How to Get Your Commercial or Noncommercial Pesticide License
Wish to receive initial training?
This is on-line enrollment for those wishing to get their license for the first time. Initial training sessions are offered from February through April in various cities throughout the state. Nebraska Department of Agriculture certification exams are also given on these dates and are based on UNL Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) study materials and sample pesticide labels. These initial training sessions are intended to be a review of the key points from the study materials, not intensive instruction.
Schedule of Certification Opportunities
This Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) Schedule can be viewed here. Initial license certification sessions are offered for most categories from February through April in various cities throughout the state.
Purchase Study Materials
This is on-line purchasing of Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) study materials using a credit card. It is recommended that applicators study these manuals so they are more likely to pass the certification exams. Remember to purchase the General Standards manual plus any other category(s) manual you will need. At the on-line site, the manuals are list alphabetically. The manuals ordered with the letters "PDF" after the name of the manual means you will be able to download it to view onscreen. It is not recommended that you print these manuals since they are very large files. The manuals ordered without the "PDF" after the name of the manual will be mailed to you by UPS.
Want to take the certification test for your license?
Visit the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) website for a list of testing dates/sites in Nebraska. The NDA prepares, administers, and grades the pesticide certification examinations.
List of commercial/noncommercial categories
If you are seeking a Commercial or Non-commercial License for the first time, you must take and pass a General Standards exam and at least one category exam. The category(s) you need varies depending on the application site, pesticide application method, and targeting pest. The Agriculture Pest Control-Plant category (01), for example, is for those people who are applying pesticides to protect agricultural commodities from pest infestations.
When will you receive your license?
After NDA grades the exams, they inform applicators of the results, typically within 10 working days. If exams are passed, NDA mails a billing postcard to applicators concerning the $90 state license fee for commercial applicators (no license fee for noncommercial applicators). If one or more of the exams are not passed, NDA will send a letter informing you of this. Upon the receipt of the commercial license fee, NDA mails the pesticide license (noncommercial applicators receive their license immediately after passing the exams). If you do not receive a mailing about your exams after two weeks past your exam date, you can call NDA toll-free at 877-800-4080 or 402-471-2394.
Pesticide Label Exercise
Understand the details of the pesticide label, a supplement for pesticide applicators.
Jeopardy Label Game
Improve your understanding and knowledge of pesticide labels by using this fun approach to learning.
How to Recertify your Commercial or Noncommercial License
Already have a valid license and wish to Recertify?
This is the on-line enrollment for recertification sessions for those whose license expires on April 15. These sessions are offered for most categories in February and March in various cities throughout the state. You will receive a mailing prior to these recertification sessions if you live at the same address as three years prior (when you got your license or recertified previously). It is a good idea to call NDA if you move to another address in order to receive this mailing. If you need to recertify in a category that no recertification sessions are available (or if you miss the sessions or your license has already expired), you will need to take the General Standards exam and category exam(s). Visit the NDA website for a list of "Walk-in Testing Only" sessions in Nebraska at: www.agr.ne.gov/pesticide/applicator_testing.html
Schedule of Recertification Opportunities
This Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) Schedule will be mailed to those whose license is expiring (if the Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture has your current address), but can be viewed online here. For those whose license expires on April 15, recertification sessions are offered for most categories in February and March in various cities throughout the state.
My Current Pesticide License Status
Check to see if you are listed in the applicators database at the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) website or contact them at 402-471-2394 or 877-800-4080 (toll-free).
Pesticide Applicator Resources
UNL Crop Production Clinic Presentations
2012 Crop Production Clinic Presentations that were viewed by those applicators who have received their initial or renewed their Agricultural Pest Control - Plant category commercial pesticide license in 2012.
Search for Certified Pesticide Applicators in Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture database - search by last name, certified applicator number, or city, county, or zip code
Search for Licensed Dealers in Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture database - search by dealer name, dealer license number, or dealer city or zip code
Search for Registered Pesticides in Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture databases of registered pesticides
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture Pesticide Program
The Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture Pesticide Program is responsible for regulating the distribution, storage, and use of all pesticides in the state of Nebraska.
Reciprocal Certification with Nebraska
Persons who live outside of Nebraska may obtain a license from NDA if they hold valid credentials from a state, agency, or tribe that NDA has a reciprocal agreement with.
Pesticide Laws Publications
These NebGuides offer information on pesticide safety to include Nebraska pesticide container and secondary containment rules, understanding pesticide labels, laws and regulations, and worker protection standards.
Pesticide Container and Containment Rule
EPA is required to provide information on regulations for procedures and standards for container design and the removal of pesticides from containers and custom blenders to comply with the requirements of this rule.
Private Applicator Recordkeeping Requirements
Private applicators must record their restricted use pesticide (RUP) applications. In Nebraska, RUP records must be maintained for three years from the date of application. The certified pesticide applicator should retain these RUP records. Two examples of how the records can be organized: portrait and landscape.
Worker Protection Standard Information
EPA’s Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS) is a regulation aimed at reducing the risk of pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: How to Comply Web site provides links to information for employers to comply with the WPS, and the full PDF version of the manual can be downloaded. The Worker Protection Standard Facts Sheets Web site offers a series of fact sheets that provide easy-to-understand explanations of many compliance-related subjects.
