By Randy Price, Bryan Gueltig, Joe Engrao (LDAF), Congliang Zhou

LSU AgCenter

Note: In Louisiana, a person is required to be a certified commercial pesticide applicator in order to operate a drone for pesticide applications. Private Pesticide Applicator certification is not sufficient to operate a drone for pesticide application purposes.

The following licenses and certifications are needed to operate a sprayer drone in Louisiana for commercial use:

Federal Licensing (through the Federal Aviation Administration - FAA):

1. A Part 107 license with the FAA (www.faa.gov). This is a general commercial drone operator’s license that insures you have sufficient knowledge of the U.S. airspace to operate a drone in that airspace.

2. License the drone with FAA to obtain the Drone registration number. (Obtain and affix the “N-number” on one’s drone(s).)

3. Obtain a Part 137 license through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The following link may be helpful:

https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/dispensing_chemicals.

State Certification (through the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry - LDAF):

4. Complete the LSU AgCenter Drone Safety Program: LSU AgCenter - Drone Safety Program

5. Take and pass the following exams with LDAF:

* Commercial General Standards (Core Manual) + at least 1 sub-category exam (AgPest, Aquatic, Right of Way Vegetation Management, Mosquito, etc.)

Study materials are available from LSU AgCenter: https://store.lsuagcenter.com/c-7-pesticide-applicators.aspx

* The UAV Aerial exam (Category 11A) (This is based on the 107c study guide).

6. Obtain liability insurance for sprayer drone operations to cover accidents, drift claims and accidental crop destruction.

7. License your business and register the drone(s) with LDAF each year. The cost is $200 for LA residents, $500 for out of state + $50/drone. https://www.ldaf.la.gov/plants/pesticides/pesticide-licensing