Any Private Pesticide Applicator in Minnesota using Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP) with an aerial application (fixed wing, rotor, or drone) in an on-farm operation must be a currently certified private pesticide applicator that is 18 years of age or older and also obtain General Aerial Endorsement for Private Pesticide Applicator Certification. A list of certified private pesticide applicators can be found in the MDA’s online database.
Aerial applications require applicators to comply with specified safety practices and required personal protective equipment. Applicators must follow all state and federal laws for aerial application.
Applicator certification
When a Private Pesticide Applicator Certification expires a person must retest or attend a recertification workshop and pay fees to renew.
Receiving endorsement
General Aerial: To receive a private General Aerial Endorsement, you must pass a closed book test administered by an MDA approved testing partner. This endorsement expires along with the date of your Private Pesticide Applicator certification, regardless of when the endorsement is acquired.
Re-endorsement: A person can recertify for an endorsement by retesting. General Aerial re-endorsement is the same as the initial endorsement. Re-endorsement may also be acquired by General Aerial Workshops. There is a $5.00 charge to reprint identification cards with new dates of endorsement.
Things to know
Before applying aerially, you must read and follow all label instructions. Aerial applicators need additional certification. See the link below for additional information.
Drones - Aeronautics and Aviation | Minnesota Department of Transportation
PRIVATE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION - GENERAL AERIAL ENDORSEMENT FAQ’S
The General Aerial endorsement is available for those that currently hold a Private Applicator Certification. To add the General Aerial endorsement, complete the Duplicate Applicator License/Certification form and submit to MDA with the $5.00 processing fee. Once MDA processes the form you will be eligible to schedule your exam with one of our testing partners.
No, this is a closed book proctored exam. You will need to schedule the exam with one of the MDA testing partners. A passing score is 70% or higher.
The study manual is sold through the UMN Extension Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education (PSEE) program, at the online bookstore.
You need to apply for a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License with categories A (Core), B (General Aerial), and C (Field Crop Pest Management).
MDA page showing steps how to obtain a commercial pesticide applicator license.
Yes, it will transfer, you will not need to retake the category B exam as long as it is current. Contact the MDA licensing department when you apply for the Commercial Pesticide Applicator License to have that category B exam score transferred.
Your new General Aerial Endorsement recertification cycle will fall within the same cycle as your Private Applicator Certification (i.e., if an applicator is 1-year into the 3-year cycle, the new endorsement will also be 1-year into the 3-year cycle) as long as you have kept your certification and endorsement(s) current by attending a workshop or retest.
A commercial pesticide license requires Category B (General Aerial) to recertify annually (attend a recertification workshop or retest). The Categories A (Core) and C (Field Crop Management) require a 3-year recertification cycle.
