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Do I need a license to apply or sell
pesticides in New Jersey?
You may, depending on the circumstances. Refer to 2, 3, 4,
or 5 below to see if you fit into one of the required categories.
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Do I need a Commercial Pesticide Applicator
license?
Most people who apply pesticides as part of their job
or on a for hire basis need to be licensed as a Commercial
Pesticide Applicator. A license to apply pesticides is required
under the above circumstances, whether the pesticide can be
obtained from the local garden center or a licensed pesticide
dealer. Examples are exterminators, landscapers, tree sprayers,
or pet groomers. These people all need to have a Commercial
Pesticide Applicator license along with a Pesticide Applicator
Business license. School maintenance people and apartment
building superintendents who apply pesticides are other examples
of people who need a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license,
although they do not need an Applicator Business license since
they are not in business to apply pesticides.
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Do I need a Private Pesticide Applicator
license?
A Private Pesticide Applicator license is needed if
any pesticides are being applied for the purpose of raising
an agricultural commodity, including organic farmers. Examples
are crops such as corn, fruit, flowers, greenhouse plants,
Christmas trees, or animals such as livestock. Private Pesticide
Applicators usually are farmers or their employees. Companies
that are hired by the farmer to apply pesticides must have
a Commercial Pesticide Applicator and an Applicator Business
license.
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Do I need a Pesticide Operator license?
If a person wants to apply pesticides as part of his/her job
or on a for-hire basis without becoming a Commercial Certified
Pesticide Applicator, he/she may become licensed as a Pesticide
Operator. However, the Pesticide Operator must work under
the direct supervision of a Commercial Pesticide Applicator.
The Commercial Pesticide Applicator does not have to be present
for a Pesticide Operator to apply most pesticides.
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Do I need a Pesticide Dealer license?
Anyone who sells restricted-use pesticides to people
who will use them must be a Certified Pesticide Dealer and
work for a company that is licensed as a Pesticide Dealer
Business.
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How do I get licensed?
In most cases Commercial Pesticide Applicators must fulfill
the training requirements (see 7:30-6.2) prior to applying
for the exams. After completing the required training the
applicant must take and pass a minimum of two exams, a Core
exam & a category exam. (To be licensed in Categories 10 -
Demonstration & Research, or Category 11- Aerial, you must
pass Core and one additional category exam). Private Pesticide
Applicators and Certified Pesticide Dealers take one exam.
It costs $10 to take each exam. The Commercial Pesticide
Applicator and Certified Pesticide Dealer's licenses expire
on October 31 of each calander year. The Private Pesticide
Applicator's license is valid for five years. New Jersey also
accepts reciprocal certification from other states which allows
the person to use his/her out-of-state certification to get
a NJ license. A waiver for users of the sterilant ethylene
oxide (EtO) is available (see quetion 8.)
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What is the process to get licensed?
Fulfill the required training (see regulations 7:30-6.2).
Obtain the exam package by calling the PCP Test Sign-up at
609-984-6614 or by downloading it from this site. The package
includes the exam application form, dates and locations where
the exams are given, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension locations
and phone numbers where study manuals can be purchased, and
the PCP phone numbers to call if you have any questions.
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How do I get a reciprocal or EtO exam
waiver?
Call the PCP and request the reciprocal or EtO Waiver
package. This will include all needed information and forms
and a take-at-home exam on the NJ Pesticide Control regulations.
There is a $10 fee for this exam.
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Where do I get the study manuals?
At the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office in your County.
A study manual and Rutgers Cooperative Extension list is included
with each exam package. The PCP does not supply the study
manuals.
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How much do the study manuals cost?
Anywhere from $10 to $30, depending on the manual requested.
Manuals are printed and sold only by the Rutgers Cooperative
Extension.
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How many exams can I take on one exam
date?
You may take up to 3 exams on any one exam date. This
includes any combination of exams.
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Can I use the study manual during the
exam?
