Private, commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification will have several options from which to choose in 2026. Whether you prefer to learn directly from local experts or from the comfort of your own home, Nebraska Extension has you covered.
Who Needs a Pesticide Applicator License?
In Nebraska, you need a pesticide applicator license if you:
- Apply restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) for any purpose;
- Apply any pesticides (regardless of use classification) commercially for lawn/ornamental plant care or structural pest control; or
- Apply any pesticides for outdoor vector control on behalf of a state or local government agency.
Not sure if you need an applicator license? Not sure what type you need? Try this online questionnaire, or contact the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) Office.
Not sure if your license expires in 2026? Look up your license status.
Private Applicators
Private applicators, who apply pesticides to property they own or rent for agricultural purposes, can certify for the first time or recertify by:
- Attending a face-to-face private applicator training session hosted by their local extension educator;
- Attending a Crop Production Clinic hosted by Nebraska Extension;
- Completing the online private applicator self-study program (a Spanish-language version is also available); or
- Passing a private applicator exam.
Limitations of a Private Applicator License
A standard private applicator license does not cover the use of RUP fumigants. To add a fumigation endorsement to your private license, you must pass the corresponding commercial/non-commercial category exam (category 01A for soil fumigants, category 11 for structural and rodent-burrow fumigants).
To renew a fumigation endorsement on your private license, you can attend a commercial/non-commercial recertification session (category 11 only), complete an extra module in the online training (category 11 only), or retake your exam (category 01A or 11). There is no additional training fee.
Please contact the PSEP Office for more information.
You cannot make applications of RUPs from aircraft or drones with a private applicator license. To perform these applications, you must acquire a commercial or non-commercial applicator license with a category 12 endorsement (see below).
Commercial and Non-commercial Applicators
A commercial applicator license is required for:
- Applying RUPs on a contractual or “for hire” basis, and
- Applying any pesticides on a contractual or “for hire” basis for lawn/ornamental plant care or structural pest control.
A non-commercial applicator license is required for:
- Applying RUPs solely on property owned or controlled by one’s employer,
- Applying RUPs on behalf a governmental agency, and
- Applying any pesticides for outdoor vector control (e.g., mosquito fogging) on behalf of a government agency.
Initial Certification (Commercial/Non-commercial)
Those seeking first-time (initial) certification as a commercial or non-commercial applicator must pass at least two exams: one covering general information that applies to all applicators (“General Standards”), and one covering the specific category of pest control in which they plan to work. Exam-taking opportunities are numerous.
We strongly encourage you to study before attempting your exams. You can purchase study manuals through the UNL Marketplace.
Face-to-face initial training sessions serve as reviews of the study manuals and include exam-taking opportunities. If you choose to attend one of these sessions, be sure to select one that offers the categories you need. We strongly encourage you to pre-register online for these sessions.
Walk-in, exam-only sessions will also be scheduled. A third option for taking applicator exams is through Pearson VUE computerized testing service, which charges $55 per exam.
Recertification (Commercial/Non-commercial)
Those seeking to recertify as a commercial or non-commercial applicator may do so by:
- Attending a face-to-face recertification training session hosted by Nebraska Extension;
- Completing the online commercial/non-commercial recertification training program;
- Attending a different extension- or industry-sponsored conference that offers recertification credit; or
- Retaking and passing their applicator exams.
If you plan to attend a face-to-face recertification training session hosted by Nebraska Extension, we strongly encourage you to pre-register for the session online. Be sure to select a recertification option that offers the categories you need. Categories 01A, 02, 03, 05S, 06, 12, REG, and D/R are not available at the face-to-face recertification sessions or in the online program. (Recertification training may be available for some of these categories through other extension- or industry-sponsored conferences.)
If you need to recertify in a category for which no recertification training is available, you will need to retake and pass the category’s exam AND either:
- Attend the General Standards (morning) portion of a recertification session;
- Complete the General Standards portion of the online training program; or
- Retake and pass the General Standards (category 00) exam.
Visit our commercial/non-commercial applicator training page for full details, applicator category descriptions, training schedules, and preregistration links. Contact the PSEP Office for more information.
Interested in using drones for pesticide applications? Learn how from Nebraska Extension.
What Happens After My Training and/or Exams?
After completing the certification or recertification process, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) will mail private and commercial applicators a postcard requesting payment of their licensing fee. The licensing fee is $25 for private applicators and $90 for commercial applicators. Once you have paid the fee (online or by mail), the NDA will mail your license.
Non-commercial applicators do not pay a licensing fee. Once a non-commercial applicator has completed the (re)certification process, the NDA will mail the license.
All applicator licenses are valid for three years and must be renewed prior to the expiration date printed on them.
Since there are many exams to grade during the early part of the year, please allow the NDA up to three weeks to process your exam results. To check on the status of an exam, please email NDA and include:
- Your full name
- Your date of birth
- The date you took the exam
- The location where you took the exam
If you have any questions about becoming certified to apply pesticides, please contact the PSEP Office, 402-472-1632.
