Private applicators must be licensed prior to purchasing and using a pesticide designated by the Department of Agriculture as a restricted use pesticide. To become certified for the first time, an applicator (initial applicator) has two options:

1. Complete the 50 question open book Montana Private Applicator Certification Exam at their local extension office and pass it with a 70% or better
   
   
2. Attend a 6-hour training session and take an ungraded 50 question open book 'ungraded quiz'. These 6 hour sessions must adhere to criteria set forth for Initial Programs.

The agent will go over the exam with individuals that answered less than 70% of the questions correctly or they will go over the correct answers to the 'ungraded quiz' after completion by the applicators.

1. The agent notes the exam score on the Application For A Farm Applicator Special Use Permit that is provided by the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA).
   
   
2. The agent signs the application in the appropriate box.
   
   
3. The agent gives the application to the applicator, who mails it and fees to the MDA. 
   OR
   The agent collects the fee from the applicator and sends it and the permit to the MDA.
   
   
4. The applicator will then receive a permit in the mail and will be entered into the MDA private pesticide applicator database. 

If an applicator allows their certification to lapse and they want to apply RUPs, they must take a closed book Montana Private Applicator Certification Exam within the 12 months after their license expired.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Those individuals who enter the system in years 1-4 of the recertification cycle must accrue 6 recertification credits before the end of the recertification cycle in order to be eligible to renew. Initial applicators who get their license in year 5 do not need to accrue another 6 credits by the end of the recertification year.  

For example, Applicator John Doe lives in Gallatin County (Region 2). For this example, his recertification cycle is from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009. He takes the 50 question exam at his local extension office on May 19, 2007 (3rd year of the recertification cycle).  He needs to get 6 private applicator credits by the end of December 31, 2009.  On the other hand, Jane Doe, who also lives in Gallatin County, got her license on April 15, 2009 (5th year of recertification cycle).  She DOES NOT need to get 6 private credits to recertify.