Minnesota Pesticide Applicator — Requirements & Free Practice
US-MN · 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 Pesticide Applicator Certification
Private Pesticide Applicator Certification issued by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Licensing authority: Minnesota Department of Agriculture · Application information
General Aerial re endorsement by approved workshop
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Existing Certification
- Maintain current private applicator certification and existing General Aerial endorsement.
- Workshop
- Complete an approved General Aerial workshop; endorsement cycle follows the private certification cycle.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- MDA Private Applicator General Aerial Endorsement Program
Re-endorsement — General Aerial workshop alternative
Initial General Aerial endorsement
Category B — General Aerial Examination (practice unavailable)
- Existing Certification
- Hold current MDA Private Pesticide Applicator Certification; endorsement expires with that certification.
- Reendorsement
- Retesting is required for fumigation re-endorsement; General Aerial also allows approved General Aerial workshops.
- Use
- Category B is required for General Aerial applications; submit category addition and card fee, then pass the monitored closed-book category examination.
Initial Non Soil Fumigation endorsement
Category N — Non-soil Fumigation Examination (practice unavailable)
- Existing Certification
- Hold current MDA Private Pesticide Applicator Certification; endorsement expires with that certification.
- Reendorsement
- Retesting is required for fumigation re-endorsement; General Aerial also allows approved General Aerial workshops.
- Use
- Category N is required for Non-Soil Fumigation applications; submit category addition and card fee, then pass the monitored closed-book category examination.
Initial Soil Fumigation endorsement
Category O — Soil Fumigation Examination (practice unavailable)
- Existing Certification
- Hold current MDA Private Pesticide Applicator Certification; endorsement expires with that certification.
- Reendorsement
- Retesting is required for fumigation re-endorsement; General Aerial also allows approved General Aerial workshops.
- Use
- Category O is required for Soil Fumigation applications; submit category addition and card fee, then pass the monitored closed-book category examination.
Re endorsement by General Aerial examination
Category B — General Aerial Examination (practice unavailable)
- Existing Certification
- Hold current MDA Private Pesticide Applicator Certification; endorsement expires with that certification.
- Reendorsement
- Retesting is required for fumigation re-endorsement; General Aerial also allows approved General Aerial workshops.
- Use
- Category B is required for General Aerial applications; submit category addition and card fee, then pass the monitored closed-book category examination.
Re endorsement by Non Soil Fumigation examination
Category N — Non-soil Fumigation Examination (practice unavailable)
- Existing Certification
- Hold current MDA Private Pesticide Applicator Certification; endorsement expires with that certification.
- Reendorsement
- Retesting is required for fumigation re-endorsement; General Aerial also allows approved General Aerial workshops.
- Use
- Category N is required for Non-Soil Fumigation applications; submit category addition and card fee, then pass the monitored closed-book category examination.
Re endorsement by Soil Fumigation examination
Category O — Soil Fumigation Examination (practice unavailable)
- Existing Certification
- Hold current MDA Private Pesticide Applicator Certification; endorsement expires with that certification.
- Reendorsement
- Retesting is required for fumigation re-endorsement; General Aerial also allows approved General Aerial workshops.
- Use
- Category O is required for Soil Fumigation applications; submit category addition and card fee, then pass the monitored closed-book category examination.
Certification after expiration
- Age
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Agricultural Use
- Use restricted-use pesticides in qualifying agricultural commodity production on owned, rented or managed sites, qualifying employees, or traditional uncompensated exchanges under 18B.36 subdivision 1.
- Certification
- Apply through University of Minnesota Extension; obtain and carry the MDA certification card.
- Lapse
- Certification is expired; UMN's current general instructions require the examination for initial issuance or return after expiration.
- Statutory Proctoring
- 18B.36 subdivision 2(b) requires a proctored examination as determined by the commissioner. UMN's 2026 implementing instructions describe Honorlock and still offer mail-in examinations; the statutory requirement governs.
