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Pest Control
Total cost: 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
Governing Authority
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) — Board of Pesticides Control (BPC)
Official website →3
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
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
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Maine offers 3 pest control license categories. Available: General Pest Control, Termite, Lawn and Ornamental. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Pass the Maine pest control licensing exam. Administered by Applicants for Commercial Applicator/Operator must pass two or more written, closed-book exams: the Core Exam (general pesticide information) plus one or more Category Exams (specific profession/use area). Commercial Applicator/Master must additionally pass a written Regulations exam and an oral examination conducted by BPC staff. Exception: pool and spa, mold remediation, and water damage restoration applicators need only one test. Passing score is 80% for all written exams. Passing score: 80%. Exam fee: $10.00 per Core, Category, or Master Regulations written exam; Master oral examination costs an additional $50.00. Exam fees are waived for government employees... Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 80%. Exam categories: General Pest Control, Termite, Lawn and Ornamental. Exam fee: $50.
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 Required for commercial applicators who spray for hire (custom applicators); must be in force at any time a pesticide application is made. Applicants must submit a signed Affidavit of Insurance Coverage form (considered a legally binding document). Specific minimum dollar amounts are set by BPC rule but were not returned in search results — verify current amounts with BPC.) as required by Maine.
Submit your application to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) — Board of Pesticides Control (BPC). Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $105.00 per person for a commercial applicator license (per Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 31, Section 6); third-party sources cite $70 — verify current amount with BPC directly. Total initial fees: 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.
Maine requires a separate business license for pest control companies. Requirements: Employ at least one certified operator as qualifying party, Obtain general liability insurance, Meet all state business registration requirements, Register with the state licensing authority. Business license fee: $150.
Renew your license every Commercial applicator license: renewed every 3 years (license must be renewed by December 31; certification valid for 6 years); Private applicator license: every 3 years by October 31; Agricultural Basic: every 3 years by October 31. Commercial licenses expire December 31; Private and Agricultural Basic licenses expire October 31. 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
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
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$105.00 per person for a commercial applicator license (per Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 31, Section 6); third-party sources cite $70 — verify current amount with BPC directly
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
Commercial applicator license: renewed every 3 years (license must be renewed by December 31; certification valid for 6 years); Private applicator license: every 3 years by October 31; Agricultural Basic: every 3 years by October 31. Commercial licenses expire December 31; Private and Agricultural Basic licenses expire October 31
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Required for commercial applicators who spray for hire (custom applicators); must be in force at any time a pesticide application is made. Applicants must submit a signed Affidavit of Insurance Coverage form (considered a legally binding document). Specific minimum dollar amounts are set by BPC rule but were not returned in search results — verify current amounts with BPC.) may also be required.
Exam required
Exam required
Exam required
Entry-level certification allowing work under direct supervision of a licensed operator
Requirements
Full certification allowing independent pest control work and supervision of technicians
Requirements
License allowing operation of a pest control business
Requirements
Exam Requirements
VerifiedState Exam Required
Examination Requirement
Exam Categories
Exam Provider
Applicants for Commercial Applicator/Operator must pass two or more written, closed-book exams: the Core Exam (general pesticide information) plus one or more Category Exams (specific profession/use area). Commercial Applicator/Master must additionally pass a written Regulations exam and an oral examination conducted by BPC staff. Exception: pool and spa, mold remediation, and water damage restoration applicators need only one test. Passing score is 80% for all written exams. Passing score: 80%. Exam fee: $10.00 per Core, Category, or Master Regulations written exam; Master oral examination costs an additional $50.00. Exam fees are waived for government employees..
Passing Score
80%
Exam Format
Multiple choice, closed book
Retake Policy
May retake after a waiting period, typically 30 days
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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No experience required
None specified for Operator level; Master level requires passing additional Regulations written exam and oral exam
Experience Required
Supervision Details
No specific years of experience are stated as a prerequisite. Certification is based on passing required examinations. Government employees are exempt from exam fees.
Not Required
Training
Approved Programs
No formal training hours required; experience under licensed operator serves as training
Apprenticeship
Work under a licensed operator for 1 year under licensed operator
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: Required for commercial applicators who spray for hire (custom applicators); must be in force at any time a pesticide application is made. Applicants must submit a signed Affidavit of Insurance Coverage form (considered a legally binding document). Specific minimum dollar amounts are set by BPC rule but were not returned in search results — verify current amounts with BPC.
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 | $50 |
Exam Fee | $50 |
Technician License Fee | $25 |
Operator License Fee | $105.00 per person for a commercial applicator license (per Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 31, Section 6); third-party sources cite $70 — verify current amount with BPC directly |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | 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 |
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
VerifiedCommercial applicator license: renewed every 3 years (license must be renewed by December 31; certification valid for 6 years); Private applicator license: every 3 years by October 31; Agricultural Basic: every 3 years by October 31. Commercial licenses expire December 31; Private and Agricultural Basic licenses expire October 31
Renewal Period
6 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Categories
Renewal Fee
$50
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
Maine - contact state agency for reciprocity information.
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 Maine with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
IPM practices required
Details
IPM practices are required or strongly encouraged, particularly for schools and government facilities.
Additional certification required for RUP
Requirements
Must obtain EPA/state certification in specific categories to apply restricted-use pesticides. Additional exam may be required.
Maine has one of the highest CE requirements in the nation at 12 hours per year and mandates IPM in schools. Its dedicated Board of Pesticides Control is separate from the Department of Agriculture.
Maine has a dedicated Board of Pesticides Control.
IPM is mandated for schools and encouraged for all pest control.
CE requirements are higher than average at 12 hours per year.
Maine's cold climate limits some pest species but increases rodent concerns.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
Commercial applicator licenses are company-affiliated — a license is voided when the individual leaves the employing company or agency; the Board must be notified within 10 days of termination.
Companies that are incorporated or employ more than one applicator (licensed or unlicensed) and apply pesticides for hire must obtain a Spray Contracting Firm License (Chapter 35) in addition to individual applicator licenses.
Each branch office must have at least one licensed Master applicator.
All licenses within a company are suspended if the Master applicator is terminated or dies.
Commercial applicators may only apply pesticides in the specific categories for which they are licensed.
Maine uses a unique category system (e.g., 7A Structural General Pest Control, 7F Termite Pests, 7B Structural Fumigation, 7C3 Mold Remediation, etc.). Categories 8A, 8B, and 9 are for government officials only; Categories 10 and 11 require another certification category.
Recent rulemaking has moved commercial license/certification periods to 3 years (aligning them); verify current period with BPC as some sources still cite 6-year certification/2-year license renewal.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine (you) | $350 | 4–20 wks | |
| Massachusetts | $575 | 4–20 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
| Vermont | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Maine
See how Maine compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Calculate the return on investment for your pest control license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
Moving to Maine? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Maine →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Maine to: New Hampshire →
Maine requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) — Board of Pesticides Control (BPC).
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.