The Bureau’s pesticide and pesticide applicator regulatory program will be set up in branches. Program branches include pesticide registration, commercial and private applicator certification, licensing of commercial applicators (i.e. professional services) and consultants, and compliance and enforcement. Two of these branches, applicator certification and licensing, will handle the credentialing of persons to use pesticides. In Mississippi, a certified commercial applicator can purchase and use restricted use pesticides. A commercial certification card is issued to that person. A commercial certification does not allow for an individual to apply these pesticides for a fee. A professional service license allows an individual to use any pesticide, general or restricted use, to perform services for hire (i.e. receive a fee). By obtaining this license, the individual has met and exceeded the standards required for commercial applicator certification and can therefore purchase and use restricted use pesticides. Categories for licensing are consistent with the categories offered for commercial certification.

Pesticide Registration – Pesticide means any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, mitigating or attracting any pests; and shall also include adjuvants intended to enhance the effectiveness of pesticides; and any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant. Registration of pesticides or pesticide products shall be on a calendar year basis and all registrations shall expire on December 31 of each year. For more information, please click on Pesticide Registration.

Pesticide Dealer License – A license shall be required for each location or outlet located within the state from which Restricted Use Pesticides are distributed, sold or offered for sale. Any dealer who has no pesticide outlet licensed within this state who distributes Restricted Use Pesticides directly into this state shall obtain a pesticide dealer license for his principal out-of-state location or outlet. Pesticide applicators selling Restricted Use Pesticides shall be required to secure a dealer license when such sales are not an integral part of their application service. For more information, please click on Dealer Licensing.

Private Applicator Certification – Any person who uses or supervises the use of any “restricted use” pesticide (excluding fumigants) for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity (including farmers, ranchers, vineyardists, plant propagators, Christmas tree growers, aquaculturists, floriculturists, orchardists, foresters, or other comparable persons) on property owned or rented by him or his employer or (if applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities) on the property of another person if applied without monetary compensation will be certified as a private applicator. For more information, please click on Private Applicator Certification.

Commercial Applicator Certification – All persons engaging in the supervision, application or use of any pesticide that is restricted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the Bureau are required to be certified. A Public Applicator shall mean any person who applies a restricteduse pesticide as an employee of a state agency, municipal corporation, public utility or other governmental agency (including County Agents, Mississippi Department of Transportation, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Municipal mosquito control, golf course managers, multi-family property managers, HOA’s, homeowners, or other comparable persons). For those who are not required by other Mississippi laws and regulations to be licensed or certified. For more information, please click on Commercial Applicator Certification (Not for hire).

Professional Services – Allows an individual to use any pesticide, general or restricted use, to perform services for hire (i.e. receive a fee). An Operator License and Company License are required. For more information, please click on Weed and Pest Control License and Permit.

Consultant – Allows an individual to receive fees for advice or prescriptions for the control or eradication of any insect pest, rodent, plant disease, or weed. For more information, please click on Consultant.

Aerial Licensing – The Bureau regulates the licensing of all persons, including pilots, engaged in the aerial application of pesticides, poisons, seeds, fertilizer and chemicals and to require the registration of all commercial agricultural aircraft. For more information, please click on Agricultural Aviation.

Pesticide Program Laws

Public access to the Mississippi Code can be found at the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website by selecting “Publications & External Affairs”.

Mississippi Pesticide Law

Mississippi Code Annotated Sections 69-23-1 through 69-23-29  The Mississippi Pesticide Law requires the registration of all pesticides sold or distributed within the state and the licensing of dealers of restricted-use pesticides.

Mississippi Pesticide Application Act

Mississippi Code Annotated Sections 69-23-101 through 69-23-135  Purchase and application of certain types of pesticides are restricted by law because of the probability for causing adverse effects on humans and the environment if improperly used. Pesticides classified as restricted-use may be applied only by or under the supervision of applicators certified by the Bureau as competent and knowledgeable after attending training and passing a written examination.