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Pest Control Licensing Requirements | State by State Guide

Pest control license requirements for all 50 states 

Select your state below to access news, updates, and articles, or click the link for your regulatory agency to be taken directly to their state website. Whether you are a pest control professional or a do-it-yourself pest controller, all pesticide applications must be made in compliance with local, state, and federal requirements as well as according to label instructions.  

Although many states do not have the same regulations for non-commercial pest control applications for those wishing to handle their own pest control around their own property, misapplication of pesticides can result in detrimental consequences. For questions regarding pesticide applications in your area, please contact your state regulatory agency. 


Alabama Pesticide License

Alabama Department of Agriculture
Alabama Pest Control Experience Required: Yes

Alabama Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Standard Exam Fee: $75 (offered quarterly) 
Expedited Exam: $125 (offered weekly)
Alabama Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Ohio
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee

Alaska Pesticide License

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Alaska Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Alaska Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Alaska Pest Control Exam Fee: $65 (Plus proctor fee)
Alaska Pest Control Business License Fee: $25

Alaska Pesticide License Link

 

Arizona Pesticide License

Arizona Department of Agriculture
Arizona Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Arizona Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Arizona Pest Control Exam Fee: $75
Arizona Pest Control Business License Fee: $250

Arizona Pesticide License Link

 

Arkansas Pesticide License

Arkansas Agriculture Department
Arkansas Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Arkansas Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Arkansas Pest Control Exam Fee: N/A ($50 Training Course)
Arkansas Pest Control Business License Fee: $10

Arkansas Pesticide License Link

 

California Pesticide License

California Department of Pesticide Regulation
California Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
California Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
California Pest Control Exam Fee: $50 (plus $80 application fee)
California Pest Control Business License Fee: $160

California Pesticide License Link

 

Colorado Pesticide License

Colorado Department of Agriculture
Colorado Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Colorado Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Colorado Pest Control Exam Fee: $31.50 (Plus $100 License Fee)
Colorado Pest Control Business License Fee: $350

Colorado Pesticide License Link 

 

Connecticut Pesticide License

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut Pest Control Experience Required: Yes 
Connecticut Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Connecticut Pest Control Exam Fee: $200 (per category)
Connecticut Pest Control Business License Fee: $0 ($240 if company has more than one certified pest control applicator)

Connecticut Pesticide License Link

 

Delaware Pesticide License

Delaware Department of Agriculture
Delaware Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Delaware Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Delaware Pest Control Exam Fee: $30
Delaware Pest Control Business License Fee: $50 
Delaware Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Virginia

Delaware Pesticide License Link

Florida Pesticide License

Florida Department of Agriculture
Florida Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Florida Pest Control Exam Required: Yes

Florida Pest Control Exam Fee: $300 (per category)
Florida Pest Control Business License Fee: $300
Florida Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Alabama
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina

Florida Pesticide License Link

Georgia Pesticide License

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Georgia Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Georgia Pest Control Exam Required: Yes

Georgia Pest Control Exam Fee: $45
Georgia Pest Control Business License Fee: $170
Georgia Reciprocal Pesticide License States: All states. Georgia offers reciprocal pesticide licensing for any state with substantially similar licensing standards for a particular category. 

Georgia Pesticide License Link

Hawaii Pesticide License

Hawaii Pesticide Licensing
Hawaii Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Hawaii Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Hawaii Pest Control Exam Fee: $25 (Plus $50 initial ID Card)
Hawaii Pest Control Business License Fee: $335

Hawaii Pesticide License Link 

 

Idaho Pesticide License

Idaho Department of Agriculture
Idaho Pest Control Experience Required: No
Idaho Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Idaho Pest Control Exam Fee: $10 
Idaho Pest Control Business License Fee: $120
Idaho Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Montana
  • Oregon
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

Idaho Pesticide License Link 

 

Illinois Pesticide License

Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Illinois Pest Control Exam Required: Yes

Illinois Pest Control Exam Fee: $75
Illinois Pest Control Business License Fee: $250
Illinois Reciprocal Pesticide License States: All States

Illinois Pesticide License Link

 

Indiana Pesticide License

Office of Indiana State Chemist
Indiana Pest Control Experience Required: 
Indiana Pest Control Exam Required: 
Indiana Pest Control Exam Fee:
Indiana Pest Control Business License Fee: $45
Indiana Reciprocal Pesticide License States: All States

Indiana Pesticide License Link

 

Iowa Pesticide License

Iowa Department of Agriculture
Iowa Pest Control Experience Required: No
Iowa Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Iowa Pest Control Exam Fee: $20
Iowa Pest Control Business License Fee: $25 
Iowa Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Illinois
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin

Iowa Pesticide License Link

 

Kansas Pesticide License

Kansas Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: No 
Exam Required: Yes 
Exam Fee: $45
Business License Fee: $140 (per category)
Kansas Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Minnesota
  • Indiana

Kansas Pesticide License Link

 

Kentucky Pesticide License

Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Kentucky Pest Control Experience Required: No
Kentucky Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Kentucky Pest Control Exam Fee: $25
Kentucky Pest Control Business License Fee: $100
Kentucky Reciprocal Pesticide License States: 

Kentucky Pesticide License Link

 

Louisiana Pesticide License

Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee: $25 - $50
Business License Fee: $200

Louisiana Pesticide License Link

 

Maine Pesticide License

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
Maine Pest Control Experience Required: No
Maine Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Maine Pest Control Exam Fee: $50
Maine Pest Control Business License Fee: $300