Core, Dealer, Private and Categories 3A, 3B, 3C and 7A
exams are closed book exams. All other Category exams are
open book. The NJ Pesticide Control Regulations are used for
the reciprocal and EtO waiver exams.
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What happens after I take the exams?
You will receive a pass/fail postcard approximately 2
weeks after taking the exams. If you pass all the required
exams, an invoice for the license will be sent to you in approximately
3-4 weeks.
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I lost my invoice (bill) or license.
How do I get a new one?
Call the PCP at 609-984-6601 and request a duplicate invoice
or license. There is no charge for a duplicate invoice or
license.
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What are the license fees?
Commercial Pesticide Applicator - $75/year
Private Pesticide Applicator - No fee. The license is valid
for 5 years.
Certified Pesticide Dealer - $75/year
Pesticide Operator - $30/year
Pesticide Applicator Business - $150/year
Pesticide Dealer Business - $150/year
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What is the difference between a Commercial
Pesticide Applicator and a Pesticide Operator?
A pesticide applicator must be certified by fulfilling the
training requirements and passing the necessary exams. A pesticide
operator must undergo the required training (see 7:30-5.2)
and must become licensed, but is not required to take exams.
A licensed pesticide operator may apply pesticides only under
the direct supervision of a Commercial Pesticide Applicator.
The pesticide applicator does not have to be physically present
for a licensed pesticide operator to apply pesticides (in
most cases). Both pesticide applicators and pesticide operators
must be licensed.
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Do I need an Applicator Business or Dealer
Business license?
Anyone who operates a business that applies pesticides as
a service must be licensed as a Pesticide Applicator Business.
Any business selling restricted-use pesticides to an end-user
must be licensed as a Pesticide Dealer Business.
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How do I maintain my license?
Private and Commercial Pesticide Applicators maintain
their license by attending continuing education (recertification)
courses and accumulating units of recertification credit.
Each unit is based on 30 minutes of instruction time. The
required number of recertification units (8 in Core & 16 in
each category) must be accumulated during the five-year recertification
period established once an exam is passed. Applicators may
also retake their certification exams within five years for
recertification. There currently is no recertification requirement
for Certified Pesticide Dealers. Pesticide Operators shall
renew their license annually with the invoice provided by
the Department.
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How many recertification units do I need
to maintain my pesticide applicator certification?
An applicator requires 8 units in Core and 16 units in
each category over the exam's five year recertification period.
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How is the recertification period determined?
The recertification period starts on the November 1st after
you pass an exam and lasts until October 31st five years later.
Each exam has its own 5-year recertification period.
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How many recertification units do I currently
have?
Refer to your most recent license renewal document. Your recertification
status is indicated in the document. Private Pesticide Applicators
will be sent a Recertification Update notice once a year during
their five-year license period (which corresponds to their
five-year recertification period).
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Why didn't I receive a renewal of my
license?
There may be several reasons for this:
a. For Private and Commercial Pesticide Applicators: The applicator
did not accumulate enough recertification units within the
five-year recertification period, in one or more of the certification
areas.
b. The license has not been renewed for two consecutive years.
c. A change of address was not been reported to the PCP.
d. Pesticide Operators, Applicator Businesses, and Dealer
Businesses will not receive a renewal if the responsible pesticide
applicator or dealer associated with the license becomes ineligible
as a result of a, b or c above.
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What recertification courses are available?
Refer to the recertification
course
list.
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How do I get recertification course information?
By joining an association that represents your industry, by
contacting the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office in your
area and by checking the recertification course list on this
web page.
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When do I get an update on my recertification
status?
With each annual renewal for Commercial Pesticide Applicators
and at least once a year for Private Pesticide Applicators
(private applicators have a five year license).
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Do pesticide products need to be registered
in New Jersey?
All pesticide products that are held, sold, used or offered
for sale in New Jersey need to be registered with the PCP.
There is a $250 annual registration fee per product. See pesticide
product registration. Also see the list of restricted-use
pesticides for New Jersey.
