What is a private applicator?

A Private Applicator uses or supervises the use of any restricted use pesticide
for producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented or on the
property of another person if applied without compensation.

Who needs a private applicator permit?

  • Farmers
  • Nursery Owners
  • Pond Owners
  • Forested Land Owners

Who needs a private applicator permit?

The private applicator study materials can be picked up at your local county
Extension office, downloaded, or ordered at the ACES Store website.

  • Must be able to read and comprehend the subject matter in English—no tests are given orally.
  • Must obtain a passing grade of 70 percent or higher on the test.
  • Must successfully complete training and testing, then submit an application for a permit.

Contacts - Permit Related

Dorothy Gresham
(334) 240-7286
dorothy.gresham@agi.alabama.gov

Barbara Gates
(334) 240-7240
barbara.gates@agi.alabama.gov

If you have issues with the ACES website, please call ACES at 334-844-8832.


How to Obtain a Private Applicator License

Option #1

Cost: $20*

  • Contact your Local Cooperative Extension Office to register for the next training course available.
  • Statewide training/testing dates will be January 1–September 30 of each year.
  • No training courses will be offered October 1st–December 31 of any year.
  • See our Extension training section for more information.
  • The link to the courses offered in 2022 is 2024 Private Pesticide Applicator Training Classes

Option #2

Cost: $10*

  • If unable to attend a training session, applicants shall secure the appropriate training manual, permit application, and schedule a testing date with the nearest Cooperative Extension System Office.
  • See our Extension training section for more information.
  • The link to the Alabama county extension offices is https://www.aces.edu/counties/

Option #3

Cost: $60* ($25 Permit Fee Included)
The direct link to the online training (Option
#3) is 2024 Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Exam. Once you have completed your online training, please print your certification of completion and private applicator application and submit it to the address listed on the application (email or US mail). If you should encounter issues with the website and/or printing the application or certificate of completion, please contact ACES at 334-844-8832. The website is created and maintained by ACES and the employees at ADAI are unable to assist with website issues.

To check on the status of a submitted application, please contact Dorothy Gresham at 334-240-7286 or via email at Dorothy.Gresham@agi.alabama.gov.