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Maine Pesticide Applicator — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Agricultural Basic Pesticide Applicator License

General-use pesticides for food production meeting the statutory income threshold.

Licensing authority: Maine Board of Pesticides Control · Application information

Initial certification by examination
Core Exam
Application
Submit the Board application and $15 licensing fee.
Certification
Core examination passing score 80%; certification and license expire October 31 of the third year.
Existing certification
Under §1471-D(2-D), a person already commercially or privately certified needs no additional Agricultural Basic certification.
Income
22 M.R.S. §1471-C(22-A)(B) requires $1,000 or more annually, although the Board page describes more than $1,000.
Pesticide use
Only general-use pesticides in food plant production on owned or rented property.
Recertification after insufficient continuing education
Core Exam
Application
Submit the Board application and $15 licensing fee.
Certification
Core examination passing score 80%; certification and license expire October 31 of the third year.
Existing certification
Under §1471-D(2-D), a person already commercially or privately certified needs no additional Agricultural Basic certification.
Income
22 M.R.S. §1471-C(22-A)(B) requires $1,000 or more annually, although the Board page describes more than $1,000.
Pesticide use
Only general-use pesticides in food plant production on owned or rented property.
Repeat deficiency
For repeated commercial deficiencies, also make up the prior credit balance within one year after retesting; renewal is withheld until credits are made up.
Trigger
Required recertification credits were not accumulated; retake the currently required initial examinations.
Renewal with valid recertification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and applicable fee.
Continuing education
3 approved recertification credits during the three-year certification period.
Valid certification
Current valid certification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Limited Use Pesticide Permit

Supplemental limited-use pesticide permission for an already appropriately licensed applicator; explicitly included in Chapter 10's license definition.

Licensing authority: Maine Board of Pesticides Control · Application information

Limited use pesticide permit application
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Identify chemical, target pests, vegetation, site location and description, and acreage.
Board discretion
The Board may grant permission with protective conditions.
Emergency
A bona fide emergency may permit oral application and Board consent, subsequently confirmed in writing within ten days; failure to anticipate a need with due diligence is not an emergency.
License held
Already appropriately licensed under Chapter 31 or 32.
Need
Heavy infestation threatens significant economic loss or public health; no suitable alternative method; no undue human or significant environmental risk; FIFRA compliance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

nonresident licenses

Emergency nonresident aerial-applicator license issued without examination through December 31 of its issuance year.

Licensing authority: board of pesticides control · Application information

Emergency nonresident credential recognition
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
The approved plan reserves discretion to review a credentialed applicant for reciprocity; Chapter 31 §6(B) definitively permits examination-free nonresident licensing only for an aerial pest-management emergency with insufficient qualified Maine licensees.
Compliance
Required Maine reports, insurance, fees and compliance with Maine law; a Maine regulations manual is provided.
Current other license
An appropriate current license in good standing from another certifying authority with comparable competency standards.
Duration
The approved plan limits reciprocal licenses to the calendar year.
Immediate need
The BPC must find an immediate need that prevents following normal Maine licensing procedures.
Minimum age
18 years.
Regulations review
Before the license issues, staff verbally reviews pertinent regulations if it waives the written Regulations examination.
Regulatory emergency
Staff determines an aerial pest-management emergency with insufficient qualified Maine applicators. The applicant is licensed/certified by another state or the Federal Government substantially under Chapter 31.
Validity
Through December 31 of the issuance year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Spray Contracting Firm License

An additional license required for commercial pesticide applicators for hire operating an incorporated company or a company employing more than one applicator, licensed or unlicensed.

