How To Schedule SPCS Licensing Exams

To schedule for either the technician license exams or the certified applicator license exams, your eligibility must first be approved by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).  Use the following steps if you are interested in taking the licensing exams.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All examinees with PSI require government issued picture ID and the name on the ID must match the name on the application submitted to the department in order to be able to test.

Technician Exams:

1. Not yet registered as an apprentice:
You must be registered as an apprentice with a licensed business to be eligible to take the technician exam and you must have completed the apprentice training and the approved technician training course.  If you have not registered as an apprentice (or if your registration has expired, or you have changed employers), complete and submit the apprentice registration form found here, or apply online by clicking here.  Once you have registered as an apprentice you will need to have completed the training outlined in section 7.132 of the SPCS regulations (found here).  Upon completion of this training, follow the next step.

2. Currently registered as an apprentice:
To have your eligibility to take the technician exam determined, complete and submit the SPT-420 SPCS Technician Exam Application form found here.  ***Please Note*** No fees need to be included with this application; PSI will collect the fees for the examinations.  Include with your submission a photocopy of your Technician Training Course Certificate of completion.  These can be mailed in, faxed (1-800-909-8534) or emailed (eligibility@texasagriculture.gov).  Once processed, you will be sent correspondence by mail from TDA either requesting further information or advising you of your eligibility and giving you instructions on scheduling the exams.

3. Currently licensed as a Technician wishing to add a category:
Beginning with exams taken on January 1, 2024 or after, all licensed technicians must first complete forty (40) hours on-the-job and eight (8) classroom training (documented on VTR) prior to taking the exam. If you are currently licensed as a Technician and are seeking to add a category, prior to scheduling the exam, you must submit a completed SPT-415 and submit to Eligibility@TexasAgriculture.gov. You will receive an auto-response from the email box but no further follow-up. You may schedule the exam after submitting the SPT-415 form. PSI can be reached at their website, www.psiexams.com or 1-855-807-3998. If a SPT-415 form has not been submitted and filed before testing and the department receives passing exam scores, the Technician will be sent a pending letter to submit the Verifiable Training Record to have the license issued.

Certified Applicator Exams

To take the certified applicator exams you will need to submit the "Application for Certified Applicator Exam and License form found here or by applying online (here). ***Please Note*** No EXAM FEES need to be included with this application; PSI will collect the fees for the examinations. However, the $125.00 licensing fee will be due, unless paid on a previous application. Once processed, you will be sent correspondence by mail from TDA either requesting further information or advising you of your eligibility and giving you instructions on scheduling the exams. 

As a reminder, all applicants for Certified Applicator are required to take the General Exam (noted as TX General Certified Applicator on PSI exams website) as well as one category and pass with 70% or more correct to become licensed. Category exams taken at the Technician level do not transfer to the Certified Applicator and must be taken at the Certified Applicator level.

Currently licensed as a Certified Applicator wishing to add a category:
If you are currently licensed as a Certified Applicator and are either currently working for a business or your license is “Inactive” you may contact PSI to schedule an exam.  Your unique ID number will be your Certified Applicator license number (be sure to include the leading zero).  PSI can be reached at their website, www.psiexams.com or 1-855-807-3998. See the PSI Bulletin for help creating your PSI online account.