A private pesticide applicator is someone who uses or supervises the use of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce an agricultural commodity on:
- Personally owned property;
- Rented property
- Property owned by his or her employer;
- Property under his or her general control; or
- The property of another person if applied without compensation, other than the trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities.
An agricultural commodity is a plant or animal grown for sale, lease, barter, feed or human consumption and animals raised for farm or ranch work. No license is required to apply general-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has contracted with PSI Services (PSI) to administer exams for agricultural pesticide applicator licensing. This is the same vendor that administers exams for structural pest control licensing. PSI has been providing credentialing and testing services to state and federal agencies, private sector businesses and professional associations for over 65 years.
STEPS TO BECOMING A PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
Step 1: Attend a Private Pesticide Applicator training session
FIRST Contact your Hopkins county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office for training opportunities at 903-885-3443.Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers the Texas Private Applicator Training Course online also. You will find more information at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/index.cfm/productDetails/ProductID/1730/
You can purchase training materials at 903-885-3443.
Step 2: Upon completion of the training, a Training Verification form (D-1411) will be provided to the applicant. Applicants should keep the yellow copy for their records. The white copy (original) should be mailed to TDA with the Private Pesticide Applicator license application form (PA-400P).
Step 3: The applicant needs to obtain a hard copy of the Private Pesticide Applicator license application form (PA-400P) from TDA. (Website: www.TexasAgriculture.gov
or Phone: 1-800-835-5832 or 512-463-7622).
Step 4: Submit the completed Private Pesticide Applicator application form, license fee of $
100and the white (original) copy of the Training Verification form to TDA for processing.
Step 5: When the license application is accepted, TDA will send the applicant a letter in the mail with their Account Number. This Account Number is the number the applicator will use to register and schedule the Private applicator exam with PSI.
Step 6: Applicants can go to PSIexams.com or call 1-800-733-9267 to schedule an exam at one of 22 locations around the state. A Pesticide Licensing Examination Candidate Information Bulletin is provided at the PSI website to assist the applicant with the exam scheduling process.
The private applicator will pay $64 per exam. If the applicant fails the first attempt, there is a 24 hour waiting period to take a repeat exam.PSI will provide a confirmation number and testing location information.
Step 7: Upon completion of the exam, the center will provide test results immediately. A passing grade is 70%
Step 8: PSI will send exam scores to TDA daily. If all licensing criteria are met, TDA will issue the license
Recertification Requirements
Licensed private applicators are required to recertify every five years by obtaining 15 continuing education credits, including two (2) credits in laws and regulations and two (2) credits in integrated pest management (IPM), prior to expiration of the license. Contact TDA for a list of approved courses. A list of courses is also available on TDA’s web site.
Recertification Exam
Private applicators may earn the required credits by passing the recertification exam that includes questions on information covered in continuing education courses. If an applicator passes the exam, a certificate of completion for 15 CEUs will be issued. The exam costs $64 per attempt.
Change of Information
The Texas Administrative Code (rule 7.20) requires all licensees to notify the department within 30 days of any change in the information provided as part of the application for a license. Licensees must submit a change of information form that is signed. You can scan the signed form and email it to [email protected], faxed to 800-909-8534 or mail it to Texas Department of Agriculture, Licensing Division, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711. This will ensure you receive licensing information from TDA.
