Pesticide Safety & Licensing

The goal of the Pesticide Applicator Licensing program is to certify private and commercial applicators to use pesticides.

To qualify for certification, a pesticide applicator must show adequate knowledge of the type of pesticide application that they intend to perform. By educating, training, and testing people who apply certain pesticides, we are able to assure consumers that the person applying pesticides is knowledgeable and qualified. The law associated with this program is the Kansas Pesticide Law.

Private Pesticide Applicator

A private pesticide applicator certification may only be used to apply or supervise the application of a restricted use pesticide product according to label directions for the purpose of:

- Producing an agricultural commodity
  - On property owned or rented by the private certified applicator or such person's employer; or
  - If applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on property owned or rented by another producer of an agricultural commodity.
Private certification may be obtained by passing an open book examination at a county extension office. Contact the county extension office in advance to ensure the office will be open and allow 2-3 hours to complete the examination. The county extension office will collect the $25 fee and mail the completed examination to KDA for grading and issuing the certification card. Private applicator certification expires on the individual’s birthday in the 5th calendar year after it is issued.

Private Pesticide Applicator Manual

The private applicator study manual (Publication MF-531) is available Kansas State University by calling (785) 532-5830 or by ordering at the KSU Research and Extension Bookstore.

Renewal applications are mailed to the applicator’s home address. Please inform KDA of any address changes to make sure you receive your renewal material.

Commercial Pesticide Applicator

Applicants must pass the General examination and a category or subcategory examination to become certified (Commercial Applicator Certification Categories). Fees are $45 per examination. The General examination is also $45, as are examination retakes.

For the current pesticide commercial applicator examination schedule, go to the Pesticide Certification Exam Schedule. The first paragraph on the exam schedule lists where study manuals may be obtained from Kansas State University.

Renewal of a current certification category may be accomplished by examination or training (Commercial Applicator Recertification Information). The examination for renewal is the same as above. For the current schedule of recertification training go to Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Programs and Training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the frequently asked questions about Kansas Dicamba Training. Answers were provided by K-State Research and Extension's Pesticide Safety and IPM Program.

So do all paraquat dichloride product labels require the additional training?

Who is required to take this training?

How often am I required to receive the training?

Do I need to be certified to use products containing paraquat dichloride?

The newly labeled products state that “Product may ONLY be mixed, loaded or applied by a certified applicator who has successfully completed the paraquat-specific training before use. Application “under direct supervision” of a certified applicator is NO LONGER allowed. In the state of Kansas, this means that everyone purchasing and using these products has to either obtain a private applicator license (application to agricultural lands owned or operated by individual) or a commercial applicator license (applicators applying to other people’s land for compensation). If you have been applying under someone else’s license in the past you will need to get your own license before applying these products.

How can I complete the training requirements?

Do all dicamba product labels require the additional training?

Where can I get the training?

Do I need to attend training if I already did in 2022 or 2023?

Do I need to be certified to use these products?

The new labels state that these formulations are for retail sale to and use only by certified applicators. In the state of Kansas, this means that everyone purchasing and using these products has to either obtain a private applicator license (application to agricultural lands owned or operated by individual) or a commercial applicator license (applicators applying to other people’s land for compensation). If you have been applying under someone else’s license in the past you will need to get your own license if you are applying these products.

My hired hand and I both hold private applicators licenses. He will be doing all my spraying. I am taking the dicamba training, but does he also have to take the dicamba training?

Do other states accept Kansas’s state-approved RUP dicamba training?

This information is made available by the K-State Pesticide Safety and IPM Program. Contact your local Extension Office if you need additional information.