The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) issues different pesticide applicator and business license types. Changes in applicator licenses are common. Licensed applicators may, when necessary add a category, change addresses, change employers, change license types and acquire multiple licenses.
Changes in Applicator Licenses
1. ADDING A CATEGORY
Determine if the category you are adding falls under the same license type that you already have. NOTE: Structural license can only add fumigation endorsements all other categories will fall under a commercial license and require the applicator to apply as new for that license type if they do not already hold a commercial license.
Licensed Commercial and Noncommercial Pesticide Applicators adding a category to their license must complete a Duplicate Pesticide Applicator License/Certification form and pay the duplicate license fee indicated for the license type.
Example: A licensed pesticide applicator certified in Categories A & E adds Category L to the license.
2. LOST LICENSE CARD
Most applicators are required to carry the license card while applying pesticides, either the electronic facsimile from our webpage or the plastic wallet card. If the plastic wallet card becomes lost or stolen, and a duplicate card is desired, complete a Duplicate Pesticide Applicator License/Certification form, and pay the duplicate license fee indicated for the license type.
Example: A licensed pesticide applicator lost billfold and needs a duplicate license card.
3. CHANGE OF EMPLOYER
Applicators must notify the MDA when they change employers. The license becomes invalid when an applicator changes employer during a calendar year. The applicator must obtain a new license of the same type in the new employer’s name. Test scores and/or recertification workshop attendance remains credited to the applicator regardless of employer
If the applicator has RENEWED for the current year
- Contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us to obtain an application for Change in License Type or Employer - Pesticide Applicator form and pay the fee indicated on the form for the appropriate license type.
If an applicator has NOT RENEWED the license for the current year
- Make changes on the renewal form sent in the mail at the end of the year.
- Submit the corrected renewal form with renewal fee.
- To request a duplicate renewal form contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us.
Example: A licensed commercial pesticide applicator leaves one lawn care company to work for a different lawn care company as a commercial pesticide applicator.
Example: A licensed noncommercial pesticide applicator who was working at a golf course quits and goes to work at another golf course as a noncommercial pesticide applicator.
Example: A licensed noncommercial pesticide applicator who was working for the City of Blaine quits and goes to work for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
4. CHANGE IN LICENSE TYPE
An applicator with one license type may choose to change to a different license type with the same employer or a new employer (i.e. commercial to noncommercial or noncommercial to commercial). The applicator must obtain a new license. Test scores and/or recertification workshop attendance remains credited to the applicator regardless of employer.
- Contact pesticide.licensing@state.mn.us to request a renewal form indicate any changes you are making to the license; i.e. employer or license type as this may affect the corresponding fees for renewal.
Example: A licensed noncommercial pesticide applicator quits working for the City of St. Paul and starts working for ABC Lawn Service as a commercial pesticide applicator.
Example: A licensed commercial pesticide applicator quits working at XYZ Lawn Service and starts working for a private golf course as a noncommercial pesticide applicator.
5. TWO or MORE LICENSES
Licensed Commercial, Noncommercial, and Structural Pesticide Applicators acquiring multiple active licenses simultaneously must complete a New Pesticide Applicator License form for each additional license desired and pay the appropriate fee and surcharge as indicated. Additional categories for a new license will require a passing exam score.
Example: A licensed noncommercial pesticide applicator works for a county park and also applies for a lawn care business must have a commercial pesticide applicator license.
