How To Obtain A Pesticide License – Private, Commercial, or Noncommercial

STEPS TO BECOMING A PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR

Step 1: Complete a Private Pesticide Applicator training session FIRST. Contact your county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office for training opportunities.
o    You may purchase training materials from certain County Extension Offices, via mail in order form (PA-1405) at www-aes.tamu.edu, or call (979) 845-3849 and we can take you order over the phone with a Master Card or Visa.

o  You can obtain your Private Pesticide Applicator training session from your County Extension Agent, or you can obtain the training online for $100 by registering here.

Step 2: Upon completion of the training, a Training Verification form (D-1411) will be provided to the applicant (form provided by County Extension Agent or trainer).
o    Applicants should keep the yellow copy for their records.
o    The white copy (original) should be mailed to the Texas Department of Agriculture (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, or by clicking the link. (Website: www.TexasAgriculture.gov or Phone: 1-800-835-5832 or 512-463-7622).

Step 4: Submit the completed Private Pesticide Applicator application form (PA-400P), license fee of $100, and the white (original) copy of the Training Verification form (D-1411) 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.  PSI staff cannot provide licensing advice or information.
o    A Pesticide Licensing Examination Candidate Information Bulletin is provided at the PSI website to assist the applicant with the exam scheduling process.
o    The private applicator will pay $64 per exam.
o    There is a 24 hour waiting period to take a repeat exam.
o    PSI will provide a confirmation number and testing location information.

Step 7: Upon completion of the exam, the testing center will provide test results immediately. A passing grade is 70% or higher.

Step 8: PSI will send exam scores to TDA daily. If all licensing criteria are met, TDA will issue the license.

Important: If an applicant has any questions about licensing or exam categories, please contact TDA at 1-800-835-5832 or 512-463-7622.  Texas Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Pesticide Program | P.O. Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711 | phone 800-TELL-TDA.