Private applicator licenses expire every 3 years on your birthdate. The renewal fee is $75. In order to renew your license, you must either:

• Obtain all required continuing education credits (CECs) PRIOR to your license expiring and submit your renewal before the expiration date. All renewals must be made online.
• OR retest and resubmit an application (start the certification process over again).

You MUST have already passed the Private Applicator exam OR have earned all the required renewal credits BEFORE your expiration date. There is no grace period for obtaining CECs.

If you have any questions please contact the CDA at (303) 869-9064.

Renew your license

License Renewal Through Continuing Education Credits (CECs)

If you choose to renew through CECs, you must obtain credits the following credits in each of these in 6 different categories:

• 2 credits in the subject area of applicable State, Federal, and Local Laws and Regulations
• 1 credit in the subject area of Pesticides and Their Families
• 1 credit in the subject area of Applicator Safety
• 1 credit in the subject area of Public Safety
• 1 credit in the subject area of Environmental Protection
• 1 credit in the subject area of Use of Pesticides

If you have any fumigation or aerial categories, you must obtain CECs in those categories in addition to the 7 credits above.

Find upcoming CEC workshops.

License Renewal After Expiration Date

If you have earned ALL your CECs and submit your renewal after the expiration date, you are subject to a late fee:

• Renewing within 30 days after license expired, you’re subject to a $7.50 late fee.
• Renewing within 180 days after license expired, you’re subject to a $20 late fee.
• Renewing beyond 180 days after license is expired is NOT allowed and you must retake the exam.

If you have not earned all the required CECs, retake the exam and apply for a new license.

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
Puebly, CO 81003

Routt County Cooperative Extension
136 6th St. Suite 101
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

CO and QS licenses expire 3 years from the licensee’s birthdate. The renewal fee is $100. You must submit your renewal before the expiration date. All renewals must be done online. In order to renew your license, you must either:

• Earn the required continuing education credits; or
• Re-take the exam and apply for a new license within 30 days after the expiration date.
• Learn more about re-certification.

License Renewal Through Continuing Education Credits (CECs)

If you choose to renew through CECs, you must obtain 1 or 2 credits in each of 6 different categories:

• 2 credits in the subject area of applicable State, Federal, and Local Laws and Regulations
• 1 credit in the subject area of Pesticides and Their Families
• 1 credit in the subject area of Applicator Safety
• 1 credit in the subject area of Public Safety
• 1 credit in the subject area of Environmental Protection
• 1 credit in the subject area of Use of Pesticides
• 1 credit for each licensed category in the subject area of Pest Management (except for Turf Pest Control, Ornamental Pest Control, & Residential/Commercial Pest Control which requires 2 credits)

These CECs must be obtained before your license expires on your birthday. If you fail to obtain the required CECs in your licensure category, you must retest to renew your license. There is no grace period for obtaining CECs.

Find upcoming CEC workshops.

License Renewal After Expiration Date

If you have earned ALL your CECs and submit your renewal after the expiration date, you are subject to a late fee:

• Renewing within 30 days after license expired, you’re subject to a $7.50 late fee.
• Renewing within 180 days after license expired, you’re subject to a $20 late fee.
• Renewing beyond 180 days after license is expired is NOT allowed and you must retake the exam.

If you have not earned all the required CECs, retake the exam and apply for a new license.

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

There are 3 types of pesticide application licenses for businesses:

• 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.

Apply for a Business License

If you hold a pesticide applicator’s license granted by another state or jurisdiction, you can become a licensed private applicator or certified operator without passing any examinations by obtaining what is called a reciprocal license. To obtain this license, you must:

• 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.

Apply for Reciprocal License

For more information on reciprocal licensure, contact CDA at (303) 869-9065 or by email.