Do you need a pesticide license?

If you will be applying pesticides, having a pesticide license is a good idea. It will prepare you to make applications safely. A license is MANDATORY if you will be applying any "restricted use" pesticides. Product labels will indicate if it is "restricted use".  You can apply these pesticides without a license, but you must be under the direct supervision of someone who does hold a pesticide license.

If so, what type of license do you need?

There are two main types of pesticide licenses, Private and Commercial/Public. A Private Applicator's license is for applicators who will be applying pesticide on their own private property or for their personal farm. If an applicator is applying pesticides for compensation, that applicator would need a commercial or public license, depending on whether they are employed by a private company or a government agency.

Additional categories can be added to a license, such as A for aquatic applications, if an applicator will be applying pesticides to a waterway as a form of aquatic weed management.

Learn more about the categories for licensing on the North Carolina Department of Agriculture's website.

Have you determined that you need to obtain a pesticide license?

Get your study manual or sign up for NC Pesticide School to prepare.

You can take the exam you need to take either online or in-person.