We get questions pertaining to the requirements for purchase and application of pesticides. I will provide some of the basic information in this article and if you would like more details, the information can be found at the Kansas Department of Ag (KDA) site: https://agriculture.ks.gov/home. This information is under the Pesticide and Fertilizer division of the site.
A Private Applicator Certification is required for an individual to purchase restricted use pesticides. This certification also authorizes a person to apply or supervise the application of these pesticides. The restricted use list is determined by EPA. An example of a restricted use herbicide that is often used in brush and weed control is Tordon 22K. The restricted use applies to any pre-mix that contains the active ingredient of Tordon 22K, Picloram. A Private Applicator Certification may be obtained by passing an open book exam at a county or district extension office by appointment. The study manual is available online or may be purchased at any extension office. The $25 fee and your completed exam will be mailed to KDA for grading and issuing the certification. The certification is good for 5 years.
A Pesticide Business License is required for anyone who advertises, offers for sale, sells or performs any service for the control of a pest on the property of another or applies a pesticide to the property of another for compensation. This requirement applies to all pesticides. To obtain a license, a person must: submit a completed application with the required fees, along with other required documentation. In addition to these requirements, the owner or one or more of the employees of the business must be a certified commercial applicator in each category for which the license application is made. The fee is $140 for each of the business license categories applied for.
The Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification must be accomplished by examination. Applicants must pass the general exam and a category exam for each they wish to be certified in. Fees are $45 per exam, including the general exam. A list of the categories is available at the Kansas Department of Ag web site. The Pesticide Certification Exam Schedule is also available at that site. Study manuals may be ordered from Kansas State Research and Extension.
NOTE: People are often confused Commercial Applicator Certification with a Pesticide Business License. In Kansas, to use a commercial certification to perform pesticide application work for compensation, you need to do one of the following:
Work as an employee of a business that is properly licensed to perform pesticide application work in the categories of your certification; or obtain your own Pesticide Business License (Pesticide Business) to perform pesticide application work.
Reporting Pesticide Damage: On a related topic, the KDA is the agency responsible for regulating pesticides in Kansas. Pesticide damage reports should be filed with a Pesticide Complaint Form that can be found in the Pesticide and Fertilizer Division.