Plant Industries
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Agriculture / Plant Industries / Pesticide Section / Licensing & Permits / Firm Commercial Applicator License
Firm Commercial Applicator License
Important Notice:
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is in the process of going paperless and updating the licensing database. This may cause delays in the licensing process. To ensure your application is processed in a timely manner be sure to provide ALL required information. If you have questions or need immediate assistance, please contact the Pesticide Section at 501-225-1598.
The following steps are required to obtain a Firm Commercial Applicator License, Custom Applicator Permit, and Tree Injector Permit.
Who qualifies for a Commercial Applicator’s License?
This information is for individuals or companies applying pesticides for hire in the following categories:
- Agricultural Plants
- Agricultural Animals
- Aquatic Pest Control
- Forest Pest Control
- Right of Way Pest Control
- Wood Treatment
Note: If you are a structural, household, and turf & ornamental (lawn care) applicator, please refer to the Regulatory Section.
Firm Commercial Applicator
Required Documents:
- Firm Commercial Application Form DP-29
- Proof of Financial Responsibility (can be provided in 1 of 4 ways):
- Insurance Form DP-44-min. requirement of $100,000, deductible must not exceed 5,000
- Surety Bond
- Letter of Credit
- Escrow Account
- Power of Attorney Form (only required if the company is located out of state or if POA has changed from the previous year)
- Proof of Financial Responsibility (can be provided in 1 of 4 ways):
- Individual Commercial Applicator Application Form DP-30 for each applicator requiring a license. The Individual Commercial Applicators must be indicated on Form DP-29.
- A Custom Permit DP-32 and/or Tree Injector Permit DP-35 is required in addition to a Firm License to apply class E or F pesticides for hire. See below for more information.
First Timers:
A Firm Commercial Applicator Application Form DP-29 must be completed and submitted to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section with the required fees and associated documents to be eligible for a license.
Renewals:
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section will email a renewal notice in November of each year to all currently licensed Firm’s.
To apply online, go to the Pesticide Section Forms Website and follow the instructions on how to complete and submit the DP-29, DP-30, and/or DP-32, DP-35 with the appropriate fees.
To ensure the application is processed in a timely manner be sure to provide ALL required information on the application form DP-29 and associated documents. Incomplete applications will result in delays of the licensing process or a refund of the application fee.
A license will be issued and emailed to you once the application review process is complete. The equipment decal(s) issued to the Firm Commercial Applicator License will be mailed.
Important Information:
- The license will expire December 31st of each year.
- Each piece of application equipment must display a commercial applicator decal before applying pesticides. Also, aircraft must display a commercial applicator decal before applying seed, fertilizer, or pesticides.
- Proof of financial responsibility is required to be current.
- A Power of Attorney is required if the company is located out of state.
- The license number issued will be permanently assigned. The active license information can be viewed at this link: License Search & Verification.
Custom Permit (required for 2,4-D Application)
A Custom Permit is required for licensed Commercial Applicator Firms who apply any pesticides classified as “E” or “F” under the Arkansas Regulations on Pesticide Classification for hire.
Note: Each individual applicator (air or ground) who applies pesticides classified as “E” or “F” under the Arkansas Regulations on Pesticide Classification must have taken and passed the Custom Applicator Exam.
Requirements:
- One must first obtain a Commercial Firm License before a Custom Permit can be issued.
- A Custom Permit is required to have a certified and licensed Operator-In-Charge. This person must have passed the Custom Exam and be indicated on the Form DP-32.
- Complete and submit a Custom Permit Form DP-32 with the appropriate fees.
- An advance deposit of $250.00 is required with initial application process.
- Each piece of application equipment must display a custom applicator decal before applying pesticides classified as “E” or “F” under the Arkansas Regulations on Pesticide Classification.
First Timers:
A Custom Permit Form DP-32 must be completed and submitted to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section with the required fees and advance deposit to be eligible for a permit.
Renewals:
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section will email a renewal notice in November of each year to all currently licensed Firms.
To apply online, go to the Pesticide Section Forms Website and follow the instructions on how to complete and submit the DP-32 with the appropriate fees and advance deposit. Important: A Custom Permit won’t be issued without an advance deposit on file.
To ensure the application is processed in a timely manner be sure to provide ALL required information on the application form DP-32 and associated documents. Incomplete applications will result in delays of the permit process or a refund of the application fee.
A permit will be issued and emailed to you once the application review process is complete. The equipment decal(s) issued to the Custom Permit will be mailed.
Important Information:
- The Custom Permit will expire December 31st of each year.
- The permit number issued will be permanently assigned. The information can be viewed at this link: License Search & Verification.
Please use the two links below for a complete Custom Study Kit:
Tree Injector Permit (2,4-D Application)
A Tree Injector Permit is required for licensed Commercial Applicator Firms who make tree injection and apply any pesticides classified as “E” or “F” under the Arkansas Regulations on Pesticide Classification for hire.
Note: Each individual applicator who does tree injection work and applies pesticides classified as “E” or “F” under the Arkansas Regulations on Pesticide Classification must have taken and passed the Tree Injector Exam.
Requirements:
- One must obtain a Commercial Firm License before a Tree Injector Permit can be issued.
- Complete and submit a Firm’s Tree Injector Applicator Permit Form DP-35 with the appropriate fees.
- A Tree Injector Applicator Firm is required to have a certified and licensed Operator-In-Charge. This person must have passed the Tree Injector Exam and be indicated on the application form DP-35.
- An advanced deposit of $10.00 per tree injector, up to maximum of $250.00, is required with initial application process
First Timers:
A Tree Injector Application Form DP-35 must be completed and submitted to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section with the required fees and advance deposit to be eligible for a permit.
Renewals:
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section will email a renewal notice in October or November of each year to all currently licensed applicators.
To apply online, go to the Pesticide Section Forms Website and follow the instructions on how to complete and submit the DP-35 with the appropriate fees and advance deposit. Important: A Tree Injector Permit won’t be issued without an advance deposit on file.
To ensure the application is processed in a timely manner be sure to provide ALL required information on the application form DP-35 and associated documents. Incomplete applications will result in delays of the permit process or a refund of the application fee.
A permit will be issued and emailed to you once the application review process is completed. The equipment decal(s) issued to your Tree Injector Permit will be mailed.
Important Information:
- The permit will expire December 31st of each year.
- The permit number issued will be permanently assigned. The license information can be viewed at this link: License Search & Verification.
Please use the two links below for a complete Custom Study Kit:
If you have any questions please contact the Pesticide Section at (501) 225-1598 or [email protected]
To apply online, go to the Pesticide Section Forms Website and follow the instructions on how to complete and submit the DP-35 with the appropriate fees and advance deposit. Important: A Tree Injector Permit won’t be issued without an advance deposit on file.
To ensure the application is processed in a timely manner be sure to provide ALL required information on the application form DP-35 and associated documents. Incomplete applications will result in delays of the permit process or a refund of the application fee.
A permit will be issued and emailed to you once the application review process is completed. The equipment decal(s) issued to your Tree Injector Permit will be mailed.
Important Information:
- The permit will expire December 31st of each year.
- The permit number issued will be permanently assigned. The license information can be viewed at this link: License Search & Verification.
Please use the two links below for a complete Custom Study Kit:
If you have any questions please contact the Pesticide Section at (501) 225-1598 or [email protected]