Learn about MDARD's four bureaus, including contact information, by clicking the above link, or view specific information below.
Want to know how to contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development? On this page you will find phone numbers, email addresses, snail mail addresses, and online contact forms for everything we do here at MDARD. We even have a complaint form for those of you with complaints.
Laws and Regulations pertaining to and governing the actions and policies of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
This area contains information for press and media agencies. Press Releases, Pics, Podcasts & Videos
Animal ID and movement requirements in the State of Michigan
Animal health resources for veterinary professionals.
Diseases affecting, or potentially affecting, animals in Michigan
Information on how to acquire a feed license to manufacture or distribute commercial feed in Michigan.
Rules governing the disposal of Bodies of Dead Animals (BODA).
Materials developed to provide information on how an individual may become a qualified Animal Control Officer.
Information about how MDARD's Agriculture Development Division can help you grow your business in Michigan.
Programs under the Private Forestlands Initiative, including the Forestry Assistance Program, Qualified Forester Registration, and Qualified Forest Program.
Good migrant labor housing is an essential element in securing an adequate supply of seasonal agricultural workers.
The Cottage Food law, enacted in 2010, allows individuals to manufacture and store certain types of foods in an unlicensed home kitchen.
Find a licensed firm in Michigan, from pesticide businesses to retail establishments, and more.
For the registration of horses, breeders and owners so as to render them eligible for racing and breeder/owner awards.
Retail Motor Fuel Outlet licensing information, applications and forms.
Information on Weights & Measures service person and agency registration, as well as weights and measures advisories.
Each new, existing, and proposed commercial pesticide or fertilizer bulk storage facility is required to register annually with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
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Lauren Gott, Pesticide Certification Specialist
General certification questions? Email the Pesticide Section at MDARD-Pesticide@michigan.gov
Questions about certification or registration status? Email the Central Licensing & Operational Services Unit at MDARD-PestCert@michigan.gov
Individuals who apply pesticides for agricultural or commercial purposes in Michigan may be required to become certified or registered with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). To be awarded a certification or registration credential by MDARD, applicators must apply for the credential and pass exam(s) to demonstrate their knowledge of responsible and legal pesticide use. MDARD also approves recertification seminars that existing applicators can attend to renew their credential.
Commercial and registered applicators who are hired to apply pesticides must obtain and follow business licensing requirements to legally provide pesticide application services. Visit MDARD's business licensing webpage to learn how to apply for a business license.
Use the certification flowchart to determine if certification is required. Note, applicator credentials are valid for three years after they are awarded and expire on December 31 of the third year.
Private certification is required for anyone who applies restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) to agricultural commodities to their own or their employer’s property. Applicators must pass the private core exam.
Commercial certification is required for anyone who applies pesticides for commercial purposes (for-hire or for anyone who applies non-ready-to-use pesticides) during their employment. All commercial applicators must pass the commercial core exam and at least one category exam depending on the type(s) of applications performed. See the Commercial Pesticide Application Certification Categories List to decide which categories to include on your application.
Registered applicators may be appropriate for applicators who apply general-use pesticides for a commercial purpose under the supervision of a certified applicator. Registered applicators cannot apply RUPs.
Registered applicators must be trained by an MDARD-approved trainer using an MDARD-approved training program that meets Regulation 636, Rule 8, Subrule 9 requirements. Approved trainers must pass the Registered Applicator Trainer Exam and be a commercially certified applicator with at least two seasons of experience applying pesticides in the categories which they will train registered applicators. A Registered Applicator Trainer Manual is available for trainers to study for the exam.
Contact Michigan State University’s Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator, Dr. Safa Alzohairy for help developing a training program and to take the Registered Applicator Trainer Exam.
Mail applications and application fees (check or money order made payable to the “State of Michigan”) to: The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, P.O. Box 30776, Lansing, Michigan 48909. Upon passing all certification exams and supplying the application and the application fee to MDARD, a certification or registration credential will be issued.
Recertifying Applicators: To recertify, submit the applicator renewal application and the corresponding application fee to MDARD.
Commercial Applicators or Private Applicators adding a category or standard must submit the Private and Commercial Applicator Certification Application and the applicable application fee to MDARD.
New Private Applicators must submit the Private and Commercial Applicator Certification Application and the $50 application fee to MDARD. Honorably discharged veterans are fee exempt.
New Commercial Applicators must submit the Private and Commercial Applicator Certification Application and the $75 application fee to MDARD.
New Registered Applicators must submit the Commercial Applicator Registration Application and the $45 application fee to MDARD. Additionally, registered applicators must:
MDARD allows applicators in training to use pesticides for two weeks under the direct supervision of a certified applicator, if their employer has an approved training program. The Requirements and Procedures for Two-week Training Notification for Non-certified or Non-registered Pesticide Applicators Form must be provided to MDARD BEFORE an applicator in training begins the two-week training period.
Use the Registered Pesticide Applicator Checklist to verify an applicator has successfully completed applicator registration.
MDARD has reciprocal certification agreements with Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. To receive reciprocity in Michigan, an applicator must be a resident in the originating state of the credential. Submit a copy of the originating credential along with the Private and Commercial Applicator Certification Application.
Study manuals and other training resources are available through the Michigan State University Pesticide Safety Education Program. All study manuals can be ordered from MSU's Pesticide Manual Sales platform. See MDARD's List of Study Manuals by Applicator Type for information about which study manual to order.
Certification exams are proctored by Metro Institute on behalf of MDARD. Applicators need to schedule their own exam(s) and have two options to take an exam:
Schedule an exam online via Metro Institute or by calling 877-533-2900. Note, Metro Institute’s main office is in Arizona.
MDARD proctors the commercial and private core, aerial, and fumigation exams following a Michigan State University Pesticide Safety Education Program core review. The 4-hour core review is mandatory to have a paper-based exam proctored following the review. Visit 2025 Pesticide Applicator Core Review and MDARD Core Testing for additional requirements and registration information.
Registration and convenience fees charged by MSU or Metro Institute are separate from MDARD’s application fees. The application and application fee must be submitted to MDARD to apply for a credential.
Need a reasonable accommodation for an exam? Visit MDARD’s Reasonable Accommodation Requests webpage for additional information.
Interested in being a vendor to administer certification exams? Review MDARD’s proctoring requirements to determine minimum vendor standards.