Pesticide Applicator License Testing
Pesticide certification is divided out into two groups, private applicators and commercial applicators. The license or certification for both groups is through the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The Ohio Department of Agriculture regulates the use of pesticides.
A private applicator license is needed for farmers/producers who want to apply pesticides for their own use, thus they can’t apply pesticides for hire. In the case of private applicators the license is needed for “restricted” pesticides. When applying pesticides that can be purchased from any farm supply store, local hardware or a big box store, no license is needed unless the pesticide is restricted.
A commercial applicator license is needed for those applicators who apply pesticides for hire or on public property. Even pesticides that can be purchased without a license cannot be applied on public property like schools, churches, parks, etc. without a commercial applicator license.
If you would like to obtain a license you will need to pass exams in order to do so for either private or commercial.
- Private, Commercial, and Fertilizer applicator testing dates will be held on the following dates at 10:00 am located at Ohio Valley CTC.
9/6/23, 10/4/23, 12/6/23, 1/10/24, 2/7/24, 3/6/24, 4/10/24, 5/1/24
- Register online by going to pested.osu.edu or call ODA (pesticide division) at 614-728-6987.
- Dicamba for DT soybeans – New 5-year registrations and labels came out in December. You can find information about the required annual training on our website here: https://pested.osu.edu/DicambaTraining
PRIVATE APPLICATORS -- Adams County Classes
Category 15 - 5:00-6:00 pm
Categories: CORE, 1, 2, 3, & 6 – 6:00-9:00 pm
COSTS
PRE-REGISTRATION:
Pesticide Recertification: $35.00
Fertilizer Recertification: $15.00
Fertilizer & Pesticide Recertification $45.00
Pre-Registration is required. Click here for registration flyer.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATORS-- see pested.osu.edu
In Person and Online Options:
Registration: 740-524-4123
Recertification: 614-292-4070
Live In-Person - Pre-registration Only: No lunch $90, With Boxed Lunch $110
Ag. Fertilizer Recert: $15
Study materials are available at http://pested.osu.edu or by contacting your local Extension Office.
Fertilizer Applicator Education
Program designed to meet criteria established for “Agricultural Fertilizer Applicator Certification Program” as established in legislation Senate Bill 150 that is administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Individuals who spread their own fertilizer, not including manure, on 50 or more acres of crop land that the crop is primarily produced to sell will most likely will need this certification. For possible exemptions call the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 800-282-1955.
Private Applicator License Renewal
Once you receive a license, you must keep it current. Commercial applicators will need to attend re-certification classes through the state. Private applicators can attend local re-certification classes.
A private applicator license is good for 3 years and expires on March 31.
If you are up for renewal you should receive a letter from the Ohio Department of Agriculture about renewing your private applicator license. The cost for renewal is $30 (this is separate from the $35 fee for the 3 hour class). The $30 fee is to be paid to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Please be sure to mail that payment to ODA along with any other forms that may be included in the mailing. Your license will be renewed once the $30 payment and all forms are returned to ODA and you have completed the re-certification program.