The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has increased standards of certification and training of pesticide applicators in the US to improve safety and decrease risk. These changes took effect in January 2026 and impact all pesticide license holders in Montana. Below is a summary of updates to the Montana Private Applicator Training Program.
Private Applicator General Permit
The Montana private applicator license is now called the Private Applicator General Permit. Anyone holding a valid license on January 1, 2026, continued their existing five-year recertification cycle and are not required to retest. This permit allows individuals to apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs) on land they or their employers own, rent or lease for the purpose of growing an agricultural commodity. It does not include RUPs within the categories of aquatic, aerial, non-soil fumigation, M-44, or 1080 livestock protection collars.
Certification
To obtain a Private Applicator General Permit, applicators may attend an Initial Private Applicator Training or take an exam. Initial trainings increased from seven to eight hours of instruction with added and revised topics. Initial exams remain open book with a 70% passing score. If certification has lapsed applicators taking the exam within 12 months of their permit expiration must take a closed book exam with a 70% passing score. To prepare for the exam an applicator must study the 2014 National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual (2nd Edition) and the 2026 Montana Private Pesticide Certification Addendum (4th Edition).
Pesticide applicators seeking a Private Applicator General Permit may contact their local Montana State University (MSU) Extension office to schedule an exam, or check the MSU Pesticide Education Program (PEP) Event Page for initial training opportunities.
Recertification
To maintain certification applicators must earn six continuing education credits (CECs) or pass a closed book exam prior to their permit expiration date. A few exceptions exist:
- Individuals certified in the last year of the cycle do not need CECs.
- Individuals certified after June 30 of the third year of the cycle need only three CECs.
New Private Applicator Categories
Private applicators applying RUPs in certain ways must obtain the appropriate category in addition to their Private Applicator General Permit. Applicators with existing sub-categories on January 1, 2026, in aquatic pest control, M-44 control, or 1080 livestock protection collar were grandfathered into the corresponding category. All others must pass the required exam to add a category.
Private Aquatic Pest Control
This category applies to RUP applications to standing or running water. Applicators must purchase the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) Aquatic Pest Control Manual and pass an open book exam at an MSU Extension office with a 70% score.
Private Farm 1080 Livestock Collar Control
This category applies to the use of sodium fluoroacetate livestock protection collars for predator control. Applicators must purchase the relevant MDA manual and pass a closed book exam with an 80% score at an MDA field office. In addition, applicators must complete category-specific training with the MDA Vertebrate Pest Specialist.
Private Farm M-44 Sodium Cyanide Control
This category applies to using sodium cyanide in mechanical ejection devices for predator control. Applicators must purchase the MDA M-44 Training Manual and pass a closed book exam with an 80% score at an MDA field office. In addition, the applicator must complete category-specific training with the MDA Vertebrate Pest Specialist.
Private Non-Soil Fumigation
This category applies to restricted use fumigants used to manage insects in agricultural structures or rodents in burrows on agricultural land. Applicators must purchase the Non-Soil Agricultural Fumigation Manual for Private Applicators and pass an open book exam at an MSU Extension office with a 70% score.
Private Farm Aerial Pest Control
This category applies to RUP applications made by aircraft, drone or unmanned aerial vehicles. Applicators must purchase the MDA Aerial Applicator’s Manual and pass an open book exam at an MSU Extension office with a 70% score.
Recertification of Categories
Categories follow the same five-year recertification cycles as the Private Applicator General Permit. To remain certified in a category, applicators must earn three CECs specific to that category in addition to the CECs required for the general permit by the expiration date. Alternatively, applicators may pass a closed book exam during the final year of the cycle.
Manual Purchase
Core and non-soil fumigation manuals can be purchased online through the MSU Extension Store or by calling (406) 994-3273.
- 2014 National Pesticide Certification Core Manual – 2nd Edition (4509CM)
- 2026 Montana Private Pesticide Certification Addendum (4509AD)
- Non-Soil Agricultural Fumigation Manual for Private Applicators (EB0229)
All other categorical manuals are available from the MDA online or call (406) 444-3732.
Permit Fees
Private applicator permit fees remain the same at $12 per year or $60 per five-year recertification cycle. Added categories do not have an associated fee.
Minimum Age
Private applicators must be at least 18 years old. A family member exemption exists for non-certified applicators working under the supervision of a family member who holds an active Private Applicator General Permit. This exception does not apply to non-family members, restricted use fumigants, sodium cyanide (M-44), sodium fluoroacetate (1080), or aerial applications.
Supervising Applicators Under a Private Applicator Permit
Noncertified applicators, including employees and family members, working under a certified private applicator must meet specific requirements and receive annual training from the permit holder or a certified trainer. Training records must be kept for five years. When supervising noncertified applicators, the certifying applicator must provide safe working conditions, ensure access to the pesticide label and maintain communication during application.
MSU PEP recommends using the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Agricultural Handler training video available through the Pesticide Education Resource Council to meet annual training requirements.
For More Information
For more information regarding these changes see the MontGuide titled The Montana Private Applicator Program. For questions about these changes, contact Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist (406-994-5067, ctharp@montana.edu) or Amy Bowser, Private Applicator Certification and Training Manager (406-994-5178, amy.bowser@montana.edu) with the MSU Extension Pesticide Education Program.
To schedule exams, contact your local PAT Coordinator. For private applicator licensing questions contact Samantha Novak, MDA Licensing (406-444-5471, samantha.novak2@mt.gov), or Kyra Allison Wright, MDA Licensing (406-444-3691, k.allison-wright@mt.gov), for all other license questions.
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MSU Extension – 2026
