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.
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:
- Apply online or complete and submit a New Pesticide Applicator License Application Form (PDF)
- Pay application fee and surcharge before taking certification exams
- Pass at least two certification exams, CORE (A) and one other category
- Aerial Applicators must pass CORE (A), Aerial (B) and at least one other category
- Meet Financial Responsibility Requirements
- Recertify AND renew license as required
- Note that applications of fertilizer requires a fertilizer license
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. To become licensed, an applicant must:
- Apply online or complete and submit a New Pesticide Applicator License Application Form (PDF)
- Pay application fee and surcharge before taking certification exams
- Pass at least 2 certification exams, CORE (A) and one other category
- Aerial Applicators must pass CORE (A), Aerial (B) and at least one other category
- Recertify AND renew license as required
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:
- Apply online or complete and submit a New Structural Pest Control Applicator License Application Form (PDF)
- Pay application fee before taking certification exams
- Be employed by a licensed structural pest control company with a Master applicator
- Pass a certification exam in CORE (A) and at least one category detailed below
- 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 category
- Meet Financial Responsibility Requirements
- Recertify AND renew license as required
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 (PDF)
- Pay application fee and surcharge
- 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
Pesticide Applicator License Categories
This table displays the categories for Commercial pesticide applicator licenses, Noncommercial pesticide applicator licenses, and Structural Pest Control Applicator Licenses.
| 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, 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 | Stored Grain and 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 License (SPCA) is a license type separate from Commercial and Noncommercial. It can be held with a Commercial license.
| Category Code | Commercial | Noncommercial | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPCA | Yes | No | Structural Master | Pesticide on, in, under or around structures with 2 years licensed experience. |
| SPCA | Yes | No | Structural Journeyman | Pesticide on, in, under or around structures |
| SPCA | Yes | No | Fumigant Endorsement | Fumigant in a structure (building or grain facility) |
| Private | No | No | Optional Fumigation Endorsement | Private Pesticide Certification exams and recertification training are provided by the University of Minnesota Extension. Private Fumigation Endorsement (soil or grain) can be added through exams given by MDA. |
