Private Pesticide Applicator

Part 1. General Information

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA) required each state to set up a program to certify users of pesticides. This certification is designed to demonstrate a certain level of competency by pesticide users on the safe use of pesticides. New Jersey, through the Bureau of Pesticide Control (BPC), began its certification program in 1975.

Users of pesticides are classified as either private applicators or commercial applicators. The definition of each is as follows:

PRIVATE APPLICATOR – any person who uses, or supervises the use, of pesticides for the purpose of raising an agricultural commodity. The pesticide use can be on land owned or rented by the applicator or the applicator’s employer. Examples of private applicators are dairy farmers, vegetable or fruit growers, greenhouse growers, ranchers, and nurserymen.

COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR – any person who applies pesticides for non-agricultural purposes. Any person who uses, or supervises the use, of pesticides on a “for hire” basis, no matter what for. Also, any person who applies pesticides as part of his job with any government agency. Examples of commercial applicators are those who work for exterminators; landscapers; tree services; aerial applicators; weed control firms; pet groomers; apartments, motels, nursing homes, restaurants, etc. who do their own pest control work; and government agencies such as mosquito extermination commissions, public school systems, Departments of Public Works, Departments of Health, the DOT, etc.

If you are not sure whether you are classified as a private or commercial applicator, call the Department at (609) 984-6568.

NOTE: To make changes to personal information associated with a current license, including updates to the home address, please submit License Change Form VPC-004  to pestcertcourses@dep.nj.gov.

Part 2. Private Applicator Certification and Exams

Certification is accomplished by passing the Private pesticide applicator certification exam. This exam is based on the training manual entitled “Pesticide Applicator Training Manual – Private.” This training manual can be obtained through Rutgers from your County Cooperative Extension Office or at  https://pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/pat/manuals/.

The exam is a closed book exam. There is a 1 hour 45 minute time limit for taking the exam. A Private Pesticide Applicator is fully certified after passing the Private Pesticide Applicator exam and processing their $0 invoice online.

STEP 1 – Prepare for the exam

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended you purchase the “Private Pesticide Applicator Training Manual” from the County Cooperative Extension Office in your area or online at https://pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/pat/manuals/. Training manuals cannot be purchased from the Department.

STEP 2 – Sign up for exam with Rutgers University

Register through the PACER system at pacer.rutgers.edu

  • The registration PACER system and exams are available 24/7.
  • All exams will be administered via remote proctoring including real-time student ID verification and activity monitoring to uphold the Department’s exam standards and security.
  • Exam applicants will be assessed a nominal fee of $50.00 for each Private Applicator exam.
  • All exams are CLOSED book.

QUESTIONS? Email pacer@njaes.rutgers.edu

After your exam:

  • Scores will be communicated to examinees via email by Rutgers University within 7-10 days of exam completion. A license number will be provided at that time.  The license number is not valid until the $0 licensing invoice is processed.
  • The Department receives your scores approximately 1-2 weeks after you receive the email notification. An invoice will be available online 7-10 days after the Department receives your score. A paper invoice will also be mailed to your home address, but it must be processed online. Do not mail your invoice to The Department.
  • There is no fee charged for the Private Certified Pesticide Applicator license. To receive a copy of your license you must process the invoice online (please see Instructions in Part 3).

Part 3. How to Process A $0 Invoice

The Department is no longer accepting $0 invoices via post. Private Pesticide Applicators must visit our website and process their invoice online.  Licenses will not be sent out until the invoice is processed.

IF YOU NEED TO LOOK UP YOUR INVOICE NUMBER CLICK HERE: Invoice Numbers for Unpaid License Invoices – Individuals. Make sure to capitalize the letter in your license number and enter the date format MM/DD/YYYY including slashes.

IF YOU KNOW YOUR INVOICE NUMBER CLICK HERE: Pay For Your License Online. Make sure to capitalize the letter in your license number.

The license will be valid for a minimum of 5 years, at which point another $0 invoice will generate. Delays in processing an invoice could lead to loss of license. If this occurs the Applicator will need to pass the exams again to become certified. Process invoices online as soon as you receive them to ensure your license remains active.

Part 4. Recertification of Private Pesticide Applicators

Once you are certified, your certification is good for a minimum of 5 years. The recertification date will be an October 31st date and is calculated by adding 5 years to the next October 31st date following the date you passed the certification exam (example: pass exam May 15, 2000; next October 31st date is October 31, 2000; recertification date is October 31, 2005).

Recertification can be accomplished in two ways. One way is to retake the Private applicator certification exam during the 5th year. The other way, which is encouraged, is to accumulate units of recertification credit over the 5 year period by attending NJ approved courses, seminars and meetings. A Private Applicator must accumulate 8 units of credit (one unit equals 30 minutes of instruction time) in Core subject matter and 16 units of credit in Private Part 2 (PP2) subject matter over the 5 years. Examples of Core subject matter are topics such as pesticide regulations, the hazards of pesticide use, and the use of personal safety equipment. Examples of PP2 subject matter are topics such as pest ID, methods of pest control, including integrated pest management, and the proper use of specific pesticides.

Check the 5-year Recertification page for courses currently being offered. The BPC itself does not offer any recertification courses. Course information can also be obtained by contacting your County Cooperative Extension Office, professional associations and private companies which offer such courses.

You will receive an update of your recertification status once a year. The “Recertification Update Form” will tell you when your 5 year period is up, how many units you have accumulated and how many more you need. IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RECERTIFICATION YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THIS NOTICE. Visit our Online Reports to check your license recertification status and credit transcript.

If there are any questions on the certification program for Private Pesticide Applicators, please call the BPC at (609) 984-6568.

Pesticide applicators can obtain 25% of their credits (2 Core units and 4 units in each Category) for each category that they are certified in by completing online courses during their 5-year recertification period. Online courses are listed on the applicator’s transcript with the date 01-JAN of the licensing year the course was taken. Remote classes preapproved to monitor attendees on camera qualify for in-person CEUs and are exempt from the 25% restriction. Please contact your course coordinator with questions regarding on-camera attendance.

  • Search for classes by category
  • To look for online courses, use January first (01/01) of this licensing year as the start and end date of the search.

Remote classes that are not subject to the 25% restriction will be listed under the date they take place, and with the county listed as “Various”.

RECIPROCAL LICENSES: If you qualified for your pesticide applicator license through reciprocity, you can renew your New Jersey license by sending proof of current certification in your primary state. More information about reciprocal license recertification.

If there are any questions on the recertification program for Private Pesticide Applicators, please call the BPC at (609) 984-6568 or email pestcertcourses@dep.nj.gov.

Part 5. Private Applicator Licensing Reports