- Testing
- In 2026 the electronic exam uses Honorlock; MDA and UMN also offer a mail-in option. Follow the selected method's registration instructions; never transfer paper answers to the online exam.
Initial private applicator certification
- Age
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Agricultural Use
- Use restricted-use pesticides in qualifying agricultural commodity production on owned, rented or managed sites, qualifying employees, or traditional uncompensated exchanges under 18B.36 subdivision 1.
- Certification
- Apply through University of Minnesota Extension; obtain and carry the MDA certification card.
- Statutory Proctoring
- 18B.36 subdivision 2(b) requires a proctored examination as determined by the commissioner. UMN's 2026 implementing instructions describe Honorlock and still offer mail-in examinations; the statutory requirement governs.
- Testing
- In 2026 the electronic exam uses Honorlock; MDA and UMN also offer a mail-in option. Follow the selected method's registration instructions; never transfer paper answers to the online exam.
Recertification by examination
- Age
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Agricultural Use
- Use restricted-use pesticides in qualifying agricultural commodity production on owned, rented or managed sites, qualifying employees, or traditional uncompensated exchanges under 18B.36 subdivision 1.
- Certification
- Apply through University of Minnesota Extension; obtain and carry the MDA certification card.
- Renewal
- Recertify before March 1 in the expiration year. UMN's 2026 registration accepts applicants whose certification expires March 1, 2026; training alternatives are a separate no-examination route.
- Statutory Proctoring
- 18B.36 subdivision 2(b) requires a proctored examination as determined by the commissioner. UMN's 2026 implementing instructions describe Honorlock and still offer mail-in examinations; the statutory requirement governs.
- Testing
- In 2026 the electronic exam uses Honorlock; MDA and UMN also offer a mail-in option. Follow the selected method's registration instructions; never transfer paper answers to the online exam.
Recertification by approved training
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Current Certification
- Available for recertifying eligible private applicators before expiration, not initial applicants or applicants returning after expiration.
- Training
- Complete an approved recertification workshop or approved training program, pay required fees and maintain the three-year certification cycle.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- MDA Private Pesticide Applicator Certification
How to Obtain Certification — workshop recertification
- Minnesota Rules Chapter 1505
1505.0980 subpart 1 — certification programs
Category B — General Aerial Examination
- Provider
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Format
- Closed-book monitored examination; questions primarily multiple choice
- Passing score
- 70% or better
Examination outline
CATEGORY B - GENERAL AERIAL
- Applicators must demonstrate practical knowledge of the pest problems and pest control practices associated with performing aerial application of restricted use pesticides, including all the following: Labeling, Application equipment, Application considerations, Minimizing drift, Performing aerial application.
Examination sources
- MDA Pesticide Use License Competencies
Introduction — minimum standards for manuals and examinations
- MDA Pesticide Use License Competencies
CATEGORY B - GENERAL AERIAL
- University of Minnesota Pesticide Safety Certification Resources
Study manuals — required Core and category manuals
- MDA Pesticide Applicator Testing
Taking the Exam — format and passing score
- MDA Pesticide Applicator License Types
Noncommercial License Categories — category B
- MDA Pesticide Applicator Testing
Steps for Success — study and testing location
Category N — Non-soil Fumigation Examination
- Provider
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Format
- Closed-book monitored examination; questions primarily multiple choice
- Passing score
- 70% or better
Examination outline
CATEGORY N - NON SOIL FUMIGATION
- Applicators must demonstrate practical knowledge of the pest problems and pest control practices associated with performing fumigation applications of restricted use pesticides to sites other than soil, including all the following: Labeling comprehension, Safety, Chemical characteristics, Application, Pest factors, PPE, Fumigant management plans, Posting requirements.
