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Commercial or Noncommercial Applicator

If an individual is making a commercial (for-hire) or noncommercial (to apply restricted use pesticide) pesticide applications aerially, they need to pass exams in at least three categories as shown in the example below:

1. Category A (Core) basic principles of pesticide regulation and application; required for all licensed applicators.
2. Category B (General Aerial) pesticide application with an aircraft or UAV; required for all aerial pesticide application.
3. Additional Category (must have 1 or more categories based on the site/pest specific), for example,
   • Category C (Field Crops Pest Management)
   • Category J (Natural Areas, Forestry, Rights of Way)
   • Category L (Mosquito, Black Fly, and Ticks)

Additional information:

• License categories - Pesticide Applicator License Types
• Commercial and Noncommercial pesticide licenses - Pesticide Applicator Licensing
• Reciprocity agreements with 18 other states - Reciprocity

Private Applicator Certification

If a private applicator is making Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) applications with UAVs or aircraft, the applicator needs a General Aerial endorsement on their Private Applicator Certification. 

Questions regarding private applicator requirements can be directed to the University of Minnesota Private Pesticide Applicators certification program at 763-260-4423 or ppathelp@umn.edu. 

All UAVs must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The registration number must be legible and affixed to the UAV. 

Become a Drone Pilot | FAA

Operators have certification based on the weight of the UAV. Under 55 pounds operators are required to follow and be certified under the Code of Federal Regulations for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (14 CFR Part 107). Over 55 pounds operation can be done under Part 107 with waivers and exemptions from 14 CFR. 

An applicator/operator applying pesticides must also follow the Code of Federal Regulations for Agricultural Aircraft Operations (14 CFR Part 137). 

Part 137.3 Agricultural aircraft operation means the operation of an aircraft for the purpose of dispensing any economic poison. 

Economic poison means any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any insects, rodents, nematodes, fungi, weeds, and other forms of plant or animal life or viruses, except viruses on or in living man or other animals, which the Secretary of Agriculture shall declare to be a pest, and any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant. 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will NOT aid in determining whether a proposed operation is compliant with federal regulations.

In Minnesota, drones are governed by federal regulations, state statutes, and administrative rules. 

After the UAV has been registered with the FAA, it must also be registered with MnDOT under Aircraft Registration - Aeronautics and Aviation.

Minnesota law requires commercial operators to obtain a commercial operation (commercial operation is defined as any operation of an aircraft for compensation or hire) license before they advertise, represent, or hold themselves out as giving or offering to provide this service. Requirements are found on the MnDOT's Drones are Aircraft webpage. 

To get a commercial operations license the applicant must apply along with a certificate of insurance that meets the requirements under MnDOTs Aeronautics Rule (Minnesota Rule 8800.3200, Sub. 15). If you have any questions on MnDOT requirements, please contact:

• MnDOT UAS Aircraft Registration
  651-234-7201
  jana.falde@state.mn.us.

• UAS Commercial Operations License
  651-425-1960
  Leanne.justus@state.mn.us

• UAS Drone Info
  droneinfo.dot@state.mn.us

For a definitive analysis of your business case, please contact: 

UAS Department
MnDOT - Office of Aeronautics 
droneinfo.dot@state.mn.us