Pesticide Applicators

Applicator Certification is issued by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) Pesticide and Fertilizer Program. To qualify for certification, a pesticide applicator must show adequate knowledge of the type of pesticide application that they intend to perform. Through education and testing, certified applicators using pesticides are knowledgeable and qualified. The Kansas Pesticide Statutues and Regulations set forth the rules for certification and training.

Private Applicator

A Certified private applicator may use restricted use pesticides (RUP) according to label instructions on property owned or rented by the applicator or their employer for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity. Application must be without compensation other than the trading of services between producers of agricultural commodities, on property owned or rented by another producer of an agricultural commodity.

Applicants must pass the general examination to become certified. Renewal must be completed every five (5) years to retain private applicator certification.

Visit our Private Applicator page to view testing opportunities available from K-State Research and Extension.

Commercial Applicator

A Certified commercial applicator may use or supervise the use of a restricted use pesticides (RUP) according to label instructions on any property for compensation. Applicants must pass the General examination and a category or subcategory examination to become certified.

Renewal must be completed every three (3) years to retain commercial applicator certification. Visit our Commercial Applicator page to view educational opportunities for certification renewal from K-State Research and Extension.

Chemigation

Chemigation is the process of applying pesticides, fertilizers, or effluent by blending fresh water through an irrigation system. In Kansas, chemigation is regulated by the Kansas Chemigation Safety Law and Regulations.

Applicants must pass the Certified Chemigation Equipment Operator (CEO) Examination to become certified. CEO certification is valid for five (5) years, expiring December 31 of the fourth calendar year after the year of issue. Visit the KDA’s Chemigation webpage for more information on chemigation.

Tests and answer sheets are available at your local Extension office.

Pesticide Business

The Kansas Pesticide Law requires any business to become licensed to advertise, offer for sale, sell or perform any service for the control of a pest on the property of another or apply a pesticide to the property of another within this state; or to perform any service for the control of a pest or apply any pesticide on or at the premises of another person under any commission, division of receipts or subcontracting arrangement with a licensed pesticide business.

Steps to Starting a Pesticide Business

Visit the KDA’s Pesticide Business webpage for more information.

Pesticide Amnesty Program
The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has grant funds to dispose of old pesticides. If you have any old product that you have been wanting to get rid of, now would be a great time! The grant allows for the chemicals to be picked up and disposed of, free of charge. Anyone interested will need to contact KDA's Pesticide and Fertilizer Program, at (785) 564-6688 to get the forms and approval.

Recycling Pesticide Containers
Proper disposal and recycling of used pesticide containers is an area in which all pesticide dealers and applicators should pay close attention to. For more information associated with recycling pesticide containers, visit the Ag Container Recycling Council website.

Pesticide Misuse
If you suspect that a pesticide has been misused (including herbicide drift), please visit the Kansas Department of Agriculture Pesticide and Fertilizer Program Pesticide Complaint Form.