Commercial pesticide licensing

The State of Louisiana certifies and licenses two types of commercial pesticide application businesses:

Commercial Pesticide Certification covers pesticide application anywhere that isn't in or on a building or other structure
Structural Pest Control covers pesticide application to combat pests that live inside or within the structures of buildings

This section covers Commercial Pesticide Certification .

Your business must be licensed to apply pesticides, sell pesticides, or make pesticide recommendations. This at-a-glance comparison tells you what business licenses you will need. Additionally, employees who apply pesticides must obtain Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification .

What you want to do

Type of license needed

Apply pesticides by ground

Apply pesticides by aircraft

Sell federally or state restricted use pesticides

Make pesticide recommendations for a fee

You must register field scouts used for placing pest traps, monitoring pest activity, etc.

If you want to apply restricted use pesticides on land you own or lease to produce an agricultural product, you need Private Pesticide Applicator Certification .

Requirements to stay compliant

To stay in compliance, your business must:

Pay annual license fees
Employ at least one certified commercial pesticide applicator , RUP salesperson , or agricultural consultant ; $10 annual fee for agricultural consultant field scout
Register all mechanically-powered pesticide spray equipment (see equipment registration form ); $50 annual fee
Maintain and provide evidence of financial surety (Rules and Regulations Section 133)
Have liability insurance of a certain amount (see specific licenses for details)

Commercial pesticide applicators and private pesticide applicators must get recertified every three years and track pesticides used.

Updating your information

Once licensed, if your address or contact information changes, email pestcert@ldaf.state.la.us .

Licensed pesticide companies

Ground owner operator companies
List of licensed ground owner operator companies as of December 2023

Aerial owner operator companies
List of licensed pesticide aerial owner operator companies as of December 2023

Restricted use pesticide dealers
List of licensed restricted use pesticide dealers as of December 2023

Ag Consultants
List of licensed Agricultural Consultants as of December 2023

Structural pest control companies
List of licensed structural pest control companies as of August 2023

Licensing and registration

Ground Owner Operator Licensing

Commercial pesticide application companies that apply pesticide by ground are required to have a Ground Owner Operator License.

Download, fill out, and follow the guidelines on the application form.

$200 fee for Louisiana residents (those based in Louisiana for at least 90 days)
$500 fee for non-Louisiana residents
$50 equipment registration fee
Proof of liability insurance not less than $25,000
Description of all mechanically powered pesticide equipment

Aerial Owner Operator Licensing

Commercial pesticide application companies that apply pesticides by aircraft or by drone are required to have an Aerial Owner Operator License.

You can get a Phenoxy License if you apply phenoxy pesticides, or a Non-Phenoxy License if you apply non-phenoxy pesticides.

License requirements:

$200 fee for Louisiana residents (those based in Louisiana for at least 90 days)
$500 fee for non-Louisiana residents
$50 equipment registration fee
Proof of liability insurance not less than $50,000
Description of all mechanically powered pesticide equipment

Download, fill out, and follow the guidelines on the appropriate application form.

Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) Dealer Licensing

Companies that sell restricted use pesticides are required to have a RUP Dealer License. License fees:

$200 fee for Louisiana residents
$500 fee for non-Louisiana residents

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification

Anyone who applies pesticides must obtain a certification by passing the General Standards exam and at least one category exam. The General Standards exam covers training requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Louisiana Pesticide Laws and Regulations. Category exams cover the application of pesticides in specific settings.

If you are licensed in another state as a commercial pesticide applicator, you may apply for an exam waiver .

Prepare for the exams

Order the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual and category specific study guides from LSU AgCenter.
Study the manuals.
Answer the review questions at the end of each chapter.

Take the exams

Complete the application for pesticide exams
Pass the exams ( $50 exam fee, General Standards is free )

Stay compliant

$20 annual renewal for Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification card
$25 annual renewal for Government Employee Pesticide Applicator Certification card. (those employed by local, state, and federal government who apply pesticides as part of their job)
Attend an approved recertification meeting or retest every 3 years
Track pesticides applied using the record keeping form

Recertification opportunities

2024-2025 Commercial Recertification meetings
List of approved recertification conferences for Commercial Pesticide Applicators (CA), Agricultural Consultants (AC), and RUP Salespersons (SA) (Rev. 08/20/24)

The schedule above is tentative. Please check with each event's host for details and updates.

Private Pesticide Applicator Certification

Anyone who applies restricted use pesticides on land they own or lease to produce an agricultural product must obtain a Private Pesticide Applicator Certification.

Certification can be obtained two ways:

Complete the Private Pesticide Applicator Certification training at selected LSU AgCenter offices . Submit training certificate and card fee to LDAF.
Pass the Private Pesticide Applicator exam. The Private Pesticide Applicator exam covers training requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Louisiana Pesticide Laws and Regulations.

Prepare for the exam

Order the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual from LSU AgCenter.
Study the manual.
Answer the review questions at the end of each chapter.

Take the exam

Complete the application for pesticide exams .
Pass the exams ( $50 exam fee ).

Stay compliant

$25 every three years for Private Pesticide Applicator Certification card.
Attend an approved recertification meeting or retest every 3 years .
Track pesticides applied using the record keeping form .

RUP Salesperson Certification

Anyone who sells pesticides must obtain a certification by passing the RUP Salesperson exam. The RUP Salesperson exam covers training requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Louisiana Pesticide Laws and Regulations. Category exams cover the application of pesticides in specific settings.

Prepare for the exam

Order the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual from LSU AgCenter.
Study the manual.
Answer the review questions at the end of each chapter.

Take the exam

Complete the application for pesticide exams
Pass the exams ( $50 exam fee)

Stay compliant

$20 annual renewal for RUP Salesperson card.
Attend an approved recertification meeting or retest every 3 years .

Agricultural Consultant Licensing

About the license

Companies that make pesticide recommendations for a fee need an Agricultural Consultant License (Pesticide Law RS 3:3201-3389 Section 3246).

This license requires extensive qualifications , so please review the education and professional requirements on the application for commission approval to make sure you qualify.

Apply for approval

mail the application for commission approval with a notarized affidavit providing evidence of meeting education and experience requirements to:
- Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry 5825 Florida Blvd Suite 3003, Baton Rouge, LA, 70806.
If you receive notice of approval you will then be eligible to take the consultant exams.

Apply for testing and pay fees

Download and complete an application for testing
Mail the application for testing and corresponding fees to:
- Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry 5825 Florida Blvd Suite 1003, Baton Rouge, LA, 70806.
- Pay $50 fee for each exam you select.

About the exam

Agricultural Consultant certification exams are administered at LDAF District Offices Monday – Friday, (excluding holidays) by appointment only. Please contact your local district office for information
Agricultural Consultant certification exams contain varying amounts of multiple-choice questions (generally between 60 and 85).
Exam applicants must present a valid photo I.D. to take exams.
All subcategory exams cost $50.00 each.
A grade of 70% is required for successful completion of each exam; and, each specific category/subcategory exam.

After passing the exam

Complete the agricultural consultant card form provided to you by LDAF.
Pay the $20 card fee.
If opening a new agricultural consultant business, mail the initial application for an agricultural consultant business license with corresponding fees.

Stay compliant

$20 annual renewal for Agricultural Consultant card.
Annual business renewal for Agricultural Consultant business license, including registration of field scouts ($10 registration fee per scout).
Attend an approved recertification meeting or retest every 3 years .
See the list of agricultural consultant companies .