Texas pesticide license requirements
What you need to become a licensed pesticide applicator in Texas, verified against the Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Last updated 2026-06-15.
License types
- Commercial Applicator: Applies restricted-use, state-limited-use, or regulated-herbicide pesticides for hire or compensation. Annual license ($200/yr). Must pass General Standards plus at least one category.
- Noncommercial Applicator: Applies pesticides as a job duty for an employer (not for hire to the public). Annual license ($140/yr). Must pass General Standards plus at least one category.
- Private Applicator: Produces an agricultural commodity and applies to owned or rented land. Five-year license ($100). Requires the AgriLife Private Applicator Training course before testing.
The exams
Commercial, noncommercial, and noncommercial-political-subdivision applicants must pass the General Standards (core) exam AND at least one category exam. The Aerial category cannot stand alone. Private applicators take a single Private Applicator exam after completing the required training course. The General Standards (CORE) exam has 100 questions and a 2-hour limit, and you need 70% to pass.
Exams are administered by Metro Institute at in-person testing centers (the exam fee is $64 per exam, with a 24-hour wait before a retake).
License fees
- Commercial: $200 / year
- Noncommercial: $140 / year
- Noncommercial Political Subdivision (NCPS): $75 / year
- Private: $100 / 5 years
Eligibility
Commercial/noncommercial/NCPS applicants need no mandatory pre-exam course — apply to TDA, receive an account number, then schedule exams with Metro Institute. Private applicators must first complete the Texas A&M AgriLife Private Applicator Training course and submit a training-verification form.
Study manuals
Texas writes its exams to Texas A&M AgriLife (PSEP) study manuals — the General manual (AES-5073) and Laws & Regulations (AES-5056) — not the national PERC core manual. The PERC 3rd-edition core manual (2025) has not been adopted by Texas based on current official sources.
Official sources
- TDA Pesticide Programs
- Commercial / Noncommercial licensing
- Private Applicator license
- Schedule an exam (Metro Institute)
- AgriLife study manuals (order form)
- License categories
Verified 2026-06-15. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm with the Texas Department of Agriculture before relying on them. See our full source registry.