Pesticide Certification

Private Applicator Certification

A private applicator is an applicator who applies restricted-use pesticides by ground application for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the applicator or the applicator’s employer.

Minimum age for all pesticide applicators is 18 years including those applying restricted-use pesticides. An exception is made for those of a minimum age of 16 years being supervised by a certified private applicator who is a member of their immediate family

There is an $80 fee for Private Applicator training must be done at the Extension office. Training can occur anytime throughout the year. Please complete the registration form link button below and call to setup an appointment time 615-790-5721.

Certification Period

Pesticide certification runs in a three-year cycle. No matter what date you complete your training, your certification will expire on June 30, 2026.

Recertification

Private applicator recertification involves receiving three (1 hour) continuing education classes prior to June 30, 2026. Private applicators can attend individual classes or wait until January 1, 2026 to attend a 3 hour session at the Extension office. You must complete the recertification process during this time frame to roll your certification into the new certification cycle which begins on July 1, 2026 and ends June 30, 2029. The cost is $30.

Record Keeping

Private applicators are required to keep records of restricted-use pesticide applications and, if workers and/or handlers are employed, these records must be maintained for two years. The following document may be used to maintain Federal record keeping requirements: Pesticide Application Record keeping Form, F 808​ and SP 363-H. Employers of workers and/or pesticide handlers may want to refer to Worker Protection Standard checklist, found here: WPS Requirements for Employers of Workers. At one time, USDA had a printed version of a record keeping manual, but now is only available for download at USDA’s website.

Points/CEU’s

Beginning July 1, 2023, private applicators are required to attend 3-hours of training to maintain their certification into the new 3-year certification cycle. If points/CEUs are not accrued, repeating the initial private applicator training and passing an exam would be required. This can be done all at one time during the recertification cycle or any point prior to June 30, 2026.

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