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Pest Control
Total cost: $180
Governing Authority
Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC), Located at Purdue University
Official website →4
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
5 hrs
CE Hours
$180
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Indiana offers 4 pest control license categories. Available: Category 7a - General Pest Control, Category 7b - Termite/WDO, Category 7d - Fumigation, Category 3 - Turf and Ornamental. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Complete the required pest control training. Purdue Pesticide Programs multi-day training; exams free at Purdue West Lafayette campus Apprenticeship is available: Registered technicians work under certified applicator supervision.
Pass the Indiana pest control licensing exam. Administered by Purdue University; exams available free of charge at West Lafayette campus. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 70%. Exam categories: Core Exam, Category 7a - General Pest, Category 7b - Termite/WDO, Category 7d - Fumigation, Category 3 - Turf/Ornamental. Exam fee: Free at Purdue; fees may apply elsewhere.
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) as required by Indiana.
Submit your application to the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC), Located at Purdue University. Application fee: $45. Technician license fee: $45. Operator license fee: $45. Total initial fees: $180.
Indiana requires a separate business license for pest control companies. Requirements: Employ at least one certified applicator, Pay $45 annual PBL fee, Obtain required insurance. Business license fee: $45.
Renew your license every 5 years (recertification); annual fee. 5 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $45.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
$180
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$45
Exam Fee
Free at Purdue; fees may apply elsewhere
Technician License
$45
Operator License
$45
Business License
$45
Renewal Fee
$45
5 years (recertification); annual fee
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. $300,000) may also be required.
Exam required
Exam required
Exam required
Additional Training
VerifiedAdditional fumigation safety training required
Exam required
Entry-level registration for work under certified applicator supervision
Requirements
Certified to apply pesticides commercially for compensation
Requirements
License to operate a pest control business
Requirements
Exam Requirements
VerifiedState Exam Required
Examination Requirement
Exam Categories
Exam Provider
Purdue University; exams available free of charge at West Lafayette campus
Passing Score
70%
Exam Format
Multiple choice, closed book
Retake Policy
May retake; contact OISC for scheduling
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
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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No experience required
No formal experience requirement; must complete approved training and pass exams
Experience Required
Supervision Details
Registered technicians must work under certified applicator supervision
Required
Training
Approved Programs
Purdue Pesticide Programs multi-day training; exams free at Purdue West Lafayette campus
Apprenticeship
Registered technicians work under certified applicator supervision
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
Not Required
Surety Bond
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 | $45 |
Exam Fee | Free at Purdue; fees may apply elsewhere |
Technician License Fee | $45 |
Operator License Fee | $45 |
Business License Fee | $45 |
Renewal Fee | $45 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies based on categories and license type | $180 |
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 (recertification); annual fee
Renewal Period
5 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Categories
Renewal Fee
$45
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
Indiana 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 Indiana 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 OISC certification to apply restricted-use pesticides.
Indiana's pest control licensing is uniquely administered by the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) housed at Purdue University, not a state department. Exams are available free of charge at Purdue's campus. All annual fees are a uniform $45.
Indiana's pest control licensing is administered by OISC at Purdue University.
Exams are free at Purdue's West Lafayette campus.
All fees are $45 annually.
Certification must be renewed every 5 years.
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
Other professional licenses in Indiana
See how Indiana compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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How does Indiana 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 Indiana.
Moving to Indiana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Indiana →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Indiana to: Illinois → | Kentucky → | Michigan → | Ohio →
Indiana requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC), Located at Purdue University.
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.