OK Pesticide Applicator

Applicator certification requires at least two written examinations: the Core exam, covering equipment, safety, laws and knowledge required in all categories, plus the category exam for the work you intend to do. A few categories also require a practical exam. If you are a service technician moving up to certified applicator, the Core exam is still required.

An applicant must attain a satisfactory score of 70% or above to pass any written exam. For the Private Applicator exam, a score of 70% or better is required. Aim well above the cut score in practice so that a bad section on test day does not push you under.

Examinations are $92, which includes initial certification (the Core test), categories, and service technicians. The Private Applicator exam is $62, with a $20 Private Applicator license renewal. Other charges are separate, such as $10 for a duplicate license or certificate and $100 per category for reciprocal certification.

If an applicant fails, they must retest and pay the $62 fee. Plan your study time so this is a one-time cost, since each attempt carries the full exam fee. Applicants send the completed application form to ODAFF once they successfully pass the Private Applicator exam.

No. The Core exam is not required to become a service technician. A service technician takes the service technician examination, and after satisfactory completion is issued an identification card. The application for that ID card must be submitted to ODAFF by the licensed employer along with the required $20.00 per card fee.

The practical exam must be taken within twelve (12) months of passing the written examination. Failure to pass the practical within that period requires retaking the written exam. The practical exams for General Pest (7A), Structural Pest/Termite (7B) and Fumigation (7C) are performed at OSU in Stillwater.

Each category recertifies on a five (5) year schedule, and the clock is not based on the date you were individually certified, so everyone in a category recertifies together. You can recertify by retaking the written test for each category, or by collecting enough Continuing Education Units in the category.

Each recertification procedure is listed at $50 by continuing education units or $92 by retest. When you calculate CEUs for recertification, do not count the year you most recently became certified, because CEUs accrued during the year of certification do not count toward recertification.

Test sessions are regularly scheduled at various locations around Oklahoma and appointments must be made through Pearson VUE. Bring photo identification showing your name and identification number; handouts and necessary materials are provided at the site. Study materials may be obtained from the Oklahoma State University Central Mailing Service, with order forms available from Consumer Protection Services.

Not on the exam card alone. The certification card is not a license to do pesticide work; a pesticide business license must be obtained by any certified applicator wishing to do commercial, non-commercial or consultant work, or by the employer. Commercial business licenses run $100 per category, capped at $500 per year.