Pesticide applicator license coloradp
Licenses are required for safe and effective use of pesticides. The certification and licensing program protects the environment and public from the adverse effects of unsafe and incorrect use. We have outlined the licensing process below, visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture website for more information.
On this page, you will find information on:
- CSU Pesticide Applicator Training;
- Private applicator licensing requirements;
- Commercial applicator licensing requirements;
- Technician training; and
- Colorado Core Pesticide Training for Non-Registered Limited Commercial and Public Applicators.
Click here to determine where to start!
Start by following the flow chart or taking one of our Qualtrics surveys to help you determine which qualification is right for you.
- For CSU employees
- For Colorado residents NOT affiliated with CSU
CSU Pesticide Applicator Training
Our program has developed an online course to prepare you for the general licensing exam. Through our comprehensive training, participants will learn the essential aspects of pest management strategies, pesticide properties, environmental and public safety, applicator safety, and relevant laws and regulations for Colorado applicators.
Private Applicators
According to CDA, a Private Applicator is a person who uses or supervises the use of a restricted-use pesticide (RUP) 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.
Private applicators do not apply pesticides in exchange for compensation, but only to produce a commodity. If you are hired to apply pesticides in agricultural settings in exchange for payment then you are a commercial applicator, which we will cover later.
Private Applicator Licensing Process
- To be approved for a Private Applicator License, you must first take the general private applicator exam (Category 401). In preparation for this proctored exam, the CDA, in collaboration with our program, has provided a study guide. Additionally, we have developed an online pesticide applicator training that will prepare you for the exam and beyond.
- You will also be required to read and understand the Colorado Pesticide Applicator’s Act and the associated Rules and Regulations prior to taking the exam or applying pesticides.
- To take the exam, you must register on the Metro Institute online testing website and follow the instructions carefully to complete the exam application and schedule a proctored test.
- There is an examination fee of $41.50 per test for this portion of the licensing process.
- After you have completed and passed your exam with a 70% or more, you must submit your application for a Private Applicator License (note: the application begins at the bottom of the page). The application fee is $75.
- In some cases you will need to take additional exams. For private applicators using any fumigants, you will need to take a fumigation test (e.g., Category 303: Structural Fumigation, Category 309A: Soil Fumigation, or Category 309B: Non-Soil fumigation), and if you are making any pesticide applications with aerial equipment, you will need to take the aerial exam, Category 114. These tests can also be scheduled through your account at the Metro Institute.
Success in Taking Your Exam
Remember these things to sign up, prepare for, and succeed on test day:
- You MUST schedule online at least 2 days prior to taking the exam.
- The exam fee is $41.50.
- This only covers the exam and is not the licensing fee.
- You can only take the exam 1 time per appointment.
- If you need to retake it, you must make another appointment and pay the fee again.
- You must pass the exam with a score of 70% or better.
- The exam has multiple-choice and true/false.
- Results provided immediately.
- Presented as test section rations (for example: 3/10 correct).
License Renewal Requirements
Private applicator licenses expire every 3 years on your birthdate. The renewal fee is $75. In order to renew your license, you must either:
- Obtain all required continuing education credits (CECs) PRIOR to your license expiring and submit your renewal before the expiration date. All renewals must be made online.
- OR retest and resubmit an application (start the certification process over again).
You MUST have already passed the Private Applicator exam OR have earned all the required renewal credits BEFORE your expiration date. There is no grace period for obtaining CECs.
If you have any questions please contact the CDA at (303) 869-9064.
License Renewal Through Continuing Education Credits (CECs)
If you choose to renew through CECs, you must obtain credits the following credits in each of these in 6 different categories:
- 2 credits in the subject area of applicable State, Federal, and Local Laws and Regulations
- 1 credit in the subject area of Pesticides and Their Families
- 1 credit in the subject area of Applicator Safety
- 1 credit in the subject area of Public Safety
- 1 credit in the subject area of Environmental Protection
- 1 credit in the subject area of Use of Pesticides
If you have any fumigation or aerial categories, you must obtain CECs in those categories in addition to the 7 credits above.
License Renewal After Expiration Date
If you have earned ALL your CECs and submit your renewal after the expiration date, you are subject to a late fee:
- Renewing within 30 days after license expired, you’re subject to a $7.50 late fee.
- Renewing within 180 days after license expired, you’re subject to a $20 late fee.
- Renewing beyond 180 days after license is expired is NOT allowed and you must retake the exam.
If you have not earned all the required CECs, retake the exam and apply for a new license.