Licensing authority: Maine Board of Pesticides Control · Application information

Initial firm certification and licensing
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Attestation
A responsible official attests to familiarity and compliance with Board statutes, rules and guidelines.
Fee
$300.
Insurance
Attest to required Chapter 31 insurance coverage when employees or agents apply pesticides.
Licensed staff
Employ sufficient licensed Master and Operator applicators; their individual licensing is an applicant condition of the firm, not an examination taken by the firm.
Organization
Submit the Board form detailing organization, chief officer, business locations and responsible masters.
Term
Three calendar years after issuance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Firm license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board review
The Board may refuse renewal for failure to meet Chapter 35 or the statutory revocation grounds, after notice and hearing.
Continuing qualification
Maintain Chapter 35 staffing, competence, insurance and reporting requirements.
Fee
Submit the application and $300 fee.
Reports
Annual summaries due January 31; failure to submit temporarily suspends the license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Core Exam

Format
Written, closed book
Passing score
80%
Examination outline
  • Label and labeling comprehension
    • The general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling.
    • Understanding instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels and labeling.
    • Understanding that it is a violation of Federal law to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
    • Understanding when a certified applicator must be physically present at the site of the application based on labeling requirements.
    • Understanding labeling requirements for supervising noncertified applicators working under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
    • Understanding that applicators must comply with all use restrictions and directions for use contained in pesticide labels and labeling, including being certified in the appropriate category to use restricted use pesticides for fumigation or aerial application, or predator control devices containing sodium cyanide or sodium fluoroacetate, if applicable.
    • Understanding the meaning of product classification as either general or restricted use, and that a product may be unclassified.
    • Understanding and complying with product-specific notification requirements.
    • Recognizing and understanding the difference between mandatory and advisory labeling language.
    • The general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling.
    • Understanding instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels and labeling.
    • Understanding that it is a violation of Federal law to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
    • Understanding labeling requirements that a certified applicator must be physically present at the site of the application.
    • Understanding labeling requirements for supervising noncertified applicators working under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
    • Understanding that applicators must comply with all use restrictions and directions for use contained in pesticide labels and labeling, including being certified in the certification category appropriate to the type and site of the application.
    • Understanding the meaning of product classification as either general or restricted use and that a product may be unclassified.
    • Understanding and complying with product-specific notification requirements.
    • Recognizing and understanding the difference between mandatory and advisory labeling language.
  • Safety
    • Understanding the different natures of the risks of acute toxicity and chronic toxicity, as well as the long-term effects of pesticides.
    • Understanding that a pesticide's risk is a function of exposure and the pesticide's toxicity.
    • Recognition of likely ways in which dermal, inhalation, and oral exposure may occur.
    • Common types and causes of pesticide mishaps.
    • Precautions to prevent injury to applicators and other individuals in or near treated areas.
    • Need for, and proper use of, protective clothing and personal protective equipment.
    • Symptoms of pesticide poisoning.
    • First aid and other procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide mishap.
    • Proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing procedures, and disposal methods for pesticides and used pesticide containers, including precautions to be taken to prevent children from having access to pesticides and pesticide containers.
    • Understanding the different natures of the risks of acute toxicity and chronic toxicity, as well as the long-term effects of pesticides.
    • Understanding that a pesticide's risk is a function of exposure and the pesticide's toxicity.
    • Recognition of likely ways in which dermal, inhalation, and oral exposure may occur.
    • Common types and causes of pesticide mishaps.
    • Precautions to prevent injury to applicators and other individuals in or near treated areas.
    • Need for, and proper use of, protective clothing and personal protective equipment.
    • Symptoms of pesticide poisoning.
    • First aid and other procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide mishap.
    • Proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing procedures, and disposal methods for pesticides and used pesticide containers, including precautions to be taken to prevent children from having access to pesticides and pesticide containers.
