Applicator Licensing and Testing
Licenses are required for safe and effective use of pesticides. The certification and licensing program protects the environment and public from the adverse effects of unsafe and incorrect use. We have outlined the licensing process below, visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture website for more information.
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Private Applicators
Pesticide Technicians
Trained individuals who apply pesticides under the supervision of a licensed applicator, often assisting with routine treatments in residential, commercial, or agricultural settings.
Commercial Applicators
Non-Registered Limited Commercial & Public Applicators
CSU Pesticide Applicator Training
Our program has developed an online course to prepare you for the general licensing exam. Through our comprehensive training, participants will learn the essential aspects of pest management strategies, pesticide properties, environmental and public safety, applicator safety, and relevant laws and regulations for Colorado applicators.
Private Applicators
According to CDA, a Private Applicator is a person who uses or supervises the use of a restricted-use pesticide (RUP) for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned or leased by the applicator or the applicator’s employer or, if the pesticide is applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on the property of another person must be a licensed private applicator.
Private applicators do not apply pesticides in exchange for compensation, but only to produce a commodity. If you are hired to apply pesticides in agricultural settings in exchange for payment then you are a commercial applicator, which we will cover later.
Private Applicator Licensing Process
- To be approved for a Private Applicator License, you must first take the general private applicator exam (Category 401). In preparation for this proctored exam, the CDA, in collaboration with our program, has provided a study guide. Additionally, we have developed an online pesticide applicator training that will prepare you for the exam and beyond.
- You will also be required to read and understand the Colorado Pesticide Applicator’s Act and the associated Rules and Regulations prior to taking the exam or applying pesticides.
- To take the exam, you must register on the Metro Institute online testing website and follow the instructions carefully to complete the exam application and schedule a proctored test.
- There is an examination fee of $41.50 per test for this portion of the licensing process.
- After you have completed and passed your exam with a 70% or more, you must submit your application for a Private Applicator License (note: the application begins at the bottom of the page). The application fee is $75.
- In some cases you will need to take additional exams. For private applicators using any fumigants, you will need to take a fumigation test (e.g., Category 303: Structural Fumigation, Category 309A: Soil Fumigation, or Category 309B: Non-Soil fumigation), and if you are making any pesticide applications with aerial equipment, you will need to take the aerial exam, Category 114. These tests can also be scheduled through your account at the Metro Institute.
Success in Taking Your Exam
- You MUST schedule online at least 2 days prior to taking the exam.
- The exam fee is $41.50.
- This only covers the exam and is not the licensing fee.
- You can only take the exam 1 time per appointment.
- If you need to retake it, you must make another appointment and pay the fee again.
- You must pass the exam with a score of 70% or better.
- The exam has multiple-choice and true/false.
- Results provided immediately.
- Presented as test section rations (for example: 3/10 correct).
| Bring With You: | DO NOT Bring With You: |
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Testing Sites
| Testing Location | Business Hours |
|---|---|
| Broomfield CDA Office 305 Interlocken Pkwy Broomfield, CO 80021 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Broomfield Huntington Learning Center 5127 W 120th Ave Broomfield, CO 80020 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sunday: closed |
| Burlington CSU Extension Office 817 15th St Burlington, CO 80807 | Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Center SLV Research Center 0249 East Rd 9 North Center, CO 81125 | Monday: closed Tuesday: closed Wednesday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Thursday: closed Friday: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Cortez CSU Extension Office 103 N Chestnut Cortez, CO 81321 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Fort Collins Huntington Learning Center 140 E Boardwalk Dr, Suite P Fort Collins, CO 80525 | Monday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Tuesday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Thursday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Fort Collins Front Range Community College 4616 S Shields FRCC LC Testing Center MA 532 Fort Collins, CO 80526 | Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Sunday: closed |
| Grand Junction CSU Extension Office 2775 Highway 50 Grand Junction, CO 81502 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Lamar CSU Extension Office 1001 S Main St Lamar, CO 81052 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Lone Tree Sylvan Learning 9552 Park Meadows Dr, Suite 300 Lone Tree, CO 80124 | Monday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Tuesday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Wednesday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Thursday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Sterling CSU Extension Office 508 S 10th Ave, Suite 1 Sterling, CO 80751 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: closed Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
The following locations will soon be available for hosting Private Applicator exams:
Garfield County Cooperative Extension
1001 Railroad ave.
Fairgrounds Events Hall
Rifle, CO 80487
Pueblo County Cooperative Extension
701 Court st, C
Pueblo, CO 81003
Routt County Cooperative Extension
136 6th St. Suite 101
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Commercial Applicators
If you are not a private applicator, then your work falls under one of three applicator entities. An applicator entity can be comprised of multiple individuals or just one individual:
- Commercial applicator: Engaged in applying pesticides for hire
- Limited commercial applicator*: Engaged in applying pesticides on business property owned or leased by the applicator or the applicator’s employer.
