Louisiana Pesticide Licensing and Certification

About 5 of every 50 questions on a Louisiana General Standards practice exam come from this topic.

Sources checked November 10, 2026

What to know

LDAF says anyone who applies pesticides commercially is certified by passing the General Standards exam and at least one category exam, and that the General Standards exam covers FIFRA training requirements and the Louisiana Pesticide Laws and Regulations. Under LAC 7:XXIII.701, 70 percent passes, the director prepares exams with the Cooperative Extension Service, applicants must be at least 18, a failed candidate retests after filing a retest application, a candidate who failed a Louisiana exam can't get that category by reciprocity, and cheating means a zero and a three-year bar. The commissioner sets the passing score, fixes exam dates and may refuse late applicants (R.S. 3:3249), and may waive exams for states with substantially the same requirements (R.S. 3:3257). Commercial certification is needed to apply or supervise restricted use pesticides and is valid three years; uncertified people may make ground applications under direct supervision, but not aerial ones, and every aerial applicator must be certified. The supervisor is fully responsible and need not be present unless a rule requires it, noncertified applicators must meet 40 CFR 171.201 and have equipment training within 12 months, and first-time aerial applicators take an off-target course. Categories include Agricultural Fumigation (12). Renewal is by approved recertification training; a lapsed category means starting over. Owner-operators (ground or aerial, drones included) need a license running to December 31, a certified applicator, a bond or equal insurance (90 days' notice to cancel), and must report new hires before their first day. Dealers license each store, salespersons supervise clerks, field scouts register, government agencies aren't exempt, and sanctions (probation, suspension, revocation) follow an adjudicatory hearing.

Where it comes from

• LDAF, Commercial pesticide licensing
• LAC 7:XXIII.701, 711, 723
• 3:3242, 3:3243
• La. R.S. 3:3245, 3:3246, 3:3248, 3:3249
• La. R.S. 3:3252, 3:3256, 3:3257

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