APPLYING PESTICIDES BY DRONES / UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAV) 

IN TEXAS

If an applicator is making a restricted-use pesticide, state-limited-use pesticide, or regulated herbicide application by drone, a pesticide applicator license is required by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) with additional requirements you must follow from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

If a drone application is made in the 3A-Landscape Maintenance category, a license is required regardless of the pesticide classification. You can read more about applying pesticides to lawns, trees, and ornamentals HERE.

AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE APPLICATORS

Commercial/Noncommercial/ Noncommercial Political Applicators

Commercial/Noncommercial applicators who would like to apply pesticides by drone, must add the aerial category to their license in addition to any categories they plan to make applications in. For more information on obtaining a Commercial/Noncommercial/ Noncommercial Political Applicator License, click HERE.

For commercial, noncommercial, and noncommercial political applicators with the aerial category, three of the required five CEUs must be in Laws & Regulations, Drift minimization, and Human Safety Factors. For more information on CEU requirements, visit the CEU FAQ.

Private Applicators

Private applicators who would like to apply pesticides by drone, must add the aerial category to their license. For more information on obtaining a Private Pesticide Applicator License, click HERE.

STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL APPLICATORS

Please contact the TDA Structural Pest Control Service at (512) 463-3207 or spcs@TexasAgriculture.gov for more information about applying pesticides by drone under this license type.

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMNISTRATION (FAA) REQUIREMENTS

To apply pesticides by drones, you must follow all FAA requirements. These requirements may include pilot licensing, waivers, drone registration, insurance, and certifications. These requirements may vary depending on factors such as the size (weight) of the aircraft and your type of business. For further information, please visit: www.faa.gov/uas.

To apply pesticides by drone you will need to follow the appropriate label directions including:

• The product label must not prohibit aerial application or limit the application to only a specific type of aerial application or to ground only application.
• The drone application must be consistent with the application rate and concentrations required on the product label.
• The application must comply with all other use directions and safety and precautionary requirements.