- Public applicator*: Engaged in applying pesticides on public or government property by applicators employed by that public entity.
*Limited commercial applicators and public applicators entities that apply RUPs must be registered with the State.
You, as an individual, will need one a Qualified Supervisor or Certified Operator license, if you:
- Work for a commercial applicator;
- Intend to start a commercial applicator business; OR
- Work for a limited commercial applicator or public applicator applying RUPs.
Qualified Supervisors (QS) and Certified Operators (CO) Licensing Types
License Types
Qualified Supervisor (QS): If you will evaluate pest problems, sell or recommend pest control measures, or supervise others in the application of pesticides then you must obtain this license. Please note that to obtain this license you must have the required experience. The experience requirements depends on the pest management categories you are applying for.
Certified Operator (CO): If you have little experience applying pesticides and will not be recommending or selling pest control measures, this is the license you should obtain. You will have to work under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.
QS and CO Licensing Process
Taking the Exam
- First, you must pass the General Core exam AND pass at least one pest management licensure category. Copies of the General Study Guide and category exam guides can be found on the Study Guide section of the CEPEP website. Additionally, our program has created an online pesticide applicator training that will prepare you for the exam and beyond.
- If you are applying for a QS, then you must also obtain relevant pesticide application field experience before licensing.
- An individual may take a QS exam without meeting the experience requirement but will only be licensed as a CO until the experience is earned and documented with CDA. At that time, the license will be upgraded to a QS without additional retesting.
- Both CO and QS must be familiar with the Colorado Pesticide Applicator’s Act and the associated Rules and Regulations before taking the exam. Hard copies of these regulations come with the General Study Guide if you choose to purchase it.
- To take the exam, you must register on the Metro Institute online testing website and follow the instructions carefully to complete the exam application and schedule a proctored test.
- There is an examination fee of $41.50 per test for this portion of the licensing process. After you have completed and passed your exam with a 70% or more, you must submit your application to obtain a license (note: the application begins at the bottom of the page). The application fee is $100.
Note: If you need the Category 111: Research and Demonstration endorsement you must take the General Core exam and a pest management category exam in addition to the Category 111 exam. Your pest management category must align with the research you intend to do (e.g. pesticide management for agricultural insects = Category 111 and Category 101: Agricultural Insect Control).
Success in Taking Your QS or CO Exam
- You MUST schedule online at least 2 days prior to taking the exam.
- The exam fee is $41.50.
- This only covers the exam and is not the licensing fee.
- You can only take the exam 1 time per appointment.
- If you need to retake it, you must make another appointment and pay the fee again.
- You must pass the exam with a score of 70% or better.
- The exam has multiple-choice and true/false.
- Results provided immediately.
- Presented as test section rations (for example: 3/10 correct).
| Bring With You: | DO NOT Bring With You: |
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QS/CO Testing Sites
| Testing Location | Business Hours |
|---|---|
| Broomfield CDA Office 305 Interlocken Pkwy Broomfield, CO 80021 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Broomfield Huntington Learning Center 5127 W 120th Ave Broomfield, CO 80020 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sunday: closed |
| Burlington CSU Extension Office 817 15th St Burlington, CO 80807 | Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Center SLV Research Center 0249 East Rd 9 North Center, CO 81125 | Monday: closed Tuesday: closed Wednesday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Thursday: closed Friday: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Cortez CSU Extension Office 103 N Chestnut Cortez, CO 81321 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Fort Collins Huntington Learning Center 140 E Boardwalk Dr, Suite P Fort Collins, CO 80525 | Monday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Tuesday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Thursday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Fort Collins Front Range Community College 4616 S Shields FRCC LC Testing Center MA 532 Fort Collins, CO 80526 | Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Sunday: closed |
| Grand Junction CSU Extension Office 2775 Highway 50 Grand Junction, CO 81502 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Lamar CSU Extension Office 1001 S Main St Lamar, CO 81052 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Lone Tree Sylvan Learning 9552 Park Meadows Dr, Suite 300 Lone Tree, CO 80124 | Monday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Tuesday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Wednesday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Thursday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Friday: closed Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
| Sterling CSU Extension Office 508 S 10th Ave, Suite 1 Sterling, CO 80751 | Monday: closed Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday: closed Thursday: closed Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
The following locations will soon be available for hosting exams:
Garfield County Cooperative Extension
1001 Railroad ave.
Fairgrounds Events Hall
Rifle, CO 80487
Pueblo County Cooperative Extension
701 Court st, C
Pueblo, CO 81003
Routt County Cooperative Extension
136 6th St. Suite 101
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Commercial, Limited Commercial, and Public Entities: Licensing and Registration
- Commercial Business License: Engages in applying general use or restricted use pesticides in exchange for monetary compensation.
- Must submit an annual $350 license fee with the application.
