Initial Certification via Reciprocity Details

Obtaining the Certification

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

1. YOU MUST BE CURRENTLY CERTIFIED IN YOUR STATE OF RESIDENCY. (Maryland residents cannot apply for reciprocity.)

2. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have at least one year of FULL TIME PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE in the category, or subcategories, of pest control in which certification is being sought. 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.

3. Applications must be completely filled out or they will be returned to the applicant.

4. References must be given who can verify your experience in the field of pest control for which you are applying.

5. 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.

6. A copy of a current certificate must be included with the application as well as the phone number of the state lead agency responsible for certification and licensing.

7. A copy of the applicant's driver's license from the state of residency must be included with the application.

8. If a certificate has been canceled or suspended by the issuing state, the applicant cannot apply for reciprocity.

9. The fee for certification is $75 for the first category and $25 for each additional main category of pest control. The fee for a business license is an additional $150. DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT OF FEES UNTIL NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION APPROVAL HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

10. APPLICANTS MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH AND ABIDE BY ALL PERTINENT PESTICIDE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, INCLUDING MARYLAND'S RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. Each certified applicator must attend recertification training each year between July 1 and June 30. Documentation of recertification training must be provided to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. REFER TO THE ENCLOSED REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE PESTICIDE APPLICATORS LAW FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

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

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