STEPS TO BECOMING A COMMERCIAL/NONCOMMERCIAL/NONCOMMERCIAL POLITICAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR

Step 1: Contact Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at www-aes.tamu.edu or (979) 845-3849, to obtain pesticide examination study manuals.

Step 2: Complete and submit an application for either a Commercial Pesticide Applicator (PA-401) or a Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator (PA-400N) and submit the license fee to TDA. These forms are available at TexasAgriculture.gov/Forms or by calling TDA at (800) 835-5832. The application is also available online at the TDA eApply: Licensing.TexasAgriculture.gov
o Commercial Pesticide Applicator License Fee = $200/year
o Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator License Fee = $140/year
o Noncommercial Political Subdivision Pesticide Applicator License Fee = $75/year

Step 3: When the license application is processed, TDA will send the applicant a letter in the mail with their Account Number. This Account Number will be the number the applicator will use to register and schedule exam(s) with Metro.

Step 4: Applicants can go to Metrosignup.com to schedule exams. For assistance or support call (877) 533-2900 or by email at support@metroinstitute.com.
o An applicant must pass the General Standards exam and at least one category exam to be issued a license. The aerial category must be accompanied by at least one additional category.
o The applicant will pay $64 per exam.
o There is a 24-hour waiting period to take a repeat exam.

Step 5: Upon completion of the exam, the testing center will provide test results immediately. A passing grade is 70% or higher.

Step 6: Metro will send exam scores to TDA daily. If all licensing criteria are met, TDA will issue the license.

Important: If an applicant has any questions about licensing or categories, please contact TDA at (800) 835-5832 or email: pesticides@TexasAgriculture.gov