- Requires proof of insurance which can be done by completing this Certificate of Evidence of Insurance.
- Must complete the Commercial Business License Application and submit it the CDA.
- Limited Commercial: Engages in applying pesticides to property owned or leased by the employer.
- Public: Engages in applying pesticides as an agency of the state, any county, city, or municipality or any other local government entity.
Limited Commerical and Public Applicators:
- Both Limited Commercial and Public Applicators must register with the state in the case of any application of restricted use pesticides.
- If you are only applying general use pesticides, you do not need to register, but you may do so voluntarily. Though your applicators do not need a QS or CO license, they must still have training in the core elements of pesticide use which can be fulfilled through the completion of the Colorado Basic Pesticide Safety Training.
- To register, you must complete the Registration Form and pay the $50 annual registration fee.
All Licensed or Registered Businesses (Commerical, Limited Commerical, or Pubic Applicators):
- Must employ at least one Qualified Supervisor
- If you application is a corporation, a limited liability partnership, or a limited liability company, then you must submit a Certificate of Good Standing.
- All aerial applicators must also provide a copy of certification issued by the FAA.
For more information about business licenses, contact CDA at 303-869-9000 or by email.
Reciprocal License
- Provide proof of current certification and licensure in good standing from the other jurisdiction.
- Pay an application fee.
This reciprocal license will expire when your current license in the other jurisdiction expires, at which point you must either renew your license in the other jurisdiction and renew your reciprocal application OR complete the Colorado licensure process.
For more information on reciprocal licensure, contact CDA at (303) 869-9065 or by email.
Technician Training
A technician is a person without a license and under the supervision of a qualified supervisor, whose job involves pesticides. There are specific training requirements dependent on which class of technician you are. The CDA defines three classes of technicians:
- Applicator Technician: Any technician whose job includes the use of pesticides.
- Sales Technician: A technician who sells pesticide application services.
- Sales Technician / Applicator Technician: Sells pesticide application services AND handles pesticides.
Experienced technicians are technicians who have met CDA experience requirements within the last three years. These requirements include six months of experience for applicator technicians doing structural applications, one season of experience for applicator technicians doing agricultural, turf, or ornamental applications, and one season of sales experience for sales technicians.
- New Hire Experienced Technician: Experienced, but is a new employee.
- On-going Experienced Technician: Experienced and continues to work for the same entity.
Colorado Core Pesticide Training for
Non-Registered Limited Commercial and Public Applicators
This training fulfills the core pesticide safety training as described in the Pesticide Applicators’ Act Section 35-10-109 (2)(a) and (2)(b) of the Colorado Revised Statues for individuals working under a limited commercial or public applicator entity who mix, load, and apply general use products (GUPs) ONLY and who are not otherwise licensed. If any individual intends to use restricted use pesticides they must obtain a Certified Operator (CO) or Qualified Supervisor (QS) license. Information about this and how to sign up for a free training can be found in the below sections.
Anyone intending to apply pesticides to produce an agricultural commodity under the supervision of a private applicator must have Handler Training in accordance with the federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS). For more information on training requirements under WPS go to the Pesticide Resources website.
If you are training to be a technician under the supervision of a QS then please review the Commercial Applicator Technician Training requirements.
Why must I take this training?
Non-Registered Limited Commercial and Public applicators who have employees applying pesticides to property they own or lease are required by law to ensure their employees have core pesticide safety training. This course fulfills the training requirement elements (as outlined in Part 16 of the Pesticide Applicators’ Act Rules) for limited commercial and public applicators who are not a registered business entity with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Training must be provided within three years PRIOR to the date of any application and the employer must maintain records of that training for three years.
More information on this requirement can be found in the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Pesticide Applicators’ Act, Part 16.
This training program can also be used to fulfill 2.5 hours of Technician Training (as required in Part 5 of 8 CCR 1203-2, “Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Pesticide Applicators’ Act).
What is in the training?
- Pesticide use (IPM and Laws Governing the Use of Pesticides)
- Understanding Pesticide Labels and Safety Data Sheets
- Applicator Safety
- Pesticide Application
- and Environmental Protection and Public Health.
At the conclusion of each module, an “Understanding the Module” quiz will be given. All questions on the quiz must be answered correctly or the participant will be redirected to the information concerning the incorrect response. Upon successful completion of all five modules, a certificate will be issued. This certificate must be retained by the employer for a period of three years.
Instructions on Accessing the Training
- Register for the Course. Requires Chrome or Firefox browsers.
- Select “Create new account” below the Login box.
- Follow directions to create a new account.
- After creating an account, simply return to the Extension Campus and login.
- Select the “Pest Management” tab and scroll down to the “Colorado Basic Pesticide Training,” or click here to directly access the training. It can be difficult to find in the list due to many states offering courses!
There is NO FEE required for this training!