The first step in obtaining a qualified supervisor, certified operator or private applicator license is to determine which is appropriate for you. A description of each is available on the main testing information page.
Qualified Supervisor (QS)
- Definition of Qualified Supervisor (QS)
Qualified Supervisor: An individual employed by or acting on behalf of a commercial, limited commercial, or public applicator who without supervision evaluates pest problems, recommends pest controls using pesticides or devices, mixes, loads, or applies any pesticide, sells any application services, operates devices, or supervises others in any of these functions must be licensed as a qualified supervisor. A Qualified Supervisor must meet specific on-the-job experience requirements in each category of licensure to obtain this license.
An applicant for a qualified supervisor license must:
- Successfully complete the general exam plus exams in all categories applicable to the pesticide applications which they will be performing
- Have the required experience and qualifications specified in rule
- Submit a properly completed application and the $100 license fee.
Certified Operator (CO)
- Definition of Certified Operator (CO)
Certified Operator: An individual employed by or acting on behalf of a commercial, limited commercial, or public applicator, who uses restricted use pesticides without the on-site supervision of a qualified supervisor must be licensed as a certified operator. There are no experience requirements to obtain this license.
An applicant for a certified operator license must:
- Successfully complete the general exam plus exams in all categories applicable to the pesticide applications which they will be performing
- Submit a properly completed application and the $100 fee, or apply for a reciprocal license.
Private Applicator (PA)
- Definition of Private Applicator (PA)
Private Applicator: A person who uses or supervises the use of a restricted use pesticide for the purpose of producing an 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 must be a licensed private applicator.
An applicant for a private applicator license must:
- Successfully complete the private applicator exam
- Submit a properly completed application and the $75 license fee with the application and acceptable ID, such as a driver's license copy.