As an Extension employee and Montana county or tribal Private Applicator Training (PAT) Coordinator you are required to obtain a government pesticide license from the state of Montana within six months of your hire date. The government pesticide license must be obtained prior to giving pesticide recommendations; however, a PAT Coordinator will be permitted to deliver pesticide education presentations and access all PAT Coordinator benefits (if other required trainings are completed) during an initial six-month grace period.

Benefits of being a PAT Coordinator include licensing applicators, proctoring exams, accessing mtplants applicator lists, accessing PAT funds, and delivering pesticide recommendations and pesticide education presentations.

License Types and Categories

You will need to obtain your government license with the assistance of the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) who certifies all pesticide license holders in Montana except for Private Applicators. You will need to pass two exams to obtain your license: a core exam and a category exam. PAT Coordinators will need a category in Agricultural Plant Pest Control. In addition, you will automatically be given a Demonstration and Research category which does not require an exam but does require continuing education credits to renew.

More information on government pesticide licensing and categories may be found on the MDA website at: https://agr.mt.gov/Pesticide-License-Program.

How to Obtain a License

  1. Contact your local MDA District Officer to get the proper manuals for the core and category exams. The District Officer will also proctor your exams.
  2. Pass the core and category exams with an 80% or better at an MDA District Office.
  3. Complete an application form with both the “Agricultural Plant Pest” and “Demonstration and Research” categories checked.
  4. MSU Extension employees are not required to pay an initial or recurrent license fee as it is covered as an organizational fee by MSU Extension administration. You will need to put an account number on the application which can be obtained from the MDA or the MSU Pesticide Education Program.

Core Training Opportunities

The MDA hosts optional in person and online Core Trainings annually to prepare participants for the commercial and government core certification exam. Information can be found online at: https://agr.mt.gov/Pesticide-Training-Recertification-Program.

Recertifying your License and Credits

You are responsible for renewing your government pesticide license annually by obtaining the required continuing education credits. You must get 12 continuing education credits every four years per category to keep your license active. Categories may have differing recertification schedules. Look up your license expiration dates online using the MDA License Search. Many events offer credits including events you will host, conferences, webinars, trainings, and other events. Use the MDA Course Locator Tool to look up courses available for credits.

License Renewal and Fees

You must submit your renewal paperwork annually to the MDA. You will receive instructions from MSU PEP at the end of the year regarding payment of fees and using the proper account number. Do not submit your renewal application or pay a license fee prior to receiving this information.

Letting your License Lapse

If you allow your government pesticide license to lapse you will need to take steps to regain your license as soon as possible. Keep in mind during this period you may not give pesticide recommendations from your office or through presentations.

Back to Top