Private Pesticide Recertification

Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification 2024

Private applicators apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs) to lands or sites they own, rent or manage for the production of an agricultural commodity. Farmers and their families who apply RUPs to their land can apply for a private applicator certification.  Certification lasts for three years. To check your certification number, status and expiration date, search for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Private Pesticide Applicator Search page. Or call the MDA at 651-201-6633.

Those who wish to recertify their private pesticide license have several options.If your certification has not yet expired, choose one of the following recertification options:

  • Complete a mail-in exam, take an online exam, or  attend an in-person or Zoom workshop offered in January or February.

Each option costs $75.   If your certification has expired, you must complete the mail-in or online exam.If you want to mail your recertification test or take it online, call Pennington County Ag Services or stop by to get a packet after January 3rd. Online Zoom options or workshop registrations are available by searching “private applicator testing Minnesota extension.”

Those who wish to attend a workshop may do so as long as their license is still valid.  Here are the workshops sites in the Northwest Region of Minnesota.

1/16/2024 9:00 am - 12:30 pm McIntosh Community Center 115 NW Broadway McIntosh

1/17/2024 1:00 - 4:30 pm  Ada Event Center (former VFW)  415 S Main St Ada

1/19/2024 1:00 - 4:30 pm Comstock Community Center 15855 17th St South Comstock

2/1/2024   9:00 am - 12:30 pm Roseau City Center 121 Center St  Roseau

2/2/2024   1:00 - 4:30 pm Northwest Research & Outreach Center Auditorium 2900 University Ave. Crookston

2/16/2024 9:00 am - 12:30 pm Northland Community & Tech College Auditorium 1101 Highway One East Thief River Falls

If you have questions, contact Grant Nelson at Pennington County Ag Services from 7:30 am until 12:30 pm at 218-683-7030 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.