Initial Certification (Consultant) Details

Obtaining the License

Ready to get your license? - Steps, Requirements, and Documents

1. Each applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have one year of experience acceptable to the Department as a FULL-TIME REGISTERED EMPLOYEE engaged in those categories in which the applicant seeks to be certified. In lieu of the experience requirement, a degree or academic certificate in a biological field of study (i.e., biology, agronomy, horticulture, etc.) or a combination of education and experience may be acceptable to the Department.

2. Applications for examinations must be submitted at least one month prior to the examination date.

3. Examinations will be given bimonthly. A schedule of exam dates is available.

4. THE CERTIFICATION APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT OR IT WILL BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT.

5. Under “Duties” on page 2 of the application, the applicant should describe specifically the type of pest control work performed and the pesticides applied. If applying on Degree, applicant should describe what type of pest control you will be performing.

6. References must be able to verify qualifications and experience in the field of pest control for which the applicant is applying.

7. NOTICE: Each applicant must include a “Verification Of Pesticide Application Experience” form(s) (Attached) with the certification application. A total of twelve months of experience must be verified by the applicator's current or former certified applicator who supervised the applicant's pest control, or consulting, activities. For example, if the applicant worked for one company for three months, and nine months for another, two verification forms must be submitted. If the applicant has worked for one company for 12 months, only one form must be submitted. AN APPLICANT MAY NOT SIGN HIS OR HER OWN EXPERIENCE FORM. Education - If basing application off of education, a transcript of college or university credits must be submitted instead of the Experience form. Copies of transcripts obtained from the internet will not be accepted.

8. Certification as a Pest Control Consultant is based on the categories of pest control that an applicant will be providing pest identification, pest control or pesticide recommendation services.

9. A copy of the Regulations pertaining to the Maryland Pesticide Applicators Law is enclosed. Applicant must be sure to have a copy of the Regulations because it is part of the test material.

10. You are responsible for purchasing your own study material. See the attached list of suppliers for obtaining study material.

11. A letter will be sent verifying the approval of your application.

12. A registration notice for the upcoming exam session will be issued. The notice will list dates and locations of the next exam sessions.

13. Applications will be kept on file for one year. If an applicant has not taken the certification examination within twelve months of submitting the application, the application will be discarded.

14. Please call the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Regulation Section at (410)841-5710 for further information or assistance with completing the application.