To get a pesticide license there are a few steps to take, but it's all pretty straightforward. Below is what you need to do, with links to pages where you can purchase manuals, check price lists, and view schedules.
1) Understand what type of pesticide license you need. (Understand what type of pesticide license you need.) The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) issues pesticide licenses in the state and they have a list of subcategories in which you can become certified and licensed. Look at the list of categories found on the Department of Agriculture's website to determine the one(s) you need.
2) Order manuals from the NC State University Pesticide Safety Education Program. All questions on the Pesticide Exams come from manuals produced by us here at N.C. State University. Each manual corresponds to a particular licensing category. You can order manuals online by going to pesticidemanuals.com.
3) Sign up for a Pesticide School or an exam-only option. We offer Pesticide Schools which you can sign up for at www.pesticideschools.com or by printing this form. At these schools, we review the Core Manual, which is a book most people must take a test on, and we review certain subcategories at each school. Also, at each school, the NCDA&CS will allow you to register for and take the pesticide exams.
You can take the exams without the pesticide safety school. If you opt to do this, you can look at the test dates, view exam prices, and register for the exam-only option on the NCDA&CS's website.
4) Take your pesticide exams. You may retake an exam; however, you must pay the exam fee each time, so make sure you are comfortable with the material before testing. Again, you can attend a Pesticide School before taking an exam, can study on your own and take the test online or at any exam-only site, or you can take the exam on the second day of a Pesticide School.
5) Complete the license/certification application form and mail it with your payment. After passing your exam(s), complete the appropriate NCDA&CS application form and mail it with a check or money order payable to the NCDA&CS.
Contact the North Carolina State University Pesticide Safety Education Program (pesticide-edu@ncsu.edu or 919-515-3113) if you have more questions.
