Introduction: Before ordering your study materials and completing an exam registration application, you must decide what type of Pesticide License Credential you need and what exam registration application you are eligible to submit. The following are the four different types of pesticide licenses or certifications issued by the Department of Agricultural Resources for the use or sale of pesticides in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Commercial Applicator (Core) License: This is the credential you need if you have never had a Commercial Applicator License before and plan to use general use pesticides on the property of another for hire or as part of your current job duties on the property of your employer or property leased by your employer. This is the type of credential required for an individual to apply general use pesticides, or any restricted use pesticide under the direct supervision of a certified applicator, for hire or compensation for any purpose on any property other than as provided by the below definition of "private applicator certification".

Commercial Applicator Certification: This is the credential you need if you have have maintained a Commercial Applicator License, a.k.a. core license, for two (2) or more years in Massachusetts or in another state during the past five (5) years, and you plan to use restricted use pesticides (RUP's) on the property of another for hire. Commercial certification is the credential for pesticide applicators who use or supervise the use of any pesticide which is classified as restricted use for hire or compensation for any purpose or on any property other than as provided by the below definition of "private applicator certification".

Private Applicator Certification: This is the credential you need if you are a grower or farmer and plan to use restricted use pesticides (RUP's) on your own property, the property of your employer, or property rented by your employer for the purpose of raising agricultural commodities. Agricultural commodities can include, but are not limited to, products like cranberries, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, greenhouse plants, sod, nursery stock, blueberries, apples, etc. Private certification applicator credentials are for private applicators who use or supervise the use of restricted use or state limited use pesticides for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him or his employer or without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities.

Dealer License: This is the credential you need if you intend to sell either federal restricted use pesticides or pesticides classified as state restricted use or state limited use pesticides to indiviuals maintaining a valid commercial or private pesticide applicator certification credential. A dealer license is not required for individuals that are only selling general use pesticides.

Registering for the Exam and Obtaining Study Materials: Now that you know what type of Pesticide License Credential you need, it's time to obtain your study materials and register for the exam. You may even want to attend an exam preparation workshop administered by the University of Massachusetts Pesticide Education Program. All the information you need to navigate this process, including--study material order forms, exam registration appliations, exam schedules, etc. is found in the Pesticice Examination and License Information Bulletin.