Examination sources
- MDA Pesticide Use License Competencies
Introduction — minimum standards for manuals and examinations
- MDA Pesticide Use License Competencies
CATEGORY N - NON SOIL FUMIGATION
- University of Minnesota Pesticide Safety Certification Resources
Study manuals — required Core and category manuals
- MDA Pesticide Applicator Testing
Taking the Exam — format and passing score
- MDA Pesticide Applicator License Types
Noncommercial License Categories — category N
- MDA Pesticide Applicator Testing
Steps for Success — study and testing location
Category O — Soil Fumigation Examination
- Provider
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Format
- Closed-book monitored examination; questions primarily multiple choice
- Passing score
- 70% or better
Examination outline
CATEGORY O - SOIL FUMIGATION
- Applicators must demonstrate practical knowledge of the pest problems and pest control practices associated with performing soil fumigation applications, including all the following: Labeling and labeling comprehension, Safety, Chemical characteristics, Application, Soil and pest factors, PPE, Fumigation management plans, Buffer zones and postings.
Examination sources
- MDA Pesticide Use License Competencies
Introduction — minimum standards for manuals and examinations
- MDA Pesticide Use License Competencies
CATEGORY O - SOIL FUMIGATION
- University of Minnesota Pesticide Safety Certification Resources
Study manuals — required Core and category manuals
- MDA Pesticide Applicator Testing
Taking the Exam — format and passing score
- MDA Pesticide Applicator License Types
Noncommercial License Categories — category O
- MDA Pesticide Applicator Testing
Steps for Success — study and testing location
Minnesota Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam
- Provider
- University of Minnesota Extension
- Format
- Online proctored or paper mail-in certification examination
- Passing score
- 80% (40 points or more)
Examination outline
Integrated Pest Management
- What Is Integrated Pest Management?
- Pest Management Methods
Pesticide Laws
- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and Amendments
- Other Federal Pesticide Laws
- State Laws
- Summary, Resources, and References
The Pesticide Label
- The Importance of Pesticide Labeling
- Parts of the Label
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Pesticide Formulations
- Overview of Pesticide Formulations
- Pesticide Mixtures and Adjuvants
Protecting the Environment
- The Pesticide Applicator’s Environment
- Preventing Impacts of Pesticides on the Environment
- Protected Species
Health and Safety
- Pesticide Risks and Exposure
- Recognizing Pesticide Exposure Symptoms
- Applying First Aid for Pesticide Exposure
Safe Handling: The Application Process
- Safe Handling during Transportation, Storage, Mixing, Loading, and Application
- Disposing of Pesticide Wastes and Empty Containers
- Responding to a Pesticide Fire, Spill, or Other Incident
Personal Protective Equipment
- Personal Protection
- Respiratory Devices
Pesticide Application Procedures and Equipment
- Methods of Pesticide Application and Types of Equipment
- Equipment Calibration
- Appendix A: Pesticide Toxicities
- Appendix B: Glossary
- Appendix C: Conversions and Calculations
Examination sources
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Introduction, page v — complete examination content boundary
- University of Minnesota 2026 Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam registration
Proctoring Rules and Requirements — allowed study manual
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 1 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 1 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 1 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 2 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 2 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 2 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 2 Section 3
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 2 Section 4
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 3 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 3 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 3 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 3 Section 3
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 4 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 4 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 4 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 5 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 5 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 5 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 5 Section 3
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 6 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 6 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 6 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 6 Section 3
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 7 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 7 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 7 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 7 Section 3
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 8 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 8 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 8 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 9 heading
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 9 Section 1
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents — Chapter 9 Section 2
- Private Pesticide Applicator Safety Education Manual, Introduction and Contents
Table of Contents, page xi — appendices
- University of Minnesota 2026 Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam registration
Receipt Notes, Exam Link & Instructions, Grading, and Certificate — passing score
- University of Minnesota 2026 Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam registration
PSEE X260 course title
- University of Minnesota 2026 Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam registration
Description — eligible applicants
- University of Minnesota 2026 Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam registration
Mail-in and Online Exams are Not the Same — delivery restrictions