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Maryland Pesticide Applicator — Requirements & Free Practice

US-MD · License preparation

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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.

Private Applicator Certificate

Restricted-use pesticide applications in agricultural commodity production on the applicator's or employer's owned or rented property.

Licensing authority: Maryland Department of Agriculture · Application information

Initial certification by examination
Maryland Private Applicator Certification Examination
Age
At least 16 years old under COMAR 15.05.01.07C.
Application
Apply on the Department form and demonstrate practical knowledge of pest control.
Fee
Pay the $7 certificate fee.
Training
Pre-exam training is optional; pass the MDA examination at 70% or higher.
Use scope
Agricultural commodity production on owned or rented property; no for-hire pest-control authority.
Initial certification by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documentation
Submit the current home-state certificate and driver's licence; satisfy agreement requirements and Maryland fees.
Maryland residents
Maryland residents must take Maryland certification examinations.
Prior state exam
The home-state certification examination is an applicant condition, never a Maryland examination leaf.
Residency
Nonresident; current certification in the applicant's state of residence under an equivalent EPA-approved plan with reciprocal exemptions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Three year certificate renewal with approved training
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to MDA and pay $7; certificate validity is three years.
Training
Participate in Department-approved training within the 12 months before certificate expiration; MDA guidance requires four half-hour credits.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Recertification after certificate suspension or revocation
Maryland Private Applicator Certification Examination
Board discretion
COMAR 15.05.01.18C permits the Department to require reexamination after suspension or revocation; applicable sanctions and recertification conditions must first be met.

Maryland Private Applicator Certification Examination

Provider
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Format
Written, closed-book, multiple-choice
Passing score
70% or higher
Practice scope

The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.

  • Core Standards
    • Pest Management
    • Federal Pesticide Laws
    • Pesticide Formulations
    • Pesticide Hazards and First Aid
    • Personal Protective Equipment
    • Pesticides in the Environment
    • Transportation, Storage, and Security
    • Emergency or Incident Response
    • Planning the Pesticide Application
    • Application Procedures and Equipment
    • Professional Conduct
  • Label Interpretation
    • Product Identification and Classification
    • Hazards and Precautions
    • Directions for Use, Storage, and Disposal
  • Maryland Regulations
    • Private Certification and Scope
    • Application, Supervision, and Safety
    • Storage, Transport, and Service Containers
    • Records, Renewal, and Enforcement
Examination sources