Private Applicator — A licensed applicator who uses any restricted use pesticide (RUP) for purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him/her or his/her employer, or to apply on the property of another person without compensation (other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities).
Private applicator certification options are:
Private Applicator Recordkeeping Resources — A collection of forms and information to help private applicators track their farm operations, keep their employees safe, and comply with federal regulations.
My current pesticide license status — Check to see if you are listed in the applicator database operated by NDA, or contact NDA at 402-471-2351.
Search for registered pesticides in Nebraska — NDA database of pesticides registered for use in Nebraska.
Commercial Applicator — A licensed applicator who purchases or uses any restricted use pesticide (RUP) on a contractual or “for hire” basis. Commercial applicator shall also include any person using restricted or general use pesticides “for hire” or compensation for lawn care, structural pest control, or community-wide outdoor vector control.
Noncommercial Applicator — A licensed applicator who applies RUPs only on lands owned or controlled by his/her employer or for a governmental agency or subdivision of the state. Also, a licensed applicator who applies either general or restricted use pesticides to control mosquitoes on behalf of a political subdivision of the state.
**Every commercial/noncommercial applicator must certify and recertify in the General Standards (00) category.**
If you are seeking a commercial/noncommercial license for the first time, or if your license has expired, you must pass the NDA-administered General Standards exam, plus the exam for each applicator category you need.
If you wish to add an applicator category to your existing license, you must pass that category's exam.
Before attempting your certification exam(s), we strongly recommend that you prepare with our study manuals. These manuals are available for every applicator category (including General Standards) in two formats:
In-person training sessions: The in-person 2024 initial trainings have ended. These training sessions consist of video reviews of the study manual material, followed by exam opportunities.
If you plan to attend an initial training session, you will have the opportunity to take your exams at the session. Otherwise, you can attend a testing-only session or take your exams through Pearson VUE computerized testing service.
Exams are mailed to the NDA's offices for grading. During the months of February through April, please allow up to 3 weeks for results as NDA processes exams from across the state.
To check on the status of a pesticide applicator exam, please email agr.pesticide@nebraska.gov and include:
Once all exams are successfully completed, a billing statement for the license will be issued. An applicator is not considered licensed until all necessary exams are completed and the license fee has been collected and processed.
If your license expires on April 15, you must attend recertification training on or before April 15 to renew your license for another three years. The 2024 recertification period has ended.
The following options are offered for recertification training:
*If you need to recertify in a category for which no recertification sessions are available, you will need to retake the General Standards exam and category exam in order to recertify. Exams are not offered at recertification training sessions.
Check current pesticide license status — Are you listed in the applicator database operated by the Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture (NDA)? Check online or contact NDA at 402-471-2351.
Search for registered pesticides in Nebraska — NDA database of pesticides registered for use in Nebraska.
Chemigation is the practice of applying agrichemicals through an irrigation distribution system.
The Nebraska Chemigation Act requires those engaged in chemigation to be trained and certified. The chemigation certification program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).
My current chemigation certification status — Check to see if you are listed in the certified chemigator database operated by the NDEE, or contact NDEE at 402-471-2186.
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a set of federal regulations with the purpose of protecting agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from pesticide exposure. Agricultural employers must train their workers and handlers on WPS protections annually, using EPA-approved training materials. (Certified/licensed pesticide applicators are exempt from this training requirement.) Please note that worker training and handler training are different.
WPS trainers must be qualified. You can qualify to deliver WPS training by:
The WPS is complex. We strongly recommend reading the How to Comply Manual for full guidance on the WPS. For an overview of some of the major requirements, see the Nebraska publication, Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Establishments, EC3006.
RUP dicamba label-required training
Dicamba-specific training is required prior to purchasing or applying the products Engenia®, XtendiMax® With VaporGrip Technology, and Tavium® Plus VaporGrip Technology. This training is provided by the products' registrants. For more information about RUP dicamba training, label requirements, best management practices, and recordkeeping forms, please visit the Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture's dicamba information page.
Paraquat label-required training
Applicators need to be aware that an active ingredient-specific training requirement now appears on all paraquat product labels. Licensed applicators must pass a paraquat-specific training program in order to purchase or use (mix, load, apply, etc.) the product. An EPA-approved paraquat training program is available in both English and Spanish.
EPA is also requiring:
Reciprocal Certification with Nebraska
Persons who live outside of Nebraska may obtain a license from NDA if they hold valid credentials from a state, agency, or tribe with which NDA has a reciprocal agreement.
Applicator Certification Plan in Indian Country
EPA certifies Private and Commercial applicators to legally apply restricted use pesticides in Indian Country.
Math for Pesticide Applicators New
It's never a bad time to brush up on your applicator math, especially if you're preparing for an applicator exam. These resources are meant to help.