Pesticide Safety & Licensing

Pesticide Applicator Licensing

The goal of the Pesticide Applicator Licensing program is to certify private and commercial applicators to use pesticides.

To qualify for certification, a pesticide applicator must show adequate knowledge of the type of pesticide application that he or she intends to perform. By educating, training, and testing people who apply certain pesticides, we are able to assure consumers that the person applying pesticides is knowledgeable and qualified. The law associated with this program is the Kansas Pesticide Law.

Commercial Pesticide Applicator

Applicants must pass the General examination and a category or subcategory examination to become certified (Commercial Applicator Certification Categories). Fees are $45 per examination. The General examination is also $45, as are examination retakes.

For the current pesticide commercial applicator examination schedule, go to the Pesticide Certification Exam Schedule. The first paragraph on the exam schedule lists where study manuals may be obtained from Kansas State University.

Renewal of a current certification category may be accomplished by examination or training (Commercial Applicator Recertification Information). The examination for renewal is the same as above. For the current schedule of recertification training go to Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Programs and Training.

Private Pesticide Applicator
A private pesticide applicator certification may only be used to apply or supervise the application of a restricted use pesticide product according to label directions for the purpose of:
- Producing an agricultural commodity
  - On property owned or rented by the private certified applicator or such person's employer; or
  - If applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on property owned or rented by another producer of an agricultural commodity.
Private certification may be obtained by passing an open book examination at a county extension office. Contact the county extension office in advance to ensure the office will be open and allow 2-3 hours to complete the examination. The county extension office will collect the $25 fee and mail the completed examination to KDA for grading and issuing the certification card. Private applicator certification expires on the individual’s birthday in the 5^th calendar year after it is issued.
Private Pesticide Applicator Manual
The private applicator study manual (Publication MF-531) is available Kansas State University by calling (785) 532-5830 or by ordering at the KSU Research and Extension Bookstore.
Renewal applications are mailed to the applicator’s home address. Please inform KDA of any address changes to make sure you receive your renewal material.

Frequently Asked Questions

2022 Kansas Paraquat Training Information | 2022 Kansas Dicamba Training Information |

2022 Kansas Paraquat Training Information
So do all paraquat dichloride product labels require the additional training?

All products featuring the new labeling with the active ingredient paraquat dichloride, such as Gramoxone, Firestorm, Helmquat and Parazone will require the additional training in order to apply these products. Remember if the new training requirement is listed on the label of the product you are using, then you MUST complete the training.

Who is required to take this training?

Any person who intends to use paraquat must be a certified applicator and is required to take this training.

How often am I required to receive the training?

The training is required every three years. Check to make sure your training is current!

Do I need to be certified to use products containing paraquat dichloride?

The newly labeled products state that “Product may ONLY be mixed, loaded or applied by a certified applicator who has successfully completed the paraquat-specific training before use. Application “under direct supervision” of a certified applicator is NO LONGER allowed. In the state of Kansas, this means that everyone purchasing and using these products has to either obtain a private applicator license (application to agricultural lands owned or operated by individual) or a commercial applicator license (applicators applying to other people’s land for compensation). If you have been applying under someone else’s license in the past you will need to get your own license before applying these products.

How can I complete the training requirements?

The only training that meets the requirements is housed on the eXtension website and can be found by going to: https://npsec.us/paraquat If

This information is made available by the K-State Pesticide Safety and IPM Program. Contact your local Extension Office if you need any additional information.

2022 Kansas Dicamba Training Information

Do all dicamba product labels require the additional training?

You are required to have additional label-required dicamba training when applying the restricted use dicamba products: Engenia, XtendiMax or Tavium with Vaporgrip.

Where can I get the training for 2022?

BASF: (webinars, online training and face to face) engeniaherbicide.com/training.html

Bayer/Monsanto: (online training and face-to-face) https://www.roundupreadyxtend.com/stewardship/Pages/default.aspx

Syngenta: https://www.syngenta-us.com/herbicides/tavium-application-stewardship

Do I need to attend training if I already did in 2020 or 2021?

The labels of these products state that prior to applying this product in the 2022 growing season, all applicators must complete dicamba or auxin-specific training on an annual basis, so even if you attended in 2020 or 2021 you will need to attend a training in 2022 prior to applying these products.

Do I need to be certified to use these products?

The new labels state that these formulations are for retail sale to and use only by certified applicators. In the state of Kansas, this means that everyone purchasing and using these products has to either obtain a private applicator license (application to agricultural lands owned or operated by individual) or a commercial applicator license (applicators applying to other people’s land for compensation). If you have been applying under someone else’s license in the past you will need to get your own license if you are applying these products.

My hired hand and I both hold private applicators licenses. He will be doing all my spraying. I am taking the dicamba training, but does he also have to take the dicamba training?

Yes, anyone who applies one of the RUP dicamba products must complete an approved dicamba training and hold either a private or commercial applicator license.

Do other states accept Kansas’s state-approved RUP dicamba training?

Oklahoma does not accept online or live webinar dicamba training provided by BASF. Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska will accept training offered by Bayer, BASF and Syngenta.

This information is made available by the K-State Pesticide Safety and IPM Program. Contact your local Extension Office if you need additional information.

K-State Research and Extension

Douglas County