Commercial pesticide licensing
Get authorized to apply pesticides on the ground or by aircraft and deal and consult on pesticide application
License requirements
Your business must be licensed if you do any of the following:
Apply pesticides (including general use pesticides) for hire in any location that isn't a building or related structure.
Sell federally or state restricted pesticide
Make pesticide recommendations for a fee
To stay in compliance, your business must:
Pay annual fees
Employ at least one certified commercial pesticide applicator, RUP salesperson, or agricultural consultant; $10 annual fee for agricultural consultant field scout
Register all mechanically-powered pesticide spray equipment (see: equipment registration form ); $50 annual fee
Maintain and provide evidence of financial surety (Rules and Regulations Section 133)
Types of business licenses
This at-a-glance comparison tells you what you might need for your business. More details are below.
Any business or individual who wants to apply pesticides to control pests anywhere except in a building or other structure must first get certified as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator by passing the General Standards exam.
After passing the exam and paying a license fee, certified applicators must pass exams and receiving a license in one or more of the categories listed here:
To do this | You need this |
|---|---|
Apply pesticides by ground | Ground Owner Operator License |
Apply pesticides by aircraft | Aerial Owner Operator License |
Sell restricted use pesticides | RUP Dealer License |
Make pesticide recommendations for a fee | Agricultural Consultant License |
Duplicate licenses and/or certification cards are available and cost the same as the original.
Change of information
Once licensed, if your address or contact information changes, email pestcert@ldaf.state.la.us .
Licensing and registration
Commercial pesticide application companies that apply pesticide by ground are required to have a Ground Owner Operator License.
Download, fill out, and follow the guidelines on the application form.
License requirements:
$200 fee for Louisiana residents (those based in Louisiana for at least 90 days)
$500 fee for non-Louisiana residents
$50 equipment registration fee
Proof of liability insurance not less than $25,000
Description of all mechanically powered pesticide equipment
Commercial pesticide application companies that apply pesticides by aircraft or by drone are required to have an Aerial Owner Operator License.
You can get a Phenoxy License if you apply phenoxy pesticides, or a Non-Phenoxy License if you apply non-phenoxy pesticides.
License requirements:
$200 fee for Louisiana residents (those based in Louisiana for at least 90 days)
$500 fee for non-Louisiana residents
$50 equipment registration fee
Proof of liability insurance not less than $25,000
Description of all mechanically powered pesticide equipment
Download, fill out, and follow the guidelines on the appropriate application form.
Companies that sell restricted use pesticides are required to have a RUP Dealer License. License fees:
$200 fee for Louisiana residents
$500 fee for non-Louisiana residents
About the license.
Companies that make pesticide recommendations for a fee need an Agricultural Consultant License (Pesticide Law RS 3:3201-3389 Section 3246).
This license requires extensive qualifications ,. so please review the education and professional requirements on the application for commission approval to make sure you qualify
Apply for approval
mail the application for commission approval .
If you receive an approval notification, it means the commission has granted requirements for certification testing
Apply for testing and pay fees
Download and complete an application for testing
Complete a notarized affidavit providing evidence of meeting education and experience requirements.
Mail the notarized affidavit and the application for testing to
The Advisory Commission on Pesticides: 5825 Florida Blvd Suite 3003, Baton Rouge, LA, 70806.
Pay $50 fee for each exam you select
If the Advisory Commission approves your testing application
Schedule your exam(s)
About the exam
Agricultural Consultant certification exams are administered at LDAF District Offices Monday – Friday, (excluding holidays) by appointment only. Please contact your local district office for information
Agricultural Consultant certification exams contain varying amounts of multiple-choice questions (generally between 60 and 85).
Exam applicants must present a valid photo I.D. to take exams.
All subcategory exams cost $50.00 each.
A grade of 70% is required for successful completion of each exam; and, each specific category/subcategory exam may be taken up to three times in a 12-month period.
Pass the exam(s)
After passing the exam
Complete and mail the initial application for an agricultural consultant license .
Pay the license fee:
$200 for Louisiana residents
$500 for non-residents
You may also want to:
Apply for registration of field scouts ($10 registration fee per scout).
Contact info
National Pesticide Applicator Certification
in Louisiana, anyone who wants to be
A private pesticide applicator
A commercial pesticide applicator
or an RUP ( Restricted use pesticide ) salesperson
...must obtain a license by passing the National Pesticide Applicator Certification exam. The exam covers training requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Louisiana Pesticide Laws and Regulations.
If you are licensed in another state as a commercial pesticide applicator, you may apply for an exam waiver .
Prepare for exam
Order the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual from LSU
Study the manual
Answer the review questions at the end of each chapter.
Take exam
Complete the application for pesticide exams
Pass the exam ( $50 exam fee )
Stay compliant
Track pesticides applied using the record keeping form .
$20 annually for Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification
$25 annually for Government Employee Pesticide Applicator Certification (those employed by local, state, and federal government who apply pesticides as part of their job)
$25 every three years for Private Pesticide Applicator Certification
Field scouts who place pest traps, monitor and record pest activity, and assess crop performance to evaluate risk must be registered.
Contact info
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