Texas Department of Agriculture Agricultural Applicator
The Texas Pesticide Law requires that you must be licensed or certified by TDA in order to lawfully use a restricted-use pesticide, state-limited-use pesticide or regulated herbicides.
Requirements:
Agricultural applicators must keep records of pesticide applications for two years.
Commercial agricultural applicators must have insurance and register their pesticide equipment.
All applicators must obtain continuing education units (CEUs) to renew their license
Private Pesticide Applicator License
A private pesticide applicator is someone who uses or supervises the use of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce an agricultural commodity on: Personally owned property; Rented property; Property owned by his or her employer; Property under his or her general control; or The property of another person if applied without compensation, other than the trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities.
How to obtain a private applicator license
You can obtain your Private Pesticide Applicator training session from your County Extension Agent, or you can obtain the training online for $100 by registering at Texas Private Pesticide Applicator Training.
All testing for private applicators is done through PSI. Please read the attached documents before scheduling your training.
PSI Convenience Testing
PSI Exam Instructions
PSI Exams Online
Private Applicator Holders Recertification
Recertification Requirements: Licensed private applicators are required to recertify every five years by obtaining 15 continuing education credits, including two (2) credits in Laws and Regulations and two (2) credits in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), prior to expiration of the license. You must maintain the CEU certificates on file for one year following renewal of your license, in case of an audit by TDA.
Pesticide Commercial/Noncommercial Applicator License
Commercial applicator: operates a business or is employed by a business that applies restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides to the property of another person for hire or compensation.
Noncommercial applicator: is required to be licensed, but does not qualify as a commercial applicator.
Noncommercial political subdivision (NCPS): an applicator employed by a political subdivision of the state of Texas or a federal agency operating in Texas.
Pesticide Commercial/Noncommercial Applicator License
Testing for Commercial/Noncommercial Pesticide Applicators
Pesticide Commercial/Noncommercial Recertification Requirements
Licensed commercial, noncommercial and NCPS applicators are required to recertify every year by obtaining five continuing education credits; with one credit each from two of the following categories: laws and regulations, integrated pest management or drift minimization.
Change of Information
The Texas Administrative Code (rule 7.20) requires all licensees to notify the department within 30 days of any change in the information provided as part of the application for a license. Licensees must submit a change of information form that is signed. You can scan the signed form and email it to license.inquiry@TexasAgriculture.gov, faxed to 800-909-8534 or mail it to Texas Department of Agriculture, Licensing Division, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711. This will ensure you receive licensing information from TDA.
Additional Pesticide Applicator publications
Private Applicator Study Guide Order Form
Pesticide Applicator Recordkeeping Form
Private Applicator Recordkeeping Requirements
Private Pesticide Applicator Recordkeeping Requirements
