Commercial Applicator
This commercial category includes pest control in maintenance and production of ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf. Applicators certified in OTPC cannot charge a fee for services (i.e. golf course employees, city maintenance employees, etc.).
The horticulture professional services licenses are issued to businesses that engage in ornamental and turf pest control (OTPS) and have a certified operator who has taken, passed, and submitted their commercial applicators license application with appropriate fees for the corresponding category(s). The cost of an annual horticulture professional services license is $175.
Exam Information
Ornamental and Turf Pest Control – Supervisor Exam
- 50 questions
- Cost: $75
Ornamental and Turf Pest Control – Custodial Exam
- 50 questions
- Cost: $75
Testing for these permits can be completed at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) in Montgomery.
There is also a computer-based testing format that is available on a weekly basis at eight testing sites across Alabama. The cost for the online exam is $125 per exam. To sign up for the online exam, visit apply.adaitesting.com. Once approved, you will receive an approval email from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Required Study Materials
Alabama Extension
- Supplemental Study Manual for OTPS/OTPC
- Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, Commercial Pesticide Applicators Study Manual, ANR-0796
- Common Insect and Disease Pests of Turfgrasses and Ornamentals, ANR-0910
ADAI
- Chapter 28 Title 2 Code of Alabama 1975 – Professional Services Law
- 80-1-13 – Sale and Use of Pesticides
- 80-5-1 – Standards For Assessment of Civil Penalties
- 80-10-9 – Professional Services Rules
Requirements and Forms
Alabama Extension
ADAI – Certification and Testing
- Exam Schedule – Professional Services
- Exam Application – Professional Services
- First Permit & Add-On – Commercial Applicator
- Commercial Pesticide Applicator Permit – Renewal
- Recertification Meeting Locator – (Commercial Applicators)
- Recertification Meeting Locator – (Meeting Sponsors)