What is a private applicator?

A private applicator uses or supervises restricted use pesticides on property they own or rent, for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity. 

To maintain a valid license, private applicators must attend 3 private applicator recertification programs (PARPs) within the 5 year period. 

Steps to Obtain an Indiana Private Pesticide License

Attend a core exam prep training in person at Purdue or online!

The Purdue Pesticide Program offers a day of training and eLearning course to prepare for the Indiana pesticide core exam.

In-person training cost $103 and eLearning Course cost $110 (both include training manual). 

NO EXAM OFFERED DURING TRAINING SESSION

2025 In-Person Training Registration

Online Training Registration

Don't want to attend a training session? Prepare and study for the exam on your own!

Purchase the $40 training manual and study for the exam in your spare time. Each section of the manual list learning objectives you should understand before taking the exam. 

Order Pesticide Applicator Training Manual

(If you are planning on attending a training session, do NOT order a manual. They are provided if you take the course online or in-person.)

Schedule and pass the CORE exam!

Exam Cost is $55. The exam is 70 multiple choice questions. Certification exams are only available from Metro Institute. Over 20 statewide locations (Marion Ivy Tech is the closest location for Grant County residents). You must score 49/70 to pass. To schedule your exam, click the button and follow the steps below.

Schedule Exam

  1. Click 'Register Here' and create your Metro Online Account.
  2. Once you have an account created, log into your account.
  3. Select the "Book Now" tab, then click 'Pest Control Exams'.
  4. Check 'Pesticide Core (CORE)', then 'Continue'.
  5. Either select the testing location you would like to take the test or the remote proctor exam.
  6. Schedule a date and time that works best for you and checkout.

Passed your CORE Exam? One last step!

Complete the Private Applicator Permit Application.

Fill out the Application

Print off the completed form and mail with $20 to:

       Office of Indiana State Chemist

       Purdue University

       175 S. University Street

       West Lafayette, IN 47907

Attend a core exam prep training in person at Purdue or online!

The Purdue Pesticide Program offers a day of training and eLearning course to prepare for the Indiana pesticide core exam.

In-person training cost $103 and eLearning Course cost $110 (both include training manual). 

NO EXAM OFFERED DURING TRAINING SESSION

2025 In-Person Training Registration

Online Training Registration

Don't want to attend a training session? Prepare and study for the exam on your own!

Purchase the $40 training manual and study for the exam in your spare time. Each section of the manual list learning objectives you should understand before taking the exam. 

Order Pesticide Applicator Training Manual

(If you are planning on attending a training session, do NOT order a manual. They are provided if you take the course online or in-person.)

Schedule and pass the CORE exam!

Exam Cost is $55. The exam is 70 multiple choice questions. Certification exams are only available from Metro Institute. Over 20 statewide locations (Marion Ivy Tech is the closest location for Grant County residents). You must score 49/70 to pass. To schedule your exam, click the button and follow the steps below.

Schedule Exam

  1. Click 'Register Here' and create your Metro Online Account.
  2. Once you have an account created, log into your account.
  3. Select the "Book Now" tab, then click 'Pest Control Exams'.
  4. Check 'Pesticide Core (CORE)', then 'Continue'.
  5. Either select the testing location you would like to take the test or the remote proctor exam.
  6. Schedule a date and time that works best for you and checkout.

Passed your CORE Exam? One last step!

Complete the Private Applicator Permit Application.

Fill out the Application

Print off the completed form and mail with $20 to:

       Office of Indiana State Chemist

       Purdue University

       175 S. University Street

       West Lafayette, IN 47907

Questions?

Contact your local ANR Educator or Cheri Janssen cjanssen@purdue.edu (765) 496-7499