Any pesticide which is applied for a fee and any restricted use pesticide must be applied by or under the supervision of a licensed Pesticide Applicator who is reasonably available. In some instances, special regulations on the pesticide label may require that the licensed applicator be physically present or apply the pesticide himself. Restricted use pesticides can be purchased only by a licensed Pesticide Applicator or someone under his supervision. Each business location that is engaged in applying pesticides for hire must have a Pesticide Contractor's License and at least one licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator employed full-time. Licenses are granted by the Entomology and Pesticide Division of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
This is a company license required of anyone engaged in the business of applying pesticides to the lands of another and does not qualify any applicators to apply or supervise the application of pesticides. Proof of financial responsibility and an annual license fee of $15.00 are required. Each contractor must have at least one Commercial Pesticide Applicator in full-time employment during periods of pesticide applications.
This license is required if you want to apply a restricted use pesticide and you do not qualify as a private applicator. If you work for or as a licensed Pesticide Contractor applying any pesticide to the lands of another you must have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License, unless you work under the supervision of someone else who is licensed. It does not permit you to charge a fee unless you also have a Pesticide Contractor's License. Restricted use pesticide applications and purchases must be confined to only those categories for which you are authorized by your license.
To obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License, you must pass an examination on the manual, "Apply Pesticides Correctly," plus the appropriate categorical manual.
Commercial Applicators must earn a required number of recertification credits every five years or be reexamined.
Recertification credits may be earned by attending educational meetings which are approved by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. A booklet, "Training Sources for Recertifying Georgia Pesticide Applicators," which lists most of the meetings at which recertification credits may be earned will be sent to licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicators each year. The certification categories and the number of recertification credits required every five years are listed as follows:
| Category | Hours of Credit Required Every 5 Years |
| Plant Agriculture Pest Control* | 10 |
| Animal Agriculture Pest Control | 6 |
| Forest Pest Control | 6 |
| Ornamental and Turf Pest Control | 10 |
| Seed Treatment | 6 |
| Aquatic Pest Control | 6 |
| Right-of-Way Pest Control | 6 |
| Public Health Pest Control | 10 |
| Regulatory Pest Control | 6 |
| Industrial, Institutional, Structural, & Health Related Pest Control | 6 |
| Wood Treatment | 6 |
| Anti-microbial Application | 6 |
| Ag. Commodity Fumigation* | 6 |
| Demonstration and Research | 0 |
| Aerial Application Authorization | 0 |
| Antifoulant Paints | 6 |
*Soil fumigation is covered by Plant Agriculture Pest Control. Ag. Commodity Fumigation covers fumigation of food, feed, seed, and plant materials including cut flowers.
This license authorizes, or certifies, you to purchase and use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides to produce an agricultural or forestry commodity. All applications on property that is not owned or rented by you or your employer must be done as a personal favor or as an exchange of personal services. No fee can be charged with a private applicators license.
You can obtain a Private Pesticide Applicator's License by attending a special training course provided by your county extension office, or take an examination from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. To keep your license you must earn three hours of recertification credit every five years. Otherwise you will have to attend another training course provided by your county extension office or pass an examination from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Recertification credits can be earned by attending certain grower's meetings given by the county extension office and also by attending short courses and other meetings that are approved by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Entomology and Pesticide Division.