Testing Sites
The following locations will soon be available for hosting Private Applicator exams:
Garfield County Cooperative Extension
1001 Railroad ave.
Fairgrounds Events Hall
Rifle, CO 80487
Pueblo County Cooperative Extension
701 Court st, C
Puebly, CO 81003
Routt County Cooperative Extension
136 6th St. Suite 101
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Commercial Applicators
If you are not a private applicator, then your work falls under one of three applicator entities. An applicator entity can be comprised of multiple individuals or just one individual:
- Commercial applicator: E ngaged in applying pesticides for hire
- Limited commercial applicator*: E ngaged in applying pesticides on business property owned or leased by the applicator or the applicator’s employer.
- Public applicator*: E ngaged in applying pesticides on public or government property by applicators employed by that public entity.
*Limited commercial applicators and public applicators entities that apply RUPs must be registered with the State.
You, as an individual, will need one a Qualified Supervisor or Certified Operator license, if you:
- W ork for a commercial applicator;
- Intend to start a commercial applicator business; OR
- Work for a limited commercial applicator or public applicator applying RUPs .
Qualified Supervisors (QS) and Certified Operators (CO) Licensing Process
License Types
Qualified Supervisor (QS): If you will evaluate pest problems, sell or recommend pest control measures, or supervise others in the application of pesticides then you must obtain this license. Please note that to obtain this license you must have the required expierence. The experience requirements depends on the pest management categories you are applying for.
Certified Operator (CO): If you have little experience applying pesticides and will not be recommending or selling pest control measures, this is the license you should obtain. You will have to work under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.
Taking the Exam
- First, you must pass the General Core exam AND pass at least one pest management licensure category. Copies of the General Study Guide and category exam guides can be found on the Study Guide section of the CEPEP website. Additionally, our program has created an online pesticide applicator training that will prepare you for the exam and beyond.
- If you are applying for a QS, then you must also obtain relevant pesticide application field experience before licensing.
- An individual may take a QS exam without meeting the experience requirement but will only be licensed as a CO until the experience is earned and documented with CDA. At that time, the license will be upgraded to a QS without additional retesting.
- Both CO and QS must be familiar with the Colorado Pesticide Applicator’s Act and the associated Rules and Regulations before taking the exam. Hard copies of these regulations come with the General Study Guide if you choose to purchase it.
- To take the exam, you must register on the Metro Institute online testing website and follow the instructions carefully to complete the exam application and schedule a proctored test.
- There is an examination fee of $41.50 per test for this portion of the licensing process. After you have completed and passed your exam with a 70% or more, you must submit your application to obtain a license (note: the application begins at the bottom of the page). The application fee is $100.
Note: If you need the Category 111: Research and Demonstration endorsement you must take the General Core exam and a pest management category exam in addition to the Category 111 exam. Your pest management category must align with the research you intend to do (e.g. pesticide management for agricultural insects = Category 111 and Category 101: Agricultural Insect Control).
Success in Taking Your Exam
Remember these things to sign up, prepare for, and succeed on test day:
- You MUST schedule online at least 2 days prior to taking the exam.
- The exam fee is $41.50.
- This only covers the exam and is not the licensing fee.
- You can only take the exam 1 time per appointment.
- If you need to retake it, you must make another appointment and pay the fee again.
- You must pass the exam with a score of 70% or better.
- The exam has multiple-choice and true/false.
- Results provided immediately.
- Presented as test section rations (for example: 3/10 correct).
QS and CO License Renewal
CO and QS licenses expire 3 years from the licensee’s birthdate. The renewal fee is $100. You must submit your renewal before the expiration date. All renewals must be done online. In order to renew your license, you must either:
- Earn the required continuing education credits; or
- Re-take the exam and apply for a new license within 30 days after the expiration date.
- Learn more about re-certification.
License Renewal Through Continuing Education Credits (CECs)
If you choose to renew through CECs, you must obtain 1 or 2 credits in each of 6 different categories:
- 2 credits in the subject area of applicable State, Federal, and Local Laws and Regulations
- 1 credit in the subject area of Pesticides and Their Families
- 1 credit in the subject area of Applicator Safety
- 1 credit in the subject area of Public Safety
- 1 credit in the subject area of Environmental Protection
- 1 credit in the subject area of Use of Pesticides
- 1 credit for each licensed category in the subject area of Pest Management (except for Turf Pest Control, Ornamental Pest Control, & Residential/Commercial Pest Control which requires 2 credits)
These CECs must be obtained before your license expires on your birthday. If you fail to obtain the required CECs in your licensure category, you must retest to renew your license. There is no grace period for obtaining CECs.
License Renewal After Expiration Date
If you have earned ALL your CECs and submit your renewal after the expiration date, you are subject to a late fee:
- Renewing within 30 days after license expired, you’re subject to a $7.50 late fee.
- Renewing within 180 days after license expired, you’re subject to a $20 late fee.
- Renewing beyond 180 days after license is expired is NOT allowed and you must retake the exam.
If you have not earned all the required CECs, retake the exam and apply for a new license.
