Business/Agency Pesticide Information

Each business location offering, advertising, or providing the services of commercial application of pesticides either entirely or as part of the business must register with NYSDEC.

To qualify for a business registration the business must employ a certified applicator or technician who is certified in each category the business will operate in. If the business will be operating in categories 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7f, 7g, or 11, the business must employ a certified applicator certified in those categories. For all other categories, the business can employ a certified applicator or a technician. Pesticide applications must be made by employees of the business. Contractors or consultants cannot make or supervise pesticide applications.

All businesses must carry commercial general liability insurance with coverage of at least $1,000,000 each occurrence. A certificate of liability insurance, that shows NYSDEC as certificate holder, must be submitted with all applications. A new certificate showing NYSDEC as certificate holder should also be submitted to the NYSDEC each year when the policy renews. Insurance certificates must list any dba names used by the business. Insurance certificates must show the address of the location being registered. If a company has multiple locations that need to be registered, the insurance certificate should list each address registered or separate insurance certificates should be sent for each address. Insurance certificates that list only the address of the corporate headquarters will not be accepted.

Each vehicle (including trailers) used by a registered business that transports pesticides, and each piece of ride-on pesticide application equipment is required to display two Registered Pesticide Business decals. The decals should be placed on opposite sides of each vehicle or piece of equipment. Decals should not be placed on small pieces of pesticide application equipment such as handheld or backpack sprayers or on carrying cases. Decals are for use on vehicles and ride-on application equipment only.

To register a pesticide business or renew a registration, complete either the online Pesticide Business or Agency Registration Application or the Paper Pesticide Business Registration Application (PDF). Renewal applications must be submitted at least 45 days before the current registration expires. New business applications should be submitted at least 45 days before the business intends to start offering pesticide application services. The fee to register or renew is $900. Do not submit payment with your application. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you will be mailed an invoice.

Registrations are valid for 3 years. For new registrations, the registration will be valid for between 2 ½ and 3 ½ years depending on where the business is located. The registration expiration date is determined by the NYSDEC Region in which a business is located. Fees will not be prorated for any part of a registration period for new registrations or late renewals. Click here to find your region. The expiration dates are: Region 1 (Nassau): October 31; Region 1 (Suffolk): December 31; Region 2: February 28; Region 3: April 30; Region 4: June 30; Region 5: June 30; Region 6: June 30; Region 7: July 31; Region 8: August 31; Region 9: September 30; Out of State: June 30

Registered businesses that need to request additional decals for new vehicles or equipment should complete the online Business/Agency Information Update Form or send an email to [email protected] with the business name, registration number, the number of additional decals needed, and attach a certificate of liability insurance.

Businesses must notify the NYSDEC in writing if there are changes to the business name, address, categories of operation, or certified applicators or technicians. These changes can be made by completing the online Business/Agency Information Update Form or; address changes can be submitted using the paper Address Change Form. All other changes can be made by sending an email to [email protected] with the business name, registration number, and the changes that need to be made. Changes to business name or address require a certificate of liability insurance that shows the new name or address.

Each agency that applies pesticides must register with NYSDEC. Agencies that must register include state, county, and municipal agencies, public school districts, colleges and universities, and utility companies (railroad, as that term is defined in the Railroad Law; or telegraph, telephone, telegraph and telephone, pipeline, gas, electric, or gas and electric corporation as those terms are defined in the State Transportation Corporations Law).

To qualify for an agency registration the agency must employ a certified applicator or technician who is certified in each category the agency will operate in. If the agency will be operating in categories 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7f, 7g, or 11, the agency must employ a certified applicator certified in those categories. For all other categories, the agency can employ a certified applicator or a technician. Pesticide applications must be made by employees of the agency. Contractors or consultants cannot make or supervise pesticide applications.

Each vehicle (including trailers) used by a registered agency that transports pesticides, and each piece of ride-on pesticide application equipment is required to display two Registered Pesticide Business decals. The decals should be placed on opposite sides of each vehicle or piece of equipment. Decals should not be placed on small pieces of pesticide application equipment such as handheld or backpack sprayers or on carrying cases. They are for use on vehicles and ride-on application equipment only.

To register as a pesticide agency or renew a registration, complete either the online Pesticide Business or Agency Registration Application or the Paper Pesticide Agency Registration Application (PDF). Renewal applications must be submitted at least 45 days before the current registration expires. New agency applications should be submitted at least 45 days before the agency intends to start making pesticide applications. The fee for a utility company to register or renew is $900. Do not submit payment with your application. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you will be mailed an invoice. State, county, or municipal agencies, public school districts, colleges, and universities are exempt from the registration fee.

Registrations are valid for 3 years. For new registrations, the registration will be valid for between 2 ½ and 3 ½ years depending on where the agency is located. The registration expiration date is determined by the NYSDEC Region in which an agency is located. Fees will not be prorated for any part of a registration period for new registrations or late renewals. Click here to find your region. The expiration dates are: Region 1 (Nassau): October 31; Region 1 (Suffolk): December 31; Region 2: February 28; Region 3: April 30; Region 4: June 30; Region 5: June 30; Region 6: June 30; Region 7: July 31; Region 8: August 31; Region 9: September 30; Out of State: June 30

Registered agencies that need to request additional decals for new vehicles or equipment should complete the online Business/Agency Information Update Form or send an email to [email protected] with the agency name, registration number, and the number of additional decals needed.

Agencies must notify the NYSDEC in writing if there are changes to the address, categories of operation, or certified applicators or technicians. These changes can be made by completing the online Business/Agency Information Update Form or; address changes can be submitted using the Address Change Form, all other changes can be made by sending an email to [email protected] with the agency name, registration number, and the changes that need to be made.

A Commercial Permit is required to distribute, sell, offer for sale, purchase for the purpose of re-sale, or possess for the purpose of resale a restricted use pesticide. A Commercial Permit is required by all pesticide registrants and dealers who sell or ship restricted-use pesticides within or into New York State. A Commercial Permit is issued to a specific business. Dealers or registrants that conduct business under more than one name must obtain a Commercial Permit for each business name. A separate Commercial Permit is required for each location in New York State. Out-of-State dealers or registrants with no sales or distribution location in New York State need one Commercial Permit.

Any person who engages in the sale of a restricted use pesticide shall be certified by the Commissioner. Each business requiring a Commercial Permit must employ at least one applicator who is certified in New York State throughout the term of the Commercial Permit.

All Commercial Permit holders are required to file annual reports of:

1. The sales of restricted use pesticide products and
2. The sales of general use pesticide products to private applicators for use in agricultural crop production.

To apply for a new Commercial Permit or renew a Permit complete the online Commercial Permit Application or the Paper Commercial Permit Application (PDF). Renewal applications must be submitted at least 45 days before your Commercial Permit expires to avoid a lapse in the permit. New Commercial Permit applications should be submitted at least 45 days before the business intends to start offering restricted pesticides sales. Commercial Permits are valid for 2 years. The fee to register or renew a Commercial Permit is $600.

Restricted use pesticides can only be sold or distributed to Certified Applicators. Uncertified individuals cannot pick up restricted use pesticides on behalf of a Certified Applicator.

Commercial Permit holders must notify the NYSDEC in writing if there are changes to the business name, address, or certified applicators. Address changes can be submitted using the Address Change Form, all other changes can be made by sending an email to [email protected] with the business name, commercial permit number, and the changes that need to be made.