Who needs a pesticide license in Nebraska?
Pesticide license information for commercial, noncommercial, and private applicators to include: searches for certified pesticide applicators, license dealers, and registered pesticides; the NDA Pesticide Program, reciprocal license requirements, private applicator recordkeeping, and Worker Protection Standards. In general, anyone can apply general use pesticides to their own property without a pesticide license. These are the pesticides found in home and garden centers, hardware stores, groceries, drug stores, and many other locations. Exceptions to this are listed in the commercial and noncommercial applicator sections. A pesticide license is always required when a restricted use pesticide (RUP) is applied. The pesticide product label will clearly indicate Restricted Use Pesticide. Pesticide Applicator Definitions Commercial and Noncommercial License Private License Classes and Study Materials Resources for Pesticide Applicators
See the pesticide applicator definitions list below to determine your classification if you plan to use an RUP or if you meet any of the exceptions. The state of Nebraska recognizes three types of applicators that must be licensed: commercial, noncommercial, and private.
Read here about information on how to get a commercial or noncommercial applicator license or how to recertify your license.
Read here about information on how to get a private applicator license or to recertify your license.
Online enrollment for commercial/noncommercial initial or recertification training sessions or to purchase the study materials online.
Search for certified pesticide applicators, licensed dealers, and registered pesticides; the NDA Pesticide Program; reciprocal license requirements; pesticide laws publications; private applicator recordkeeping; and the Worker Protection Standard.
Pesticide Applicator Definitions
Commercial Applicator
A licensed applicator who uses any RUP on a contractual or "for hire" basis. Commercial applicator also includes the use of general use pesticides for lawn/ornamental care or structural pest controls. Please note: this includes such products as a "weed and feed" lawn care formulations. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture license fee for a commercial applicator is $90 (good for three years).
Noncommercial Applicator
A licensed applicator who applies any RUP only on lands owned or controlled by his/her employer or for a governmental agency or political subdivision of the state. Also, a licensed applicator who uses either general or restricted use pesticides for public health vector control and is acting on behalf of a political subdivision of the state. No license fee is required for noncommercial applicators.
Private Applicator
A licensed applicator who uses any RUP for the purpose of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him/her or his/her employer. No custom pesticide applications can by made by the private applicator. The trading of personal services without compensation between producers of agricultural commodities is allowed. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture license fee for a private applicator is $25 (good for three years).
Pesticide Applicator Resources
UNL Crop Production Clinic Presentations
2011 Crop Production Clinic Presentations that were viewed by those applicators who have received their initial or renewed their Agricultural Pest Control - Plant category commercial pesticide license in 2011.
Search for Certified Pesticide Applicators in Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture database - search by last name, certified applicator number, or city, county, or zip code
Search for Licensed Dealers in Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture database - search by dealer name, dealer license number, or dealer city or zip code
Search for Registered Pesticides in Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture databases of registered pesticides
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture Pesticide Program
The Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture Pesticide Program is responsible for regulating the distribution, storage, and use of all pesticides in the state of Nebraska.
Reciprocal Certification with Nebraska
Persons who live outside of Nebraska may obtain a license from NDA if they hold valid credentials from a state, agency, or tribe that NDA has a reciprocal agreement with.
Pesticide Laws Publications
These NebGuides offer information on pesticide safety to include Nebraska pesticide container and secondary containment rules, understanding pesticide labels, laws and regulations, and worker protection standards.
Private Applicator Recordkeeping Requirements
Private applicators must record their restricted use pesticide (RUP) applications. In Nebraska, RUP records must be maintained for three years from the date of application. The certified pesticide applicator should retain these RUP records. Two examples of how the records can be organized: portrait and landscape.
Worker Protection Standard Information
EPA’s Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS) is a regulation aimed at reducing the risk of pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: How to Comply Web site provides links to information for employers to comply with the WPS, and the full PDF version of the manual can be downloaded. The Worker Protection Standard Facts Sheets Web site offers a series of fact sheets that provide easy-to-understand explanations of many compliance-related subjects.
