Private Applicator Certification
A private applicator is an applicator who applies restricted-use pesticides by ground application for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the applicator or the applicator’s employer.
Minimum age for all pesticide applicators is 18 years including those applying restricted-use pesticides. An exception is made for those of a minimum age of 16 years being supervised by a certified private applicator who is a member of their immediate family
There is a fee for Private Applicator training, both in-person and online. Training can occur anytime throughout the year. Please complete the registration form link button below.
Certification Period
Pesticide certification runs in a three-year cycle. No matter what date you complete your training, your certification will expire on June 30, 2026.
Recertification
If you currently hold a valid Private Applicator Certification, you now have the option to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) online at your own pace through the University of Tennessee’s K@TE learning system.
To begin, please visit the following site:
👉 https://eesd.tennessee.edu/e-learning/
Once there, scroll down to the section titled “Pesticide Safety Education Program.”
Under the heading “I am a private applicator needing to become recertified,” you will find several approved training modules that can be completed for CEU credit:
- 2025 PSEP Private Applicator Recertification – TDA-118122 – 2 points
- 2025 Herbicide Drift and Fumigation Rules – TDA-118127 – 1 point
- 2025 Herbicide Safety: Glyphosate – TDA-118124 – 1 point
- 2025 Introduction to Entomology – TDA-118126 – 1 point
- 2025 Understanding Pesticide Exposure and Herbicide Stewardship – TDA-118123 – 1 point
You may also access the K@TE system from the public-facing Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) page by selecting “Private Applicator Online Training,” which will direct you to the same course listings.
Points available for commercial applicator credit are also listed on the K@TE site.
In person opportunities will be available in 2026 and accommodations can be made for those without internet access.
Please remember that Private Applicators must complete a total of 3 CEU hours before the June 30, 2026 deadline to maintain certification.
Record Keeping
Private applicators are required to keep records of restricted-use pesticide applications and, if workers and/or handlers are employed, these records must be maintained for two years. The following document may used to maintain Federal recordkeeping requirements: Pesticide Application Recordkeeping Form, F 808 and SP 363-H. Employers of workers and/or pesticide handlers may want to refer to Worker Protection Standard checklist, found here: WPS Requirements for Employers of Workers. At one time, USDA had a printed version of a recordkeeping manual, but now is only available for download at USDA’s website.