PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the requirements for a certified private applicator license.

1. (1) Applicants for a certified private applicator license or certified provisional private applicator license shall—

   1. (A) Be of legal age;
   2. (B) Be a producer of agricultural commodities as defined in 2 CSR 70-25.010;
   3. (C) Present a valid, government-issued photo identification, or other form of similarly reliable identification approved by the director, as proof of identity and age at the time of the training program or examination to be eligible for certification or recertification;

   4. (D) Obtain certification in Category 20–General Agricultural Pest Control:

      1. 1. Applicants for a Certified Private Applicator license

shall also obtain certification in the following categories when required by the Act: Category 21–Soil Fumigation Pest Control, Category 22–Non-Soil Fumigation Pest Control, and Category 23–Aerial Pest Control.

1. 2. Applicants for a Certified Provisional Private Applicator

license are only eligible for certification in Category 20-General Agricultural Pest Control; and

1. (E) Meet one (1) of the following three (3) options for each required category:

   1. 1. Attend a private applicator certification training

program approved by the director as required by section 281.040, RSMo, and provided and presented by the University of Missouri Extension. The individual’s attendance of an approved private applicator certification training program and successful demonstration of competency in comprehending pesticide label and labeling directions for use shall be verified by the signature of the University of Missouri Extension instructor and the signature of the individual on a verification document provided by the director. The signed document shall be immediately forwarded to the Missouri Department of Agriculture as proof of attendance and evidence of successful demonstration of competency in comprehending pesticide label and labeling directions for use;

1. 2. Complete a private applicator online certification

training program approved by the director as required by section 281.040, RSMo, and provided and presented by the University of Missouri Extension. Immediately following the completion of an online private applicator certification training program, the University of Missouri Extension shall forward verification of the individual’s successful completion of the training program, including evidence of the individual’s demonstration of competency in comprehending pesticide label and labeling directions for use; or

1. 3. Pass the required private applicator category certifi-

cation examination(s) based on the standards of competence for Category 20–General Agricultural Pest Control, Category 21–Soil Fumigation Pest Control, Category 22–Non-Soil Fumigation Pest Control, and Category 23–Aerial Pest Control. Passing scores require at least seventy percent (70%).

AUTHORITY: section 281.040, RSMo Supp. 2024.* Original rule filed May 12, 1976, effective Oct. 21, 1976. Amended: Filed May 15, 2024, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

*Original authority: 281.040, RSMo 1974, amended 1977, 1988, 2005, 2021.