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United States · Certification exam

California pesticide applicator license

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) issues two applicator credentials, the Qualified Applicator License (QAL) and the Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC), and county agricultural commissioners issue the Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) for farmers. For a California pesticide applicator license you must be at least 18. Structural pest control is licensed by the separate Structural Pest Control Board.

  • 70%Score to pass each exam
  • $115Fee for each DPR exam
  • 20 hoursContinuing education every 2 years
Apply for a DPR license

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Which California pesticide applicator license do you need?

  • QAL: to apply or supervise the application of federally restricted use pesticides or state restricted materials, and to supervise applications made by a licensed pest control business.
  • QAC: the same use, without the role of supervising a pest control business’s applications.
  • PAC: restricted materials as a private applicator, from your county agricultural commissioner.

How do you get a QAL or QAC?

  1. Study DPR’s Laws and Regulations Study Guide and the University of California Integrated Pest Management (UC IPM) Program’s manual The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides, sold by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), plus the material for your category.
  2. Mail DPR your application with the fee, and a government ID showing you’re 18 or older.
  3. PSI emails you a scheduling referral. Test at one of about 25 PSI sites in California.
  4. Pass the Laws, Regulations and Basic Principles exam and at least one category exam, each with 70% or higher.

QAL categories run from A, residential, industrial and institutional, to M, non-soil fumigation. The QAC has the same categories plus Q, maintenance gardener.

DPR fees

FeeQACQAL
New application$90$180
2nd year fee$70$135
Renewal, 2 years$140$270
Late renewal fee$70$135
Each exam$115$115

DPR’s fee table says these fees took effect August 5, 2024.

Renewing in California

QALs and QACs run on two-year cycles: last names A to L expire December 31 of even-numbered years, and M to Z of odd-numbered years. You need 20 hours of approved continuing education each cycle, 4 of them on laws and regulations, with smaller amounts for a first, shorter cycle. There’s no grace period.

A PAC renews every three years with 6 hours of continuing education, 2 on laws and regulations, or by passing the exam again.

DPR: List of current licensees ↗DPR: Continuing education courses ↗

The Private Applicator Certificate

County agricultural commissioner staff give and proctor the PAC exam. It needs 70%, it isn’t open book or take-home, and it’s offered in English and Spanish. If you fail, wait at least seven calendar days. DPR says there’s no fee for the exam, the card or renewing it. Study with UC ANR’s Pesticide Safety: A Study Manual for Private Applicators.

Sources: DPR and 7 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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