Introduction

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized updated certification and training regulations for pesticide applicators in 2017. This was done to improve safety and minimize environmental risk of the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs). Each state had to submit a certification and training plan November 2023 to be approved by the EPA. Montana's plan has been approved and was written into the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) in January 2025. 

The changes outlined on this page will go into affect January 1, 2026. At that time active private applicator license holders will be grandfathered into the private applicator general permit in existing recertification cycles and category exams will be available for applicators needing a category added to their permit. Additionally, noncertified applicators will need to meet training requirements before working under a certified applicator's permit.

Contents

 

Major Updates

Private Applicator Certification

Montana private applicators who hold a valid license in January 2026 will be grandfathered into the Private Farm General Permit for Agricultural Pest Control (referred to as the private applicator permit) and will follow the existing five-year recertification cycle.

Certification of private applicators after January 2026 will have the same options available now including an exam or non-test option in the form of an Initial Private Applicator Training.

Private Applicator Permit Categories

Starting January 2026 applicators who hold a valid private applicator permit and apply pesticides in the following manners will need to obtain permit categories to buy and apply these pesticides. Categories will follow the same five-year recertification cycles as the private applicator general permit. Each category may be renewed by attaining three continuing education credits by the permit expiration date or by taking a closed book exam during the last year of the cycle.

Only private applicators with active private applicator endorsements in January 2026 in aquatic pest control, M-44 control, or 1080 livestock collar control will be grandfathered into having a category associated with their Private Farm General Permit.

Private Aquatic Pest Control

This category is for applicators who apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs) to standing or running water. Applicators looking to obtain this category will need to purchase the Aquatic Pest Control Manual and pass an open-book exam at an MSU Extension office.

Private Farm Aerial Pest Control

This category is for applicators who apply RUPs by aircraft or drone or unmanned aerial vehicles. Applicators looking to obtain this category will need to purchase the Aerial Applicator's Manual and pass an open-book exam at an MSU Extension office.

Private Non-Soil Fumigation

This category is for applicators who apply restricted use fumigants to agricultural structures or burrows on agricultural land to manage insects or rodents. Applicators looking to obtain this category will need to purchase the Non-Soil Agricultural Fumigationi Manual for Private Applicators and pass an open-book exam at an MSU Extension office.

Private Farm M-44 Sodium Cyanide Control

This category is for applicators who apply or use sodium cyanide in mechanical ejection devices to control predators. Applicators looking to obtain this category will need to purchase the M-44 Training Manual and pass a closed book exam proctored by the MDA. This category requires additional training with the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA). 

Private Farm 1080 Livestock Collar Control

This category is for applicators who use sodium fluoroacetate in protective collars to control predators. Applicators looking to obtain this category will need to purchase the relevant manual and pass a closed book exam proctored by the MDA. This category requires additional training with the MDA. 

Noncertified Applicator Training

A certified private applicator may supervise the application of restricted Use pesticides (RUP) by noncertified family and employees. Employees must be at least 18 years of age, while family members must be at least 16 years of age. The minimum age exception does not apply to family members if the RUP is a fumigant, sodium cyanide, sodium fluoroacetate, or applied aerially. 

Noncertified applicators must be trained annually with records of training kept for five years. MSU PEP recommends the certified private applicator presents the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Agricultural Handler training to noncertified applicators they are supervising to meet the annual training requirement. This 38-minute video is available online through the Pesticide Education Resource Council (PERC). For additional training options and requirements please contact MSU PEP.

When supervising applicators the certifying applicator must provide safe working conditions, access to the label and be in communication with the supervised applicator no more than 100 miles away.

 

Category Manuals

All category manuals are currently available for purchase and study. Exams will not be available until after January 1, 2026. 

The manual for the non-soil fumigation category can be purchased on the MSU Extension Store, or you can call the MSU Extension Distribution Center at (406) 994-3273 and ask for publication EB0229 titled "Non-Soil Agricultural Fumigation Manual for Private Applicators."

All other category manuals can be purchased online from the MDA. You will need to create an online account or login with an existing Okta account. Use the "Add Item" button to select the relevant manuals listed below. You can alternatively call the MDA at (406) 444-3732 to purchase the manuals.

  • Aquatic - Pesticide Manual #36 Aquatic Pest 
  • Aerial - Pesticide Manual #21 Aerial
  • M-44 Sodium cyanide - Pesticide Manual #43 Sodium Cyanide/M44 and #51 Gov Predator

 

News

 

FAQ's

No. The majority of private applicators needing a category will need to test. Only private applicators with existing, active endorsements in aquatic pest control, M-44 control, or 1080 livestock collar control will be grandfathered into having a category associated with their Private Farm General Permit.

No. The private applicator permit fee remains $60 for a five year cycle. There is no fee associated with adding a category. 

If you have met recertification criteria to keep your license active for the next five-year recertification cycle your license will be grandfathered into the private applicator permit. This means you will need to have six recertification credits before the expiration date of 12/31/2025 or you will need to take the recertification exam at an Extension office in 2025. Remember to send in your renewal paperwork to keep your license active.

Category exams will be available after January 1, 2026. Contact your local PAT Coordinator for details.

Have noncertified applicators working under your license watch the EPA approved WPS Worker and Handler training. Do this annually and keep records of the training.

No. You must take the relevant category exam. 

 

Contact and More Information

For more information on these changes please contact Cecil Tharp (406-994-5067, [email protected]) or Amy Bowser (406-994-5178, [email protected]). 

 

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