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 an Individual Commercial or Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License in the following categories:

• Agricultural Plants
• Agricultural Animals
• Aquatic Pest Control
• Demonstration and Research
• Forest Pest Control
• Public Health Pest Control
• Right of Way Pest Control
• Wood Treatment

Who qualifies for an Individual Commercial Applicator License?
Applicators who apply pesticides for hire for any purpose or on property other than that specified for defining private applicators.  This includes aerial and ground applicators.

What is a Custom Applicator? An applicator who applies any pesticides classified as “E” or “F” under the Arkansas Regulations on Pesticide Classification for hire. For example, application of any product containing 2,4-D. This applicator must have passed the state specific Custom Exam (air or ground) and the company or firm must obtain a Custom Permit.

Who qualifies for a Non-Commercial Applicator License?
Applicators who use restricted use pesticides for their employer and do not apply pesticides on a for hire basis.  They do not qualify as a Private Applicator nor require a Commercial Applicator License.  Examples: city employees, researchers, Extension Agents, chemical company representative, etc.

Note:  If you are a structural, household, and turf & ornamental (lawn care) applicator, please refer to the Regulatory Section.

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Step 1 – Initial Certification:

Passing the Basic Core exam and a category specific exam(s) are required to be certified in the category of application. Each category and the custom applicator authorization require an additional exam.st take and pass the Basic Core Exam and the category specific exams required for the type license you need.

• Training is not required before taking the exams, but it is available and recommended.
• Study kits are provided by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture website.
• The Pesticide Safety Education Specialist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture conducts training sessions each year for individuals preparing to take the exams. These meetings are usually conducted in March. 
• Contact the Pesticide Safety Education Specialist at (501) 671-2234 if you need further information regarding in person training.
• Online Training and Study Kit link: First-time pesticide application training | Arkansas pesticide application training (uada.edu)

Note:  County Extension Agents do not provide the training for Individual Commercial and Non-Commercial Applicators.

Testing Information and Exam Dates:

• Contact the Agriculture Program Manager in charge of Certification & Licensing at (501) 225-1598 or [email protected] or [email protected].
• Examinations are given twice a month at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Offices located in Little Rock.  Preregistration is required, please complete and submit the online Preregistration Form For Testing

Additional Training requirements:

• Arkansas Training and Certification Program for Non-Crop Use of Dicamba Herbicides

Any applicator planning to apply dicamba to non-dicamba crops, pasture, and rangeland, or for burndown use will need to first complete the online training provided by the Cooperative Extension Services.  Even if applicators have held this certificate in prior seasons, annual renewal is required by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.  

• Arkansas Training and Certification Program for Enlist One and Enlist Duo Herbicides

Any applicator planning to apply Enlist formulations to labeled crops will need to first complete the online Enlist training provided by the Cooperative Extension Services.  Even if applicators have held this certificate in prior seasons, annual renewal is required by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.  

• Crop Use of New Dicamba Herbicide Formulations In-Person Training

Any applicator planning to apply new Dicamba formulations (Engenia, Fexapan, Tavium, or Xtendimax) before May 26^th & in-crop will need to first complete an in-person company training.  Applicators can attend any company dicamba training regardless of which new formulation they intend on applying.  Even if applicators have held this certificate in prior seasons, annual renewal is required by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

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Step 2 – Licensing:

To obtain an Individual Commercial or Non-Commercial Applicator License provided by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section:

First Timers:  The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section will email a notification letter once you have passed the required exams.  An Individual Commercial Applicator Application Form DP-30 or Non-Commercial Applicator Application Form DP-27 must be completed and submitted to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section with the required fee(s) 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 applicators.

To apply online, go to the Pesticide Section Forms Website and follow the instructions on how to complete and submit the DP-27 or DP-30 with the appropriate fees.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section will process your application for a license.  To ensure your application is processed in a timely manner be sure to provide ALL required information on the application form.  Incomplete applications will result in delays of the licensing process or refund of the application fee.

A license will be issued and emailed to you once the application review process is complete.  

Important Information Regarding Licensing:

• The license will expire December 31^st of each year.
• An Individual Commercial Applicator is required to be employed by a licensed Firm.
• A Non-Commercial Applicator is required to be employed by a company or government agency who applies restricted use pesticides.       
• The issued license number will be permanently assigned.  The active license information can be viewed at this link: License Search & Verification.

Step 3 – Recertification and License Renewal:
Recertification Training is required once every three years to maintain your certification and be eligible for licensing.

Recertification Training Information:

• Visit the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture website for online recertification training:

Pesticide Application Training | Arkansas pesticide application training (uada.edu)

• Contact the Pesticide Safety Education Specialist at (501) 671-2234 if you need further information regarding in person training.

Please note the “Additional Training Requirements” regarding Dicamba, Enlist One, and Enlist Duo Herbicides, listed in Step 1 – Initial Certification of this page, are required on an annual basis.

The Pesticide Section will email a renewal notice in November of each year to all currently licensed applicators.

If you have any questions, please contact the Pesticide Section at (501) 225-1598 or [email protected] or [email protected].gov.