Maine Pesticide License Link 

 

Maryland Pesticide License

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
Maryland Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Maryland Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Maryland Pest Control Exam Fee: $10
Maryland Pest Control Business License Fee: $150 
Maryland Reciprocal Pesticide License States: All States

Maryland Pesticide License Link

 

Massachusetts Pesticide License

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Massachusetts Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Massachusetts Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Massachusetts Pest Control Exam Fee: $75
Massachusetts Pest Control Business License Fee: $150

Massachusetts Pesticide License Link 

 

Michigan Pesticide License

Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Michigan Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Michigan Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Michigan Pest Control Exam Fee: $0
Michigan Pest Control Business License Fee: $100

Michigan Pesticide License Link 

 

Minnesota Pesticide License

Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Minnesota Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Minnesota Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Minnesota Pest Control Exam Fee: $0
Minnesota Pest Control Business License Fee: $250
Minnesota Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • Iowa
  • Wisconsin
  • Arkansas
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Wyoming

Minnesota Pesticide License Link

 

Mississippi Pesticide License

Mississippi Department of Agriculture
Mississippi Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Mississippi Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Mississippi Pest Control Exam Fee:
Mississippi Pest Control Business License Fee: 

Mississippi Pesticide License Link

 

Missouri Pesticide License

Missouri Department of Agriculture
Missouri Pest Control Experience Required: 
Missouri Pest Control Exam Required: 
Missouri Pest Control Exam Fee:
Missouri Pest Control Business License Fee: 
Missouri Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Kansas
  • Nebraska
  • Iowa
  • Minnesota
  • Illinois
  • Arkansas 
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi (Categories 1a, 2, 5, & 6)
  • Tennessee (aerial only)

Missouri Pesticide License Link

 

Montana Pesticide License

Montana Department of Agriculture
Montana Pest Control Experience Required: No
Montana Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Montana Pest Control Exam Fee: $0
Montana Pest Control Business License Fee: $85
Montana Reciprocal Pesticide License States: All states. 

Montana Pesticide License Link 

 

Nebraska Pesticide License

Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Nebraska Pest Control Experience Required: No
Nebraska Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Nebraska Pest Control Exam Fee: $0
Nebraska Pest Control Business License Fee: $90 

Nebraska Pesticide License Link

 

Nevada Pesticide License

Nevada Department of Agriculture
Nevada Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
Nevada Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
Nevada Pest Control Exam Fee: $50
Nevada Pest Control Business License Fee: $300 
Nevada Reciprocal Pesticide License States: None

Nevada Pesticide License Link

 

New Hampshire Pesticide License

New Hampshire Department of Agriculture
New Hampshire Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
New Hampshire Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
New Hampshire Pest Control Exam Fee: $5
New Hampshire Pest Control Business License Fee: $20 

New Hampshire Pesticide License Link

New Jersey Pesticide License

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
New Jersey Pest Control Experience Required: Yes
New Jersey Pest Control Exam Required: Yes
New Jersey Pest Control Exam Fee: $0
New Jersey Pest Control Business License Fee: $150 
New Jersey Reciprocal Pesticide License States: 

  • New York
  • Delaware
  • Indiana 
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Connecticut
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland

New Jersey Pesticide License Link

 

New Mexico Pesticide License

New Mexico Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: $75

New Mexico Pesticide License Link

New York Pesticide License

New York Department of Environmental Conservation
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee: Yes
Business License Fee: Yes

New York Pesticide License Link

North Carolina Pesticide License

North Carolina Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee: $50
Business License Fee: 

North Carolina Pesticide License Link

North Dakota Pesticide License

North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Ohio Pesticide License

Ohio Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee: $35
Business License Fee: $35

Ohio Pesticide License Link
Ohio Pesticide Business License Application
Ohio Pesticide Applicator License Application

Oklahoma Pesticide License

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee: $95 per category
Business License Fee: $100 per category

Oklahoma Pesticide License Link

Oklahoma Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Arkansas
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Minnesota
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • Texas

Oregon Pesticide License

Oregon Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Oregon Pesticide Licensing Guide

Reciprocity States: Washington, Idaho

Pennsylvania Pesticide License

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee: $50
Business License Fee: 

Pennsylvania Pesticide License Link

Rhode Island Pesticide License

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Experience Required: Training Courses Required
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Rhode Island Pesticide License Link

South Carolina Pesticide License

South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation
Experience Required: Yes
Exam Required: Yes
Exam Fee: $50
Business License Fee: 
South Carolina Reciprocal Pesticide License States:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Lousiana
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia

South Carolina Pesticide License Link

South Dakota Pesticide License

South Dakota Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Tennessee Pesticide License

Tennessee Department of Agriculture 
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Texas Pesticide License

Texas Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Texas Pesticide Licensing Link

Utah Pesticide License

Utah Department of Agriculture 
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Vermont Pesticide License

Vermont Agency of Agriculture
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Virginia Pesticide License

Virginia Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Washington Pesticide License

Washington State Department of Agriculture

Reciprocity States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, Utah

Washington DC Pesticide License

Washington DC Department of Energy & Environment
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

West Virginia Pesticide License

West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Wisconsin Pesticide License

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: 

Wyoming Pesticide License

Wyoming Department of Agriculture
Experience Required: 
Exam Required: 
Exam Fee:
Business License Fee: