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Pest Control
Total cost: $325
4
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
25 hrs
CE Hours
$325
Total Initial Fees
Experience required; varies by category
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Georgia offers 4 pest control license categories. Available: Household Pest Control (HPC), Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO), Fumigation, Lawn and Ornamental. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Gain supervised work experience in pest control. Required: Experience required; varies by category. Registered technicians must work under certified operator supervision
Pass the Georgia pest control licensing exam. Administered by State-administered by Georgia Department of Agriculture; $45 per category exam. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 70%. Exam categories: Household Pest Control, Wood-Destroying Organisms, Fumigation. Exam fee: $45 per category.
Obtain EPA certification for applying restricted-use pesticides. Categories: Category 7 - Industrial/Institutional/Structural, Category 3 - Turf and Ornamental. Federal EPA certification is required for any applicator using restricted-use pesticides. State certification covers general-use pesticides.
Obtain general liability insurance (minimum $300,000) and a surety bond of Required for WDO work as required by Georgia.
Submit your application to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Application fee: $100. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $100. Total initial fees: $325.
Georgia requires a separate business license for pest control companies. Requirements: Employ at least one certified operator, Pay $55 contractor license fee, Obtain required insurance. Business license fee: $55.
Renew your license every 5 years. 25 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $55.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
$325
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$100
Exam Fee
$45 per category
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$100
Business License
$55
Renewal Fee
$55
5 years
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. $300,000) and surety bond (Required for WDO work) may also be required.
Exam required
Exam required
Exam required
Additional Training
VerifiedAdditional fumigation safety training required
Exam required
Entry-level allowing pest control work under certified operator supervision
Requirements
Full certification for independent structural pest control work and supervision
Requirements
Business license for pest control companies
Requirements
Exam Requirements
VerifiedState Exam Required
Examination Requirement
Exam Categories
Exam Provider
State-administered by Georgia Department of Agriculture; $45 per category exam
Passing Score
70%
Exam Format
Multiple choice, closed book
Retake Policy
May retake after waiting period
Overall licensing difficulty: 3/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Pest Control Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Study guides for pest control operator and pesticide applicator licensing exams.
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Experience required
Experience required; varies by category
Experience Required
Supervision Details
Registered technicians must work under certified operator supervision
Not Required
Training
Approved Programs
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension provides training materials
Apprenticeship
Work under certified operator to gain experience
EPA certification required
EPA Categories
Details
Federal EPA certification is required for any applicator using restricted-use pesticides. State certification covers general-use pesticides.
Required
GL Insurance
Min: $300,000
Required
Surety Bond
Amount: Required for WDO work
Required
Business License
Yes
Separate from Individual
Requirements
Not sure if you need a pest control license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $100 |
Exam Fee | $45 per category |
Technician License Fee | $25 |
Operator License Fee | $100 |
Business License Fee | $55 |
Renewal Fee | $55 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies based on categories and license type | $325 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified5 years
Renewal Period
25 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Categories
Renewal Fee
$55
Regulatory Board
Pest control licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering integrated pest management, pesticide safety, environmental regulations, and applicable state/federal law updates.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Transfer Details
Georgia does not offer formal reciprocity.
Pest control license reciprocity varies by state. Some states accept credentials from other states with equivalent requirements, while others require applicants to pass the state exam regardless of prior certification.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Georgia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
IPM not specifically mandated
Details
IPM is encouraged but not mandated.
Additional certification required for RUP
Requirements
Must obtain state certification to apply restricted-use pesticides.
Georgia has a 5-year recertification cycle requiring 25 CE credits per category (HPC, WDO). Computer-based training credits are capped at 10 per category, encouraging in-person continuing education.
Georgia uses a 5-year recertification cycle with 25 CE credits per category.
Exam fees are $45 per category.
Contractor license is $55 annually.
Computer-based training credits are limited to 10 per category.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia (you) | $325 | 4–20 wks | |
| Alabama | $250 | 4–20 wks | → |
| Florida | $700 | 4–20 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $300 | 4–20 wks | → |
| South Carolina | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Georgia
See how Georgia compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare pest control requirements across all states →
Pest Control licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure pest control is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Georgia compare to other states for pest control? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your pest control license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Georgia.
Moving to Georgia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Georgia →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Georgia to: Alabama → | Florida → | North Carolina → | South Carolina → | Tennessee →
Georgia requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.