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United States · Certification exam

Texas pesticide applicator license

You apply to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) first, then take its exams at a Metro Institute test center, which has given TDA’s exams since May 19, 2025. A Texas pesticide applicator license is needed to use restricted use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides, and to apply any pesticide to plants, trees, shrubs or grass for hire. Results come right away.

  • 70%Score to pass each exam
  • $64Fee for each exam or retest
  • 24 hoursWait before you repeat an exam
Schedule with Metro Institute

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

TDA license types

  • Private applicator: you use restricted use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce an agricultural commodity on land you own or rent, or that your employer owns.
  • Commercial applicator: you run or work for a business that applies restricted use or state-limited-use pesticides to other people’s property for hire.
  • Noncommercial applicator: you work only on your employer’s property.
  • Noncommercial political subdivision: you work for a political subdivision or a federal agency in Texas.
  • Structural pest control: a separate TDA license, through its Structural Pest Control Service.

A pesticide applicator business needs a registration, not a license, with $100,000 of property damage and $100,000 of bodily injury coverage.

How do you get a Texas pesticide applicator license?

  1. Get the study manuals from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
  2. Private applicators attend a private applicator training session first, at a county AgriLife office or online. You get a training verification form. Commercial applicators don’t need training before testing.
  3. Apply to TDA and pay. TDA mails you an account number.
  4. Book at Metro Institute’s site. The name on your ID must match your application.
  5. Pass the General Standards exam and at least one category exam (private applicators take the private exam). Aerial must be paired with another category.
TDA: Scheduling ag pesticide exams ↗Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Applicator study materials ↗

Texas license fees

LicenseFee
Commercial applicator, each year$200
Noncommercial applicator, each year$140
Noncommercial political subdivision, each year$75
Private applicator$100

Exam fees are paid to Metro on top of these. TDA’s flyer doesn’t say how long the $100 private fee covers.

Continuing education in Texas

Commercial and noncommercial applicators recertify every year with 5 continuing education units (CEUs), including one each from two of laws and regulations, integrated pest management and drift minimization. Aerial applicators need 3 of the 5 in aerial topics.

Private applicators recertify every five years with 15 CEUs, including two in laws and regulations and two in integrated pest management. Up to ten can be internet or correspondence courses, or you can pass the private recertification exam for $64 an attempt. Renew online through the Texas Agriculture Portal (TAP).

TDA: Agricultural applicator CEU FAQ ↗TDA: Applicator publications, including the currently licensed list ↗
Sources: TDA and 6 more. Checked October 2026.

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

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