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Federal law mandates that anyone who applies or oversees the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs) must be certified in compliance with EPA regulations and applicable state, territorial, or tribal laws. Pesticide applicators must be knowledgeable in the proper and effective application of RUPs. Some States have additional requirements for Aerial Applicators with UAVs. This may involve obtaining FAA licenses prior to being licensed in your State.
Current regulations require individuals who apply or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs) to be certified as either private or commercial applicators. Let’s quickly define both roles.
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Private Applicator
Apply pesticides for the production of an agricultural commodity on land you or your employer owns or rents.
Commercial Applicator
Do not meet the description of a private applicator. In other words, they usually apply pesticides on land that they do not own or rent, and for compensation.
Pesticide License By State
Every state has different Pesticide Applicator License requirements. We’ve compiled a list of ag departments for each State below. Click on the State(s) you intend to operate in to find more information:
American territories
US territories also have their own specific requirements. You can find out more by clicking on any of the territories below:
Puerto Rico | American Samoa | Guam | Northern Marina Islands | Virgin Islands
Other licenses
If you’re looking for FAA licenses, check out our complete guide to FAA Part 137 for spray drone operators.
After You’re Licensed
After you have obtained all required licenses you’re legally allowed to use your drone for spraying chemicals. Make sure to maintain compliance by storing flight data and renewing your license every 1-5 years depending on requirements. If you need help, AckerSpray also has a compliance package that assists in obtaining all relevant licenses required for a legal operation.