A person may not purchase or use a restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticide or regulated herbicides unless the person is:
•    licensed as a commercial,  noncommercial or  noncommercial political subdivsiion applicator in the use categories covering the proposed pesticide use; or
•    an individual acting under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator.

License Types
•     A commercial applicator operates a business or is an employee of a business that applies restricted-use and state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to the land of another for hire or compensation.
•    A noncommercial applicator is a person required to license who does not qualify as a commercial applicator.
•    A noncommercial political subdivision (NCPS) applicator is employed by a political subdivision of the state of Texas or of a federal agency operating in Texas.

A person may not purchase or use a restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticide or regulated herbicides unless the person is:
•    licensed as a commercial,  noncommercial or  noncommercial political subdivsion applicator in the use categories covering the proposed pesticide use; or
•    an individual acting under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator.

For more information on commercial, noncommercial or noncommercial political licenses


General Supervision Requirements
•    A licensed applicator may supervise the application of restricted-use and state-limited-use pesticides and regulated herbicides if the label does not prohibit such action.
•    The licensed commercial, noncommercial or NCPS applicator and the person under the direct supervision of the licensed commercial or noncommercial applicator must both work at the same local office unless the licensee is physically present during the application.
•    If there is a discrepancy in supervision requirements, the greatest degree of supervision shall apply.
•    A licensed applicator may not supervise an applicator whose license is under suspension or revocation.
•    The licensed applicator does not need to be physically present during the application.
•    The licensed applicator is responsible for the actions of the applicators under his/her supervision.

Training Requirements for Employees of Political Subdivisions
Annually and prior to making the first application, a  unlicensed employee must be trained in the specific use of  the pesticide applied.  The training requirements may be satisfied by either:
a)    the unlicensed employee obtaining 5 CEUs in accordance with the continuing education required for commercial and noncommercial applicators, or
b)    the unlicensed employee is trained on the appropriate laws and regulations pertaining to pesticide use, the label information for the use of all pesticides that are applied and pesticide safety training.

A record of training received or CEUs obtained by the unlicensed employee must be maintained for two years and made available to the department for inspection upon request.  The record may be either a certificate of completion of training or CEUs obtained or on a form prescribed by the department.