This guide provides a summary of the requirements for pesticide applicator licensing in New Mexico. Always refer to the Pesticide Control Act and the rules authorized under it for details. For more information and for study material recommendations, exam schedules, application forms, etc., visit NMDA's web site, www.nmda.nmsu.edu or call the Pesticide Compliance group at 575-646-2134 or 800-432-5310.

PRIVATE APPLICATOR LICENSE

Private Applicators use or supervise the use of restricted agricultural pesticides to produce agricultural commodities on property they or their employers own or rent. To become licensed as a private applicator an individual must:

• Pass a written exam administered by NMDA

• Pay the fee of $15

See the section on Private Applicators for more information.

COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR LICENSE

Commercial Applicators apply or supervise the application of any pesticide for any purpose on someone else's property for compensation.

In order to qualify for a Commercial Applicator license an individual must be able to document 2 years' experience applying pesticides, or 20 hours of college credits in biological and/or agricultural sciences plus 1 year experience. Examples of acceptable documentation may include:

•  A pesticide applicator's license from another US state; or

• Another type of NM applicator license (pest control operator, private applicator, public applicator, or noncommercial applicator) for at least 2 years; or

• A letter from an employer describing your duties with regards to pesticide use in the course of employment.

This experience requirement can also be met by successfully completing one of several specific distance education courses offered by Purdue, Colorado State, etc. These are formal college courses that require tuition payment and take several months to complete. Contact NMDA for more information.

Commercial Applicators become certified by passing exams covering general pesticide information, NM laws and rules, and at least one specific application category. License holders in other US states may apply to have some certifications recognized by NMDA and may only need to pass the NM laws test.

Commercial Applicators must also provide proof of financial responsibility in the form of a liability insurance policy or a surety bond. The minimum coverage required is $25,000 each aggregate bodily injury and property damage for ground applications and $50,000 each aggregate bodily injury and property damage for aerial applications. See 21.17.50.22 NMAC for details. 

To become licensed as a Commercial Applicator an individual must:

1.  Complete a Commercial Applicator license application form

2. Document acceptable pesticide application education/experience

3. Pass the General Pesticide Use/Safety and Laws & Rules exams and at least one Pest Control Category exam 

4. Provide proof of financial responsibility 

If an individual qualifies for a Commercial Applicator license based on his application form and education/experience, he will be notified that he can sign up to take the certification exams. Exams are administered regularly around the state. A list of recommended study materials and a study guide are available from NMDA.

After the applicant has passed all the required exams he must provide proof of financial responsibility and pay the license fee of $50.

COMMERCIAL OPERATOR LICENSE

Commercial Operators are employees of Commercial Applicators who apply pesticides. Any employee of a Commercial Applicator who applies any pesticides, whether or not the pesticide is classified as Restricted, must be licensed.

Commercial Operators must pass written exams covering general pesticide information and NM laws and rules but do not take Category exams. To be licensed as a Commercial Operator an individual must:

1. Complete a license application for Operator/Technician. This form must be signed by the Commercial Applicator employer

2. Pass the General Pesticide and Laws & Rules exams

3. The Commercial Applicator employer then submits the license fee of $25.

Commercial Operators may only perform the types of pest control in which their Commercial Applicator employer is certified.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WOOD-DESTROYING PEST CONTROL (Category 7D)

Any Commercial Applicator who wishes to apply pesticides for the control of wood destroying organisms (primarily termites) must document one year of specific WDO experience and attend four hours of approved training before he is eligible to take the Wood Destroying Pest Control Category exam (Category 7D). Commercial Operators must also attend approved training and pass a Wood Destroying Pest Control exam before they can perform any WDO pest control.

In addition, any person who wishes to conduct inspections for wood destroying organisms must be licensed as a Commercial Applicator, Commercial Operator, or Pest Management Consultant and must be certified in Category 7D.

PUBLIC APPLICATOR LICENSE

Public Applicators are individuals who work for a government agency and whose duties include applying pesticides. Public Applicators are not required to pay testing or licensing fees, but must pass the General Pesticide exam, the Laws & Rules exam, and category exams for any type of pest control they will be doing.

To apply, complete the Public Applicator form and pass the required exams.

NONCOMMERCIAL APPLICATOR LICENSE

Noncommercial Applicators are individuals who use pesticides only on their property or their employer's property. Examples of noncommercial applicators are owners or managers of apartment complexes or other property, nursery growers, etc. Noncommercial Applicators must meet the same requirements as Commercial Applicators except for the financial responsibility requirement. To apply, complete the Noncommercial Applicator form, pass all required exams, and pay the license fee of $50.

Noncommercial Applicators may NOT apply pesticides commercially.

PEST MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT LICENSE

Pest Management Consultants (PMCs) are individuals who are certified to provide recommendations and advice for using restricted use pesticides. PMCs may NOT apply pesticides. Home inspectors who wish to inspect property for termites and other wood destroying pests may be licensed as PMCs with the 7D category. Agricultural consultants and employees of pesticide dealers who provide recommendations for using pesticides but never actually apply pesticides may also hold this license. To apply, fill out and submit the Pest Management Consultant application form.

DEALER LICENSE

Pesticide Dealers are individuals who sell restricted use pesticides. A business that sells restricted use pesticides must have a Dealer license for each sales outlet in the state. Out-of-state businesses that distribute restricted use pesticides in New Mexico must license their principle out-of-state location or outlet. The completed Dealer License application form must be sent in with the $50 license fee. For information on Dealer responsibilities, download this brochure (pdf).