Pesticide Certification and Business Registration
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is the state agency that regulates pesticides and is responsible for compliance assistance, public outreach activities and enforcement of State pesticide laws.
Certification:
The Division of Materials Management develops standards and criteria for pesticide applicator certification and certification renewal; designs and administers applicator examinations; and recommends/develops standards for applicator training courses.
Individuals are certified as commercial pesticide applicators, commercial pesticide technicians and private pesticide applicators. The type of applications that a person may perform is dependent on the applicator's certification. The pesticide applicator requirements are explained in detail in Title 6 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York Part 325 Application of Pesticides. You may view the list of New York State certified pesticide applicators, technicians and aquatic anti-fouling paint applicators including recertification dates in PDF (1.87 MB), sorted by the applicators' last name - this file is updated regularly.
Business/Agency Registration:
Each business location offering, advertising or providing the services of commercial application of pesticides either entirely or as part of the business, and each agency that applies pesticides, must also register with the Department. A definition of agency and other business registration requirements are contained in 6 NYCRR Part 325.
Your pesticide business or agency cannot apply pesticides without a valid pesticide business or agency registration. Renewal applications should be received at least three weeks before your registration expires to avoid a lapse in registration. The Pesticide Business and Agency Registration Instructions and Application can be obtained in either PDF or Microsoft Word: Pesticide Business and Agency Registration Application and Instructions (PDF- 112 KB) or Pesticide Business and Agency Registration Application and Instructions (Microsoft Word - 74.5 KB).
Note that the registration expiration date is determined by the DEC Region and/or county in which a business or agency is located. Fees will not be prorated for any part of a registration period. The registration period is for three years. To determine your region see DEC Regions web page.
| Region | Expiration Date |
|---|---|
| 1 (Nassau) | October 31 |
| 1 (Suffolk) | December 31 |
| 2 | February 28 |
| 3 | April 30 |
| 4 | June 30 |
| 5 | June 30 |
| 6 | June 30 |
| 7 | July 31 |
| 8 | August 31 |
| 9 | September 30 |
| Out of State | June 30 |
Business registrations are issued from the Albany Office, call (518) 402-8748 for additional information. You may view the list of New York State registered pesticide application businesses in PDF (812 KB) or in Excel (1.15 MB), sorted by city name - this file is updated regularly.
Commercial Permits:
A commercial permit is required for the sale of restricted use pesticides in New York State. 6 NYCRR Part 326 contains the commercial permit requirements. Commercial permits are issued from the Albany Office, call (518) 402-8748 for additional information. You may view the list of New York State commercial permit holders in Excel (106 KB).
Enforcement:
Please call the Pesticide contact number in your Regional Office that serves your county to file a complaint concerning the misapplication of a pesticide.
More about Pesticide Certification and Business Registration:
- Application Instructions for Commercial Permits - General Instructions to Complete the Commercial Permit Application
- Aquatic Anti-Fouling Paint Applicator Information - Requirements to become and/or recertify an aquatic anti-fouling paint applicator certification.
- Certification Categories and Credit Requirements - Listing of categories and credits required for pesticide recertification.
- Course Sponsor Information - Information and required forms for those individuals interested in conducting pesticide certification and/or recertification courses.
- Pesticide Applicator/Technician Information - Information detailing the current pesticide certification requirements.
- Statewide Pesticide Exam Calendar - Dates, times and contact information regarding upcoming pesticide exam sessions.
