A private pesticide applicator is someone who uses or supervises the use of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce an agricultural commodity on:

• Personally owned property;
• Rented property;
• Property owned by his or her employer;
• Property under his or her general control; or
• The property of another person if applied without compensation, other than the trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities.

An agricultural commodity is a plant or animal grown for sale, lease, barter, feed or human consumption and animals raised for farm or ranch work. No license is required to apply general-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities.

Application Process:

Complete step-by-step procedures to obtain a private pesticide applicator license.

Paper Form Application

CLICK HERE to download the PA-400P Application Form for a Private Pesticide Applicator License.  Fee payment must be submitted with a check or money order made out to “Texas Department of Agriculture.”

Note: The Private Applicator Application is not available online and must be mailed to:

Texas Department of Agriculture
PO Box 12076
Austin, TX 78711

Testing Procedures:

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has contracted with PSI Services (PSI) to administer exams for agricultural pesticide applicator licensing. Applicators must first take the Texas Private Applicator Training Course, then apply to TDA, pay the required license fee, and receive their eligibility letter with unique TDA Account Number before they will be able to sign up for the Private Applicator Exam.

Recertification Requirements

Licensed private applicators are required to recertify every five years by obtaining 15 continuing education credits, including two (2) credits in laws and regulations and two (2) credits in integrated pest management (IPM), prior to expiration of the license. Click HERE for more information.

Recertification Exam

Private applicators may earn the required credits by passing the Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Exam that includes questions on information covered in continuing education courses. If an applicator passes the exam, a certificate of completion for 15 CEUs will be issued. The exam costs $64 per attempt and is administered at a PSI Testing Center. To become eligible to take the Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Exam, please complete the PA-403: Application for Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Exam and email to: Pesticides@TexasAgriculture.gov or send through postal mail to:

Texas Department of Agriculture
Attention: Pesticide Program
PO Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711.

Change of Information

The Texas Administrative Code (4 TAC §7.20) requires all licensees to notify the department within 30 days of any change in the information provided as part of the application for a license. Licensees must submit a change of information form that is signed. You can scan the signed form and email it to License.Inquiry@TexasAgriculture.gov, fax to 800-909-8534, or mail it to:

Texas Department of Agriculture
Attention: Licensing Division
PO Box 12847
Austin, TX 78711. 

This will ensure you receive licensing information from TDA.