Certified Private Applicators

Certified Private Applicators are defined by the Missouri Pesticide Use Act as any individual who is certified by the director as authorized to use, or to supervise the use of, any pesticide which is classified for restricted use for purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the applicator or their employer or on the property of another person, if used without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on the property of another person.

The Missouri Pesticide Use Act defines agricultural commodity as: Any plant or part, animal or animal product produced or being produced by a person primarily for sale, consumption, propagation or other use by man or animals. (Producers of an agricultural commodity include farmers, ranchers, vineyardists, plant propagators, Christmas tree growers, aquaculturalists, floriculturalists, orchardists, foresters, sod producers, or other comparable persons).

To obtain a Certified Private Applicator license, the applicant must complete the Certified Private Applicator Training Program provided by the University of Missouri Extension Office. Training programs are offered throughout the year in local County Extension offices. For training dates and times, contact your local County Extension office. Access the University of Missouri Extension web page for the location of your county office.

Once the training has been completed, the applicant will complete a Private Applicator Certification Training Verification Form. The form will be signed by the instructor and mailed to our office (no license fee is charged). Upon receipt of the verification form a Certified Private Applicator License will be issued to the applicant.

Certified Private Applicator licenses expire five (5) years from the issue date. To check your expiration date or license number, go to Pesticide Applicator and Dealer Information. To renew the license and certification, the Certified Private Applicator must complete the recertification training provided at the local County Extension office. Access the University of Missouri Extension web page for the location of your county office.

For further information contact the Pesticide Program.