Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Licensing

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. Do I need a Private Pesticide Applicator license?
   People who apply pesticides for the purpose of raising an agricultural commodity, including organic farmers, need to be licensed as a Private Pesticide Applicator. Examples of commodities are vegetables, fruit, flowers, greenhouse plants, Christmas trees, or animals such as livestock. Farmers and/or their employees are usually Private Pesticide Applicators. Companies that are hired by the farmer to apply pesticides must have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator and an Applicator Business license.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. Do I need a Pesticide Dealer license?
   Anyone who sells restricted-use pesticides to people who use them must be a Certified Pesticide Dealer and work for a company that is licensed as a Pesticide Dealer Business.
   
   
6. 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, and Category 13 - IPM in Schools, you must pass Core and one additional category exam). Private Pesticide Applicators and Certified Pesticide Dealers take one 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.)
   
   
7. 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.
   
   
8. 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 no fee for this exam. Reciprocal license information can also be found on the Reciprocal License page.
   
   
9. Where do I get the study manuals?
   At the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office in your county. A study manual and test site list is included with each exam package. The PCP does not supply the study manuals.
   
   
10. 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.
    
    
11. 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.
    
    
12. Can I use the study manual during the exam?
    Core, Dealer, Private and Categories 2, 3A, 3B, 3C and 7A exams are closed book exams. All other Category exams are open book. The New Jersey Pesticide Control Regulations are used for the reciprocal and EtO waiver exams.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. 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.
    
    
15. What are the license fees?
    Commercial Pesticide Applicator - $80/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
    
    
16. 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.
    
    
17. 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.
    
    
18. 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.
    
    
19. 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.
    
    
20. 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.
    
    
21. 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). You may also check the number of units you have by going to the online reports portal.
    
    
22. 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.
    
    
23. What recertification courses are available?
    Refer to the Recertification Course page.
    
    
24. 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.
    
    
25. 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).
    
    
26. 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 $300 annual registration fee per product. See the Pesticide Product Registration page. Also see the list of restricted-use pesticides for New Jersey.