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Department of Agriculture (DA)

The Department of Agriculture (ADA) is committed to creating and implementing policies and programs to protect Arkansas natural resources, agriculture, and forestry. It maintains the farmers' and rancher's competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets while preserving the environment and ensuring access to food, fiber, and forest products. The Department has two main boards that provide contractor licenses and are divided into programs and sections: The State Plant Board and the Water Well Construction Commission.

State Plant Board

Plant Industries Division’s goal is to serve and protect the people of Arkansas and the agricultural and commercial communities by disseminating knowledge and impartially enforcing the law to ensure superior products and services.

Pest Control Program

The Pest Control Program administers the Arkansas Pest Control Law Rules and Regulations. Pest management tasks include treating buildings for termites, roaches, ants, and turf and lawns for insect and weed pests. The program is in charge of issuing licenses for applicators and technicians, and different licenses or certificates may be needed, depending on the kinds of pest control services:

  • Commercial Operator General Fumigation Class 3
  • Commercial Operator Golf Course Pest Control Class 6
  • Commercial Operator Household Pest and Rodent Control Class 2
  • Commercial Operator Termite and Other Structural Pest Control Class 1
  • Commercial Operator Tree and Turf Pest Control Class 4
  • Commercial Operator Weed Control Class 5
  • Non-Commercial Operator Fumigation Class 8
  • Non-Commercial Operator Golf Course Pest Control Class 10
  • Non-Commercial Operator Structural Pest Control Class 7
  • Non-Commercial Operator Tree and Turf Pest Control Class 9
  • Pest Control Agent Registration
  • Pest Control Holder General Fumigation Class 3
  • Pest Control Holder Golf Course Class 6
  • Pest Control Holder Household Pest and Rodent Control Class 2
  • Pest Control Holder Termite and Other Structural Pest Control Class 1
  • Pest Control Holder Tree and Turf Pest Control Class 4
  • Pest Control Holder Weed Control Class 5

How to Get a Pest Control License in the State of Arkansas?

  1. Comply with the age requirement, which is a minimum of 18 years old
  2. Fulfill the experience and training requirements (if applicable):
    • Pest Control Agent Registration Applicants must be on-the-job trained by the businesses licensed applicators
    • Applicants for the Commercial Operator Class 1 and 2 Licenses require prior experience of at least one year and/or 2 years of college credits from an accredited college/university with at least one basic course in entomology
  3. Be or will be employed by a License Holder
  4. Check the classification(s) for which you are qualified and applying to be licensed
  5. Fill out the corresponding application form:
  6. Send the application, documents, and fees to:
    Arkansas Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Division
    Regulatory Services Section
    P.O. Box 1069 Little Rock AR,
    72203-1069
  7. Register and take the Plant Board administered exam (Agent Registration) or the Basic Core exam and the Specific Classification exam (Commercial and non-commercial operators)
  8. Pay the examination fees by mailing ADA
  9. Expect an answer from the Department of Agriculture to the registered email address

Pesticide Section

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section is responsible for testing and approving pesticide applicators in the State. This section provides the regulations for the certification and licensing of Commercial and Non-Commercial Applicators and Pesticide Technicians. The University of Arkansas - Cooperative Extension Service, offers the necessary training for the certification. Below is the list of the current trades under the Pesticide Section:

  • Commercial Applicator Technician
  • Firm Commercial Applicator
  • Firm Custom Applicator Permit
  • Firm Custom Applicator Permit For Tree Injection and Similar Methods
  • Individual Commercial Applicator
  • Non-Commercial Restricted Use Pesticide
  • Private Applicator’s Restricted Use Pesticide

How to Obtain a Firm Applicator License in the State of Arkansas?

  1. Fill out the Online Firm Commercial Application Form DP-29
  2. Attach the required documentation:
    • Proof of Financial Responsibility in 1 of 4 of the following ways:
      • Insurance Form DP-44 minimum requirement of $100,000, deductible must not exceed $5,000
      • Surety Bond
      • Letter of Credit
      • Escrow Account
    • Power of Attorney Form (only required if the company is located out of state or if the POA has changed from the previous year)
    • Individual Commercial Applicator Application Form DP-30 for each applicator requiring a license (The Individual Commercial Applicators must be indicated on Form DP-29)
  3. Complete a Custom Permit Form DP-32 and/or a Tree Injector Applicator Permit Form DP-35. That applies if the company is going to make tree injection or apply any pesticides classified as “E” or “F” under the Arkansas Regulations on Pesticide Classification for hire. (One must first obtain a Commercial Firm License before a Custom Permit or A Tree Injector Permit can be issued):
    • Take and pass the Everblue® Pesticide Basic Core, the Custom Applicator (Aerial or Ground) and/or the Tree Injector Exams as applicable
    • Pay the examination fees
  4. Submit the application, documents, and applicable fees online
  5. Await for the Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section to issue and email the license once the application review process is complete

How to Acquire an Arkansas Individual Commercial, Non-Commercial, and Technician Applicator License?

