A “public pest management consultant” means any individual who is employed by a governmental agency or municipality to act as a pest management consultant. No person shall act as a public pest management consultant without first obtaining an annual nonfee license from the department. Application for a license shall be on a form provided by the department. The nonfee license shall be valid only when the consultant is acting in that capacity as an employee of his governmental employer. Federal and state employees whose principal responsibilities are in pesticide research shall be exempt from this licensing provision while acting in their official capacities.