Missouri Pesticide Applicator Requirements & FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about Missouri's pesticide certification, and state approved continuing education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Missouri Pesticide Applicator General Information
State Licensing Contact Information
Phone: (573) 751-5504
Fax: (573) 751-0005
Web: Missouri Department of Agriculture
What kind of Missouri Pesticide Applicator's Certification do I need?
Certified Commercial Applicators are defined by the Missouri Pesticide Use Act as: Any individual, whether or not he is a private applicator with respect to some uses, who is certified by the director as authorized to use, supervise the use of, or determine the need for the use of, any pesticide, whether classified for restricted use or for general use, while engaged in the business of using pesticides on the lands of another as a direct service to the public in exchange for a fee or compensation.
Certified Noncommercial Applicators are defined by the Missouri Pesticide Use Act as: Any individual, whether or not he is a private applicator with respect to some uses, who is certified by the director as authorized to use, or to supervise the use of, any pesticide which is classified for restricted use only on lands owned or rented by the applicator or their employer.
Certified Public Operators are defined by the Missouri Pesticide Use Act as: Any individual who is certified by the director as authorized to use, or to supervise the use of, any pesticide which is classified for restricted use in the performance of their duties as an official or employee of any agency of the state of Missouri or any political subdivision thereof, or any other governmental agency.
Pesticide Dealers are defined by the Missouri Pesticide Use Act as any individual who is engaged in the business of distributing, selling, offering for sale, or holding for sale at retail, or direct wholesale to the end user, any pesticide classified for restricted use.
Pesticide Technicians are any individuals who use or determine the need for the use of pesticides, under the direct supervision of a certified commercial applicator, in Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, General Structural Pest Control, or Termite Pest Control must be licensed as a pesticide technician.
Certified Private Applicators are defined by the Missouri Pesticide Use Act as any individual who is certified by the director as authorized to use, or to supervise the use of, any pesticide which is classified for restricted use for purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the applicator or their employer or on the property of another person, if used without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on the property of another person.
What classifications of applicator's licensing does Missouri have?
- Commercial Applicator
- Noncommercial Applicator
- Pesticide Dealer
- Pesticide Technician
- Private Applicator
- Public Operator
What are the categories for pesticide licensing in Missouri?
- Category 1A – Agricultural Plant Pest Control
- Category 1B – Agricultural Animal Pest Control
- Category 2 – Forest Pest Control
- Category 3 – Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
- Category 4 – Seed Treatment
- Category 5 – Aquatic Pest Control
- Category 5B – Sewer Root Control
- Category 6 – Right-of-Way Pest Control
- Category 7A – General Structural Pest Control
- Category 7B – Termite Pest Control
- Category 7C – Fumigation Pest Control
- Category 8 – Public Health Pest Control
- Category 9 – Regulatory Pest Control
- Category 10 – Demonstration and Research Pest Control
- Category 11 – Wood Product Pest Control
Does the state of Missouri offer pesticide applicator reciprocity with other states?
- Kansas - all categories.
- Nebraska - all categories.
- Iowa - all categories.
- Minnesota - all categories
- Illinois - all categories
- Nebraska - all categories
- Arkansas - all categories except for ornamental and turf pest control and the structural pest control categories.
- Louisiana - all categories except for the structural pest control categories.
- Agricultural Aviation Board of Mississippi - Categories 1A, 2, 5, and 6.
- Tennessee - Aerial only
Missouri Pesticide Applicator Certifications
What is needed to become a Missouri certified pesticide applicator?
Certified Commercial Applicator
- A completed Certified Applicator and Pesticide Dealer Application
- $50.00 license fee
- Evidence of financial responsibility, such as: an insurance certificate or surety bond.
- If the applicant is an out-of-state resident, the applicant must submit: Non Resident Agent Form
- If the applicant applies for a Certified Commercial Applicator license in Category 7A, Category 7B, or Category 7C, the applicant will be required to submit evidence of valid experience using pesticides (in these categories) while under the direct supervision of a Certified Commercial Applicator or evidence of having an Associates of Arts degree or its equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, or Entomology by submitting a copy of the degree or college transcript. The Verification of Structural Pesticide Application Experience Form should be used to attest valid experience.
Certified Noncommercial Applicator
- A $25.00 license fee
- A completed Certified Applicator and Pesticide Dealer Application
- If the applicant is an out-of-state resident, the applicant must submit: Non Resident Agent Form
Certified Public Operator
- A completed Certified Applicator and Pesticide Dealer Application
- If the applicant applies for a license in Category 7A, Category 7B, or Category 7C, the applicant must submit evidence of valid experience using pesticides (in these categories) or evidence of having an Associates of Arts degree or its equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, or Entomology by submitting a copy of the degree or college transcript. The Verification of Structural Pesticide Application Experience Form should be used to attest valid experience
- If the applicant is an out-of-state resident, the applicant must submit: Non Resident Agent Form
- No license fee is required. The license will be mailed automatically to the applicant upon receipt of all required application materials and passing the required examinations
Certified Private Applicators
- Complete the Certified Private Applicator Training Program provided by the University of Missouri Extension Office
- Complete Private Applicator Certification Training Verification Form
- No license fee is required
Pesticide Dealer
- Pass the Pesticide Dealer examination only. To learn more about the exam process or to register for an exam, click here.
- A $25.00 license fee
- A completed Certified Applicator and Pesticide Dealer Application
- If the applicant is an out-of-state resident, the applicant must submit: "Non Resident Agent Form
Pesticide Technician
- Within 45 days of hiring a person as a pesticide technician trainee:
- The trainee must successfully complete the approved training program
- The employer or certified applicator must submit a notice of training form,Pesticide Technician Application form, and the $25.00 technician license fee. (Non-Missouri residents must also submit a Non-Resident Agent Form.
Who administers the Missouri pesticide exam?
How do I schedule my Missouri pesticide exam?
Visit Pearson Vue or call (866) 221-6481