Press Release from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
VDACS Announces New, Lower Pesticide Registration and License Fees
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announces lower certification and license fees for pesticide applicators and pesticide businesses operating within the Commonwealth. The fee change is a result of regulatory action taken by the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services after a review of the pesticide fee structure to align current pesticide fees with VDACS’ costs to administer the pesticide program and the Virginia Pesticide Control Act. The lowering of fees will reduce the costs to pesticide applicators and pesticide businesses while allowing VDACS to continue protecting public health and the environment.
The fee structure change reduces the commercial applicator certification initial fee from $100 to $25, the registered technician certification initial fee from $50 to $25, and the annual pesticide business license fee from $150 to $75. In addition, it lowers the commercial applicator certification reexamination fees from $100 to $25, and the fee to add a commercial applicator category or subcategory from $35 to $25. The pesticide product registration fee of $225 remains unchanged.
There continues to be no charge for private pesticide applicators obtaining initial and renewal certifications.
The new fee structure became effective on Jan. 2, 2025. VDACS provides an online application service for applicators and businesses, where these fees are automatically calculated.
VDACS pesticide program activities include the certification of approximately 21,000 pesticide applicators, the licensing of approximately 2,200 pesticide businesses, the registration of approximately 15,000 pesticide products, and conducting routine inspections and investigations.
Questions regarding applicator certification, pesticide business licensing or pesticide product registration, should be directed to VDACS Office of Pesticide Services at opsclrt.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.