Certification

Questions? Contact Safa Alzohairy at 517-353-9903 or safa@msu.edu

A person applying a pesticide product in the course of his or her employment or other business activity in the state of Michigan must be a certified pesticide applicator or a registered applicator.

If you are interested in starting a pesticide application business, you will need a business license from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD). 

If you host applicator training events, here are guidelines for obtaining credits for your event.

­How to Get Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification

To clear up any confusion with the Program Commercial Applicator certification process, the Michigan State University Pesticide Safety Education Program compiled this guide to ensure certification is as easy as possible.

Requirements

The minimum age is 18 years old to certify as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator. You must pass the Commercial Core exam and at least one Category exam to have Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification. Those certifying as Registered Technicians must pass the Commercial Core exam and then receive annual training from a Certified Trainer of Registered Technicians. Passing score for all Michigan pesticide exams is 70% or greater.

Manuals to study

Taking the exam

  • Find an exam location and register for a seat to take the exam(s).
  • Once you have studied and are ready to take the exam(s) go to MDARD’s Online Pesticide Exam Scheduling page. Enter as a guest. Any county highlighted in green indicates exams are being given in that county. Click on the county for the location date and time or times for the session and make a reservation.
  • Alternatively, online proctored exams are also available. Information about online exams can be found at the Metro Institute website.

For more information on how to obtain certification, see these resources from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development. 

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).