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Pest Control
Pest control licensing is regulated at both the state and federal level. Operators must typically pass state exams, obtain EPA certification for restricted-use pesticides, and maintain continuing education. Requirements vary widely from state to state in categories, experience, and insurance.
51
Total States
51
Require State Exam
51
EPA Cert Required
8
Avg CE Hours
Pest control licensing involves state exams, federal EPA certification, and ongoing continuing education. Operators may need different licenses depending on their specialty and business structure.
Most states distinguish between pest control technicians (who work under supervision), certified operators/applicators (who can work independently), and business licenses (required to operate a pest control company). Each tier has different requirements.
State exams typically cover general pest control knowledge plus specialty categories like termite, fumigation, or lawn care. EPA certification is required for applying restricted-use pesticides and involves separate federal requirements administered through the state.
Licenses must be renewed periodically (typically annually or biennially) with continuing education covering IPM practices, pesticide safety, environmental protection, and regulatory updates. CEU categories often match the operator's license categories.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
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Click any state to see full requirements, costs, and step-by-step instructions →
| State | Exam Required? | EPA Cert? | Training Hours | Fees | CE Hours | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | Yes | — | $250 | 6 | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Yes | Yes | — | $130 | 8 | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | Yes | — | $380 | 6 | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $250 | 4 | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $680 | 8 | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Yes | Yes | — | $490 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | Yes | — | $805 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Yes | Yes | — | $250 | 12 | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Yes | Yes | — | $375 | 8 | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $700 | 4 | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | Yes | — | $325 | 25 | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Yes | Yes | — | $400 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Yes | Yes | — | $275 | 16 | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Yes | Yes | — | $600 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Yes | Yes | — | $180 | 5 | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Yes | Yes | — | $200 | 6 | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Yes | Yes | — | $460 | 4 | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | Yes | — | $95 | 12 | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | Yes | — | $240 | 6 | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Yes | Yes | — | Operator: ~$115–$125+ (Core exam $10 + Category exam(s) $10 each + license fee ~$105); Master: ~$165–$175+ (Core $10 + Category $10 + Regulations $10 + oral exam $50 + license fee ~$105); Firm License adds $200 | 6 | April 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $225–$250+ for one category (certified applicator at $75 + business license at $150); additional $30 per registered employee; $25 per each additional main category of certification | 6 | April 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | Yes | — | $575 | 6 | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Yes | Yes | — | $295 | 6 | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | Yes | — | Commercial applicator (1 category): ~$139+ (exam $75 + license $64 + ACRRA surcharge). Structural Journeyman: ~$300+ (exam $250 + license $50 + ACRRA surcharge). Company license: $225 additional. | 6 | April 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Yes | Yes | — | At minimum $55 (exam admin fee); additional application, license, and company license fees not specified in available sources | 6 | April 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Yes | Yes | — | Certified Commercial Applicator: approximately $95+ ($45 exam fee + $50 license fee, plus any additional category exam fees) | 6 | April 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Yes | Yes | — | $85 per Commercial Applicator license (exam fee not confirmed from official sources) | 6 | April 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $145+ (exam fees ~$55 per exam x at least 2 exams = $110, plus $90 license fee; actual cost depends on number of category exams needed) | 6 | April 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | Yes | — | Third-party sources estimate initial regulatory costs (principal exam, business license, insurance, bonding) at approximately $1,500–$3,000; NDA advises contacting the agency for current fee schedules | 6 | April 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Yes | Yes | — | Minimum ~$75 per applicator (exam fee $15 + license fee $60); business/firm registration fee amount not confirmed from official sources | 6 | April 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $340 | 8 | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $210+ for a Commercial Applicator (e.g., $55 Core exam + $55 Category exam + $100 license fee); more if additional category exams are required | 6 | April 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | Yes | 30 | $1,300 | 12 | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | Yes | — | $300 | 5 | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $35 ($10 exam fee + $25 license fee) per third-party sources; additional category exam fees apply; verify with official program | 6 | April 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | Yes | — | $305 | 5 | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $95 (core exam) + $95 (one category exam) + $100 (first category business license) = ~$290 minimum for a single-category commercial applicator; additional category exams and practical exam fees add to this total. Service Technician ID issuance or renewal: $20 per card. | 6 | April 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | Yes | — | $200 | 8 | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | Yes | — | $205 | 6 | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $56.13–$101.13+ depending on credentials sought (e.g., $26.13 exam fee + $30.00 license fee = $56.13 for commercial license only; add $26.13 per category exam + $45.00 per category certificate for restricted-use certification) | 6 | April 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $175–$225+ for a commercial applicant entering Category 7A: Core exam ($75) + Category exam ($50) + Commercial license fee ($50) + Business license ($150) + DCA fee ($50) = ~$375 total for a new solo Category 7A business operator; individual commercial applicator only (no business): ~$175 | 6 | April 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Yes | Yes | — | $35 (applicator license fee only; no separate initial application fee found in official sources) | 6 | April 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximate initial costs: $25 (certification exam) + $150 (licensing exam) + ~$20/year license fee + $200/year charter fee + $10,000 surety bond (or $50,000 for WDO/GRC/FUM/BDC new companies). Total out-of-pocket (excluding bond): roughly $395+ for first year for a single-category operator running a charter | 6 | April 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | Yes | — | $750 | 5 | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | Yes | — | $65–$125 for commercial applicator license (3-year); additional business license fee (amount not confirmed from official source); proof of liability insurance also required | 6 | April 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Yes | Yes | — | Applicator license: $30–$120/year depending on number of categories. Company license: $75/year. Online exam service fee (if applicable): $60/exam. Retake fees: $25/exam. No separate initial application fee confirmed from official sources. | 6 | April 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | Yes | — | $150 | 8 | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | Yes | — | $575 | 20 | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $40–$60+ for an individual (exam fee $20 + license fee $20, plus any additional category exam fees at $20 each). LPAB business license fee amount not confirmed from official source. | 6 | April 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Yes | Yes | — | Approximately $185–$230+ (certification fee $75 + ICAL $40 + PBL $70 = $185 minimum; plus optional Pearson VUE exam fee $45 and UW PAT training manual $40–$50 PDF/print) | 6 | April 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Yes | Yes | — | $25 for commercial applicator license (exam fee not separately identified; optional new applicator training program is $150 per person as of 2026) | 6 | April 2026 |
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
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See which states have reciprocity for Pest Control licenses and what's required to transfer.
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