  • Environment
    • Weather and other climatic conditions.
    • Types of terrain, soil, or other substrate.
    • Presence of fish, wildlife, and other non-target organisms.
    • Drainage patterns.
    • Weather and other indoor and outdoor climatic conditions.
    • Types of terrain, soil, or other substrate.
    • Presence of fish, wildlife, and other non-target organisms.
    • Drainage patterns.
  • Pests
    • The importance of correctly identifying target pests and selecting the proper pesticide product(s).
    • Verifying that the labeling does not prohibit the use of the product to control the target pest(s).
    • The importance of correctly identifying target pests and selecting the proper pesticide product(s) for effective pest control.
    • Verifying that the labeling does not prohibit the use of the product to control the target pest(s).
  • Pesticides
    • Types of pesticides.
    • Types of formulations.
    • Compatibility, synergism, persistence, and animal and plant toxicity of the formulations.
    • Hazards and residues associated with use.
    • Factors that influence effectiveness or lead to problems such as pesticide resistance.
    • Dilution procedures.
    • Types of pesticides.
    • Types of formulations.
    • Compatibility, synergism, persistence, and animal and plant toxicity of the formulations.
    • Hazards and residues associated with use.
    • Factors that influence effectiveness or lead to problems such as pesticide resistance.
    • Dilution procedures.
  • Equipment
    • Types of equipment and advantages and limitations of each type.
    • Uses, maintenance, and calibration procedures.
    • Types of equipment and advantages and limitations of each type.
    • Use, maintenance, and calibration procedures.
  • Application methods
    • Methods used to apply various forms and formulations of pesticides.
    • Knowledge of which application method to use in a given situation and that use of a fumigant, aerial application, or predator control device containing sodium cyanide or sodium fluoroacetate requires additional certification.
    • How selection of application method and use of a pesticide may result in proper use, unnecessary or ineffective use, and misuse.
    • Prevention of drift and pesticide loss into the environment.
    • Methods used to apply various forms and formulations of pesticides.
    • Knowledge of which application method to use in a given situation and that use of a fumigant, aerial application, sodium cyanide, or sodium fluoroacetate requires additional certification.
    • How selection of application method and use of a pesticide may result in proper use, unnecessary or ineffective use, and misuse.
    • Prevention of drift and pesticide loss into the environment.
  • Laws and regulations
    • Laws and regulations. Knowledge of all applicable State, Tribal, and Federal laws and regulations, including understanding the Worker Protection Standard in 40 CFR part 170 and the circumstances where compliance is required.
    • Laws and regulations. Knowledge of all applicable State, Tribal, and Federal laws and regulations.
  • Responsibilities for supervisors of noncertified applicators
    • Understanding and complying with requirements in § 171.201 of this part for private applicators who supervise noncertified applicators using restricted use pesticides.
    • Providing use-specific instructions to noncertified applicators using restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
    • Explaining appropriate State, Tribal, and Federal laws and regulations to noncertified applicators working under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
    • Understanding and complying with requirements in § 171.201 of this part for certified commercial applicators who supervise noncertified applicators using restricted use pesticides.
    • The recordkeeping requirements of pesticide safety training for noncertified applicators who use restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
    • Providing use-specific instructions to noncertified applicators using restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
    • Explaining pertinent State, Tribal, and Federal laws and regulations to noncertified applicators who use restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
  • Stewardship
    • Maintaining chemical security for restricted use pesticides.
    • How to communicate information about pesticide exposures and risks with agricultural workers and handlers and other persons.
  • Agricultural pest control
    • Specific pests of relevant agricultural commodities.
    • How to avoid contamination of ground and surface waters.
    • Understanding pre-harvest and restricted entry intervals and entry-restricted periods and areas.
    • Understanding specific pesticide toxicity and residue potential when pesticides are applied to animal or animal product agricultural commodities.
    • Relative hazards associated with using pesticides on animals or places in which animals are confined based on formulation, application technique, age of animal, stress, and extent of treatment.
  • Control of pesticide drift to non-target areas
  • Proper meteorological conditions for the application of pesticides
  • Potential adverse effect of pesticides on plants, animals or humans
  • Professionalism
    • Maintaining chemical security for restricted use pesticides.
    • How to communicate information about pesticide exposures and risks with customers and the public.
    • Appropriate product stewardship for certified applicators.
Examination sources