  1. Complete the Approved Training given by the University of Arkansas - Division of Agriculture
    • Training is not required for the Individual Commercial and Non-Commercial Applicators Licenses before taking the exams, but it is available and recommended
    • Commercial Applicator Technician (CAT) License applicants must take the approved training
  2. Register for and pass the Everblue® Pesticide Basic Core Exam and the Category Specific Exams (Testing is not required to obtain a CAT License)
  3. Complete the additional training requirements:
    • Training and Certification Program for Non-Crop Use of Dicamba Herbicides
    • Training and Certification Program for Enlist One and Enlist Duo Herbicides
    • In-Crop Use of New Dicamba Herbicide Formulations In-Person Training
  4. Fill out a Non-Commercial Applicator Application Form DP-27, a Commercial Applicator Technician Application Form DP-28, or an Individual Commercial Applicator Application Form DP-30 as applicable
  5. Pay examination fees online
  6. Expect an email answer from the Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section once the application review process is complete

How to Get a Private Applicator's Restricted Use Pesticide License in the State of Arkansas?

  1. Fulfill ONE of the following requirements:
    • Attend a Private Applicator Training session provided by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
    • Complete the Private Applicator Online Certification provided by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
    • Register and pass the Private Applicator Exam, provided by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section
  2. Meet the additional training requirements:
    • Training and Certification Program for Non-Crop Use of Dicamba Herbicides
    • Training and Certification Program for Enlist One and Enlist Duo Herbicides
    • In-Crop Use of New Dicamba Herbicide Formulations In-Person Training
    • Submit the Online Application Form and the applicable fees
  3. Await for the Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Pesticide Section to issue and email the license once the application review process is complete

Nursery/Landscaping Licensing Program

It's the organization in charge of issuing licenses for Landscape Contractors. A landscape contractor installs ornamental or horticultural plants, offers nursery stock for sale, or sells nursery stock in Arkansas by planting nursery stock, depending on their level of expertise:

  • Landscape Level I
  • Landscape Level II
  • Landscape Level III

How to Become a Nursery/Landscape License Holder in Arkansas?

  1. Apply online or fill out a hard copy application form according to the license’s level:
  2. Pay the corresponding fees
  3. Mail the application with fees (ONLY if the applicant chose the hard copy application) to:
    Arkansas Department of Agriculture
    P.O. Box 1069
    Little Rock, AR 72203
  4. Await for the Department of Agriculture to issue the license

Water Well Construction Commission (WWCC)

The Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission controls the building of water wells and the installation of pumps to ensure the citizen's general health, safety, and welfare. The AWWCC also issues licenses for water well contractors, installers, drillers, and apprentices, such as:

  • Water Well
  • Water Well Apprenticeship Certificate
  • Water Well Driller Registration Certificate
  • Water Well Pump Installer Registration Certificate

How to Obtain an Arkansas Water Well License?

  1. Be at least 18 years old
  2. Comply with the experience and education requirements:
    • Water Well Driller Registration Certificate and Water Well Pump Installer Registration Certificate must fulfill one of the following experience or education requirements:
      • Complete the Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission (AWWCC) Driller Apprenticeship Program or the Pump Installer Apprenticeship Program according to the application and present one of the following documents:
        • A letter from the supervisor stating that the apprentice is ready to sit for examination
        • The IRS W2 Wage and Tax Statement Form demonstrating three years of employment under a licensed water well or Pump Installer contractor as appropriate
      • Hold a valid Arkansas Certificate of Registration and meet the qualifications listed in the Apprenticeship Program Exemption set out in Rule 3.10.10 of the Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission Rules and Regulations
      • Hold a registration from another state similar to the type and class for the present application, and the other state’s program must be at least as rigorous as the Commission’s Apprenticeship Program
    • Commercial operators require prior experience of at least one year and/or 2 years of college credits from an accredited college/university with at least one basic course in entomology before being eligible to take the exam
  3. Complete and notarize the corresponding application form:
  4. Attach the pertaining documents and a check for the required licensing and permits fees (Make your check payable to the Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission)
  5. Send the application form, documents and check to:
    Arkansas Department of Agriculture
    1 Natural Resources Drive
    Little Rock, AR 72205
  6. Expect an answer from the AWWCC, they will set up a date for testing (ONLY for Water Well Driller Registration Certificate and Water Well Pump Installer Registration Certificate)
  7. Present the corresponding examination. All exams will be given at the Commission’s offices at 101 E. Capitol, Suite 350, Little Rock, AR
  8. Await for the Commission’s response regarding the license application

Helpful Links for the Department of Agriculture Applicants

Contact Information for the Department of Agriculture

1 Natural Resources Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72205
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(501) 225-1598

Water Well Construction Commission
10421 W. Markham St.,
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 682-3900 Fax: 501-682-3991
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