Plant Industries

Important Notice:
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is in the process of going paperless and updating the licensing database. This may cause delays in the licensing process. To ensure your application is processed in a timely manner be sure to provide ALL required information. If you have questions or need immediate assistance, please contact the Pesticide Section at (501) 225-1598.

Who qualifies for a Commercial Applicator Technician License?
Applicators who use restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified and licensed Individual Commercial Applicator.

The following steps are required to obtain a Commercial Applicator Technician License.

Step 1 – Training:

The appropriate training to be eligible for a CAT License is required annually. The training is provided by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. For more training information follow this link: Pesticide Application Training | Arkansas pesticide application training (uada.edu)

Note: Testing is not required to obtain a CAT License.

Product specific Additional Training requirements:

• Arkansas Training and Certification Program for Non-Crop Use of Dicamba Herbicides

Any applicator planning to apply dicamba to non-dicamba crops, pasture, and rangeland, or for burndown use will need to first complete the online training provided by the Cooperative Extension Services. Even if applicators have held this certificate in prior seasons, annual renewal is required by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

• Arkansas Training and Certification Program for Enlist One and Enlist Duo Herbicides

Any applicator planning to apply Enlist formulations to labeled crops will need to first complete the online Enlist training provided by the Cooperative Extension Services. Even if applicators have held this certificate in prior seasons, annual renewal is required by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

• In-Crop Use of New Dicamba Herbicide Formulations In-Person Training

Any applicator planning to apply new Dicamba formulations (Engenia, Fexapan, Tavium, or Xtendimax) before May 26 th & in-crop will need to first complete an in-person company training. Applicators can attend any company dicamba training regardless of which new formulation they intend on applying. Even if applicators have held this certificate in prior seasons, annual renewal is required by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

Step 2 – Licensing:

A Commercial Applicator Technician Application Form DP-28 must be completed and submitted to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section within four months of training with the required fee to be eligible for a license.

To apply online, go to Pesticide Section Forms Website and follow the instructions on how to complete and submit the DP-28 along with the appropriate fee.

To ensure the application is processed in a timely manner be sure to provide ALL required information on the application form DP-28. Incomplete applications will result in delays of the licensing process or a refund of the application fee.

A license will be issued and emailed to you once the application review process is complete.

Important Information:

• The license will expire December 31 st of each year.
• To be eligible for a Commercial Applicator Technician License the DP-28 Form must be submitted within 4 months of the training date.
• A Commercial Applicator Technician is required to be employed by a licensed Firm Commercial Applicator and under the direct supervision of a certified and licensed Individual Commercial Applicator.
• The issued license number will be permanently assigned. The active license information can be viewed at this link: License Search & Verification.
• If you have any questions, please contact the Pesticide Section at (501) 225-1598 or pesticide.commercial@agriculture.arkansas.gov.