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Private Applicator Testing Information

To qualify for a Private Pesticide Applicator license you must be someone who uses or supervises the use of, pesticides for the purpose of raising an agricultural commodity. The pesticide use can be on land owned or rented by the applicator or the applicator's employer. Examples of private applicators are farmers, ranchers, vegetable or fruit growers, nurserymen, and greenhouse growers, including cannabis growers.

Private Applicator Exam Study Guide

A Private Applicator Exam Study Guide may be purchased here.

Note: As of January 1, 2024, private applicators must hold additional categories to make aerial and/or fumigation applications. These categories must be acquired in addition to holding a private applicator license.

  • Aerial Applicators Manual (category 114): free PDF download or may be purchased through Colorado State University's website. The category includes the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
  • National Soil Fumigation Guide (category 309A): free PDF download or may be purchased through Colorado State University's website. 
    • For example, a private applicator would need category 309A to control insects, weeds, or disease in soil through the use of a fumigant.
  • The Non-Soil Fumigation Guide (category 309B): can be purchased from Colorado State University's website.
    • For example, a private applicator would need category 309B to control burrowing rodents through the use of a fumigant.
  • The Structural Fumigation Guide (category 303): can be purchased through Colorado State University's website.
    • For example, a private applicator would need category 303 to control pests in grain bins and/or silos through the use of a fumigant. 

Before initial licensure, the applicant must take and pass the Private Applicator examination.  As of January 1, 2024, all applicators must take their examination at an approved proctored examination site, per federal requirements.   The Private Applicator exam fee is $40 (plus a small convenience fee).

To obtain a Private Pesticide Applicator License you must:

  • successfully completed and passed your Private Applicator examination
  • complete a license application
  • pay a $75 license fee
  • submit a copy of your government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license)
  • provide a photo for you pesticide license card 

Further information is available on the Private Applicator Licensing Information page.

Exam Administration

Scheduling & Taking Private Applicator Examinations

CDA partners with Metro Institute and Colorado State University Extension to provide secure online Private Applicator examinations at proctor locations across Colorado. When you register for your exam you will be prompted to pick the time and location where you would like to take your exam.

To begin the testing process read all of the information on this page first; then begin by visiting the Metro Institute online testing website and select Colorado. You will be asked to visit two parts of the Metro Site to complete the exam application and schedule your test.

Complete the Exam Application

1. Complete the Exam Application

  • Submit and Online Exam Application through the Metro Institute website. CDA will verify your Pesticide Applicator ID number if you have one or to create a Pesticide Applicator ID number for you if you are new to the pesticide applicator examination process.
  • CDA will send an e-mail to you confirming your CDA Applicator ID number - please write it down for future use. 

2. Schedule your Exam

  • On the Metro Institute website find your Testing Center location then select "Schedule Now" to select date and time of your exam.
  • You will be prompted to enter your name, applicator ID number, and password provided by Metro Institute.
  • You'll be asked for some optional employer related information and any missing information. The information collected at this website is used to create a Metro account that allows you to schedule and pay for exams.
  • Follow the prompts to choose your testing location and exams you wish to take.
  • Pay all examination fees. The examination fee is $41.50 per test.
  • Metro will e-mail you your receipt and confirmation of your date, time and location of your scheduled exam(s).
  • All examinations must be paid for and scheduled online at least two days prior to testing. A test may not be scheduled and taken on the same day and must be taken at the scheduled location.

3. Take your Exam

  • Report to your exam location at the scheduled time and date.
  • For security purposes, you must have a valid e-mail account. Without a valid e-mail account, you will not be able to test.
  • You must provide a photo ID at the time of examination.
  • No reference materials are allowed in the examination area, except for materials the testing center provides from private applicator examinations.

Additional exam and fee information

After scheduling and paying for each test, you will receive confirmation emails from CDA and Metro. You may schedule and take the exams in any order, but you must pass the Private Applicator examination and license in the Category 401, Private Applicator category prior to being able to obtain additional rider categories in aerial or soil/non-soil fumigation application categories.

If you need assistance with testing please contact Metro Institutes at 602-452-2900 (Make sure you tell them you are taking the private applicator exam.) 

  • NOTE: You can renew your private applicator license by retesting. Just follow the same steps above if you choose to renew your private applicator license in this manner. 

CDA office is open Monday - Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Any applications and exam scheduling requests submitted during the weekend will be processed as soon as possible during the Monday-Friday work week. 

Examination results are valid for one year from the date of the passed exam. In addition to testing, a license application must be completed to license initially or add a rider category (aerial or soil/non-soil fumigation).

The fee to license or to renew a Private Applicator license is $75.00. This is separate from any examination fees. There is no fee to add a license category. An individual private applicator license may be renewed through either examination or continuing education credits (CECs).

 

Types of pesticide applicators

Anyone can take the Private Applicator examination. A private applicator license is only intended to be used to apply or supervise the use of a restricted use pesticide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity.

  • Under CRS 35-10-103(11.5), a Private Applicator is defined as: "any person who uses or supervises the use of a pesticide for purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or leased by the applicator or the applicator's employer or, if the pesticide is applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on the property of another person."

If a person wants to make pesticide applications for hire or apply restricted use pesticides for purposes other than producing an agricultural commodity, they must license as a commercial applicator and/or hold the appropriate Qualified Supervisor license.