Back to Fact Sheets Page

Do You Need A Pesticide Certificate or Licence?

A Quick Guide to Pesticide Applicator Certification and Licensing in Ontario.

In Ontario, pesticides are classified into eleven Classes. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) takes a careful look at every pesticide before it is sold in Ontario. The MOE then puts each product into one of the eleven Classes, depending on how hazardous the product is. For more information about Classes of pesticide products, visit the Ontario Ministry of the Environment web site, www.ene.gov.on.ca.

Class 2 or 3 products are the most hazardous. You must have an exterminator licence or a Grower Pesticide Safety Course certificate before you can buy or use them. Class 4, 5, 6, or 7 products have lower hazard. No matter which Class of pesticide you apply, you must use and apply it according to label directions.

If you are a farmer, and you want to buy or apply Class 2 or 3 pesticides on your farm, you must:

• hire a licensed exterminator (agriculture), or

• be a licensed agriculture exterminator, or

• be certified through the Grower Pesticide Safety Course.

The Grower Pesticide Safety Course is a one day course which includes an open book exam. Once you pass the exam with 75% or more, you receive a certificate that is valid for five years. The course fee is $105.

There are 15 categories of exterminator licences.

There are different licence categories for different types of work. For example, you may want to do landscape work, residential pest control, or agricultural spraying. Each of these types of work requires a different exterminator licence category.

You can train for your exterminator licence certification at home, through a home study course. When you have learned the information, you write a certification exam. The exam is in two parts - one part is closed book and one part is open book. There is a $165 fee for your home study books and exam. Once you have a mark of 75% on both parts of your exam you will receive certification. You send proof of your certification and a $90 fee to the MOE in Toronto, and they will send you your exterminator licence. Your licence is good for five years.

If you want to operate your own pest control business, you also need an operator licence.

There is no course or exam for an operator licence, but you must have an exterminator licence and proof of third party liability insurance. The licence fee is $200 for one year.

• exterminator licenses, call 1-888-620-9999

• Grower Pesticide Safety Courses, call 1-800-652-8573

• pesticide regulations, call the Ministry of the Environment.  The number is in the blue pages of your telephone book.

Back to Top