Commercial pesticide applicator renewal open

2:47 p.m. Feb. 23, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) opened the 2026 commercial pesticide applicator certification renewal period on Monday, Feb. 23. This gives licensed applicators several months to complete their continuing education requirements before the current cycle ends.

In Tennessee, commercial pesticide applicators must keep their certification active to legally apply pesticides and operate their businesses. To renew, they must earn the required number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during the current three-year cycle.

Applicators must earn all required CEUs by June 30. After this date, no more CEUs can be added for the current cycle, and there will be no extensions.

Training providers need to send attendance rosters to TDA by July 30 for the coursework to count toward renewal.

TDA officials explained that the department’s automated licensing system will check renewal eligibility every week during the renewal period. Applicators who meet all CEU and licensing requirements will be marked as “good to go” and will receive their renewed certification cards at the address on file.

Those who do not meet the renewal requirements will be notified and could face a lapse in certification. Applicators who fail to earn the required CEUs must retake the exam to regain certification.

State officials encourage applicators to review their CEU totals now rather than waiting until late June. Applicators can check their CEU totals and training history through the Commercial Pesticide Applicators CEU portal at the state’s Pesticide Applicators – Commercial (including CEUs) webpage. The site outlines required CEUs by certification category, lists approved training opportunities, and provides instructions for correcting discrepancies in training records.

New applicants who test and get commercial pesticide certification between Feb. 23 and June 30 do not need to earn prorated CEUs for the rest of the current cycle. The certification will be valid through June 30, 2029.

Here are the key dates for the 2026 renewal process:
• Renewal starts: February 23, 2026
• CEU deadline: June 30, 2026
• Roster submission deadline: July 30, 2026

If you need more help, contact the TDA Pesticide Section via email at Pesticides.CEU@tn.gov or call (615) 837-5148.