Idaho Pesticide Licensing and Certification
About 5 of every 50 questions on a Idaho Core Competency practice exam come from this topic.
Sources checked
What to know
Idaho's Pesticides and Chemigation Act is run by the Idaho Department of Agriculture (ISDA). A professional applicator applies pesticides on another's property for pay or offers advice on agricultural pesticide use; a private applicator uses restricted use pesticides (RUPs) to grow crops on owned or rented land, or trades labor with another producer. Applicants must be at least 18. Every professional applicator passes the Applicator Core Competency (CO) exam or competency training plus a category, at 70 percent; exams are proctored by ISDA staff or an authorized agent and closed book, even during breaks, may be retaken after one day, and scores last twelve months. Under the July 1, 2026 rules, licenses run five years (current holders switch after their next renewal): professional periods start the January 1 after licensing and need 40 credits (one per 50 minutes, no carry-over, none for initial training); private periods end March 31 and need 15. Late renewal is allowed for twelve months, and recertifying by exam means CO plus every category. The two-year, non-renewable apprentice license covers general use pesticides only, excludes AA, AU, NS and SF, and can't supervise; a supervisor in the needed categories may oversee two apprentices at once. Lapsed financial responsibility suspends a license automatically, and reduced coverage is reported in writing immediately. Exemptions include non-RUP work for oneself, small hand-powered lawn businesses, non-RUP research plots and janitorial Warning or Caution products. GUP-only sellers need no dealer license, licenses aren't transferable, and license actions follow a hearing.
Where it comes from
- Idaho Code §§ 22-3401, 22-3404
- Idaho Code §§ 22-3409, 22-3410, 22-3422
- IDAPA 02.03.03.100 (July 1, 2026 text)
- IDAPA 02.03.03.010.07, 02.03.03.150, 02.03.03.151
- IDAPA 02.03.03.200, 02.03.03.250, 02.03.03.400.02
Try a practice question
When Idaho's Pesticides and Chemigation Act says a license is issued by "the department," which agency does it mean?
- AThe Idaho Department of Agriculture
- BThe Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
- CThe Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- DThe University of Idaho Extension
Show the answer
The Idaho Department of Agriculture. The Act defines "department" as the Idaho department of agriculture (ISDA).
Idaho Code § 22-3401(8)