applicator.
See Structural Pest Control Requirements
To become licensed, a company must:
Apply online or complete and submit a New Structural Pest Control Company License Application Form and submit with payment to MDA. These fees and surcharges are non-transferable and nonrefundable.
- Employ at least one licensed Master applicator.
- Provide Workers’ Compensation Insurance for employees.
Private Pesticide Applicator Certification
Private applicators apply 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 pesticides to their land can apply for a Private Certification.
- Apply for a Certification at University of Minnesota Extension website
- Register, pay, and pass exam before October 31st
- See MDA details for Private Applicator Certification
Endorsement categories available to individuals that currently hold a Private Pesticide Applicator Certification. Private Pesticide Certification exams and recertification training are provided by the University of Minnesota Extension. Testing for endorsement categories is administered by the MDA under Private Pesticide Applicator Certification.
| Category Code | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Endorsement: General Aerial (category) B | Pesticide application with an aircraft. |
| Private | Endorsement: Non-Soil Fumigation (category N) | Fumigants and other pesticides to stored grain, processed grain, other commodities and facilities. |
| Private | Endorsement: Soil Fumigation (category O) | Pesticide to soil. |
