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The #FridayFive has led to the #FridayFifteen, and now we have all fifty states’ licensing requirements for you on this fine Friday.
Wow. That was a lot.
Anyways, I’m back today with not just five, but fifteen states and their licensing requirements for 25(b) exempt products. So far, I have written on 35 states, so I finally have the answers to all 50 states. If this is the first blog of the series that you’ve came across, I’ve been collecting the answers to all 50 states for our most commonly asked question: “Do I need a license to commercially apply natural products in my state?” If you would like a brief overview of all the states and what I’ve discovered over the course of this project, check out this 5 minute video!
If you don’t have time to watch the video, no big deal, I’ve got all the answers right here. Also, don’t forget we have a complete list on our website of all 50 states and their requirements, so if your state is not listed below, it will be listed here!
As a final reminder, your state and local regulators are the only people who can give you the definitive correct answer as to which license is required. Use this blog and our webpage as guidance to help you investigate your relevant laws, regulations, and rules.
Let’s finish up this blog series with the remaining 15 states!
Colorado
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Colorado?
Yes, anyone applying pesticides, including 25(b) products, for hire needs to have a commercial applicator’s license in the state of Colorado. To easily apply for a license, visit the Pesticide Applicator Licensing Online Portal.
Contact Neal Kittelson, the Pesticide Applicator Coordinator, at 303-869-9063 for questions.
Massachusetts
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Massachussets?
This one is a tad bit complicated. As of right now (February 18th, 2022) you do not need a license to apply 25(b) products on a property of another for hire. However, the state is in the process of changing that rule. It is unknown when the law will officially be changed, but be aware of possible changes.
For questions, contact one of Massachusett’s Pesticide Inspectors, Laurie Rocco, at laurie.rocco@state.ma.us.
Nevada
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Nevada?
Yes, individuals who apply pesticides for hire (including 25(b) products) need to be licensed with the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Even though 25(b) products are considered minimum risk, they are still conducting pest control which includes soliciting and detecting.
Here are the specific statutes that state this rule.
NRS 555.280 License as applicator required for natural persons to engage in pest control. A natural person, including, without limitation, any consultant, demonstrator, researcher or specialist, shall not engage in pest control or serve as an agent, operator, pilot, primary principal, location principal or principal for that purpose within this State at any time without a license as an applicator issued by the Director.
NRS 555.2667 “Pest control” defined. “Pest control” means conducting as a function of the agency, in the case of a city, county, state or other governmental agency, or publicly holding oneself out as being in the business of detecting, preventing, controlling or exterminating pests or otherwise engaging in, advertising or soliciting for:
1. The use of pesticides or mechanical devices for the extermination, control or prevention of infestations of pests.
2. The inspection of households or other structures and the submission of reports of inspection, estimates or bids, written or oral, for the inspection, extermination, control or prevention of wood-destroying pests.
New Mexico
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in New Mexico?
New Mexico requires that you have a license if you are going to be applying pesticides commercially. The type of license and category you will need depends on the type of work that you will be performing.
Visit the New Mexico Dept. of Agriculture’s site for Pesticide Licensing Types and Certification Categories.
North Dakota
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, a pesticide is defined as anything used to kill, control, or mitigate pests. If you are applying the pesticide for hire, then you will need certification.
Like several states, you will go through a training and test requirement before receiving your license. It also must be issued in a certain category, depending on what you are treating.
For information on how to become a certified applicator or dealer in North Dakota, please contact Andrew Thostenson at (701) 231-7180 or https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension/pesticides.
Ohio
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Ohio?
The Buckeye State requires you to have a license to apply a 25(b) product when making a pesticide application for hire. A firm would need to have a Pesticide Business License and employ at least one licensed Commercial Applicator (in the proper use categories).
To view all the pesticide Laws & Rules in Ohio, click here.
Oregon
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Oregon?
Like several other states, any pesticide application, be it “natural”, over the counter, or otherwise requires a license for application on someone else’s property.
For a simple explanation and contact information, visit this page on the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s website.
South Dakota
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in South Dakota?
Regardless of the type of pesticide in South Dakota, if one will be applying this product for hire, a commercial applicator’s license is needed.
You are considered a commercial applicator if you:
- Engage in the business of applying pesticides to the lands of another;
- Advertise as being in the business of applying pesticides to the lands of another at any time;
- Apply pesticides while in the performance of duties as a governmental employee; or
- Otherwise act as a commercial applicator.
Tennessee
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Tennessee?
Yes. In Tennessee a certified applicator license is required to apply any pesticide commercially. This license would need to be issued under a certain category depending what you are treating. Visit this page on the TN Dept. of Agriculture’s website for all the information you need to know about licensing in Tennessee.
Utah
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Utah?
You will need a license. It may sound like I’m repeating myself, but to apply any pesticide commercially in Utah, a license is required.
For more information on commercial applicator licenses in Utah, click here.
Vermont
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Vermont?
Yep. Regardless of the type of pesticide, 25(b) or not, if you are applying it for hire you will need a license.
Vermont’s Applicator Types and Resources gives you all the information you need to know!
Washington
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Washington?
In Washington State, you will need a license. If you will be applying pesticides to the land or property of another, you will either need a Commercial Applicator or Commercial Operator license.
Visit this page on the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s page for excellent details on everything you need!
West Virginia
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in West Virginia?
The State of West Virginia states that if you are going to be applying a pesticide of any kind on someone else’s property or public property, you will need to be certified. Specifically, you would need a commercial applicator’s certification.
Pesticide Applicator Licensing & Certification Requirements have the details on what license you would specifically need. If that doesn’t answer your question, you can find contact information and several more links on the Department of Agriculture’s website!
Wisconsin
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Wisconsin?
The simple answer is yes in Wisconsin. To commercially apply any pesticides, including 25(b), you need to be certified and licensed.
If you are applying in a landscape setting, you would need the license to be under category 5.0 (Mosquito and Aquatic) and 3.0 (Turf and Landscape).
Click here to purchase training manuals. Then, once you have studied and you are ready to take the exam, you can follow this link to schedule an exam. On that page, you can also find a link to schedule a computer based exam for a $45 fee if you choose to go that route.
Finally, once you are certified, you can then apply for a license.
For any questions, email the Wisconsin DATCP.
Wyoming
Do I need a license to apply 25(b) – Natural products – for commercial services in Wyoming?
Finally, in Wyoming you will also need a license. Any type of pesticide application, when doing it as a service, requires a license.
For information on obtaining your Commercial Applicator’s license, check out the Pesticide Safety Education Program.
Share your thoughts on these states’ requirements, or add any questions/comments in the comments section below! Also, feel free to let us know if you see any errors in factual information.
Well, that’s it! I have written about all 50 states and their licensing requirements. Thanks for following along. Let us know if you have any questions, and good luck getting your license if you choose to do so!
