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Pest Control
Total cost: Commercial applicator (1 category): ~$139+ (exam $75 + license $64 + ACRRA surcharge). Structural Journeyman: ~$300+ (exam $250 + license $50 + ACRRA surcharge). Company license: $225 additional.
4
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
Commercial applicator (1 category): ~$139+ (exam $75 + license $64 + ACRRA surcharge). Structural Journeyman: ~$300+ (exam $250 + license $50 + ACRRA surcharge). Company license: $225 additional.
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Minnesota offers 4 pest control license categories. Available: General Pest Control, Termite, Fumigation, Lawn and Ornamental. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Pass the Minnesota pest control licensing exam. Administered by Closed-book, monitored exams administered by the MDA. All new Commercial and Non-Commercial applicants must take Category A (Core) plus one or more additional use-category exams. Structural applicants must take the Core (Category A) plus the SPCA Journeyman or Master exam. SPCA Master additionally requires two years of licensed Journeyman experience. A Fumigation Endorsement exam can be added to a Structural license. Passing score: 70% or higher (referenced for exam scoring; same standard applied across license types per MDA exam process). Exam fee: Commercial/Noncommercial: $75 per category (Categories M & N: $150 per category); Structural (SPCA Journeyman or Master): $250; Fumigation category: $150.. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 70%. Exam categories: General Pest Control, Termite, Fumigation, 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 Commercial Applicators: $50,000 bodily injury or death per person/per occurrence; $25,000 property damage per occurrence. Structural Pest Control Applicators: $100,000 bodily injury; $200,000 bodily injury or death for two or more persons per occurrence; $10,000 property damage per occurrence.) and a surety bond of Alternative to insurance: A performance or surety bond in the same monetary amounts as the liability insurance requirements is accepted in lieu of insurance for Commercial and Structural applicators. Structural applicators may alternatively demonstrate net assets of $50,000 or greater. as required by Minnesota.
Submit your application to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: Commercial/Noncommercial: $64 (covers license from date of issuance through December 31). Structural Pest Control Applicator (Journeyman or Master): $50 (date of issuance through December 31).. Total initial fees: Commercial applicator (1 category): ~$139+ (exam $75 + license $64 + ACRRA surcharge). Structural Journeyman: ~$300+ (exam $250 + license $50 + ACRRA surcharge). Company license: $225 additional..
Minnesota 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 Annual (all pesticide applicator licenses expire December 31 and must be renewed each year). December 31 of each year (all license types). 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
Commercial applicator (1 category): ~$139+ (exam $75 + license $64 + ACRRA surcharge). Structural Journeyman: ~$300+ (exam $250 + license $50 + ACRRA surcharge). Company license: $225 additional.
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
Commercial/Noncommercial: $64 (covers license from date of issuance through December 31). Structural Pest Control Applicator (Journeyman or Master): $50 (date of issuance through December 31).
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
Annual (all pesticide applicator licenses expire December 31 and must be renewed each year). December 31 of each year (all license types)
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Commercial Applicators: $50,000 bodily injury or death per person/per occurrence; $25,000 property damage per occurrence. Structural Pest Control Applicators: $100,000 bodily injury; $200,000 bodily injury or death for two or more persons per occurrence; $10,000 property damage per occurrence.) and surety bond (Alternative to insurance: A performance or surety bond in the same monetary amounts as the liability insurance requirements is accepted in lieu of insurance for Commercial and Structural applicators. Structural applicators may alternatively demonstrate net assets of $50,000 or greater.) may also be required.
Exam required
Exam required
Exam required
Additional Training
VerifiedAdditional fumigation safety training 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
Closed-book, monitored exams administered by the MDA. All new Commercial and Non-Commercial applicants must take Category A (Core) plus one or more additional use-category exams. Structural applicants must take the Core (Category A) plus the SPCA Journeyman or Master exam. SPCA Master additionally requires two years of licensed Journeyman experience. A Fumigation Endorsement exam can be added to a Structural license. Passing score: 70% or higher (referenced for exam scoring; same standard applied across license types per MDA exam process). Exam fee: Commercial/Noncommercial: $75 per category (Categories M & N: $150 per category); Structural (SPCA Journeyman or Master): $250; Fumigation category: $150.
Passing Score
70%
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
SPCA Master requires a minimum of two years of licensed Journeyman experience under a licensed SPCA Company and SPCA Master. SPCA Journeyman and Commercial applicators: no prior experience requirement beyond passing the exam.
Experience Required
Supervision Details
No education substitution options found in official sources. SPCA Master alternative: full-time licensed Master experience in another state with equivalent certification requirements may substitute for MN Journeyman experience.
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: Commercial Applicators: $50,000 bodily injury or death per person/per occurrence; $25,000 property damage per occurrence. Structural Pest Control Applicators: $100,000 bodily injury; $200,000 bodily injury or death for two or more persons per occurrence; $10,000 property damage per occurrence.
Required
Surety Bond
Amount: Alternative to insurance: A performance or surety bond in the same monetary amounts as the liability insurance requirements is accepted in lieu of insurance for Commercial and Structural applicators. Structural applicators may alternatively demonstrate net assets of $50,000 or greater.
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 | Commercial/Noncommercial: $64 (covers license from date of issuance through December 31). Structural Pest Control Applicator (Journeyman or Master): $50 (date of issuance through December 31). |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | Commercial applicator (1 category): ~$139+ (exam $75 + license $64 + ACRRA surcharge). Structural Journeyman: ~$300+ (exam $250 + license $50 + ACRRA surcharge). Company license: $225 additional. |
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
VerifiedAnnual (all pesticide applicator licenses expire December 31 and must be renewed each year). December 31 of each year (all license types)
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
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Limited reciprocity with select states
Transfer Details
Minnesota - contact state agency for reciprocity information.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
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 Minnesota 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 by state regulation.
Additional certification required for RUP
Requirements
Must obtain EPA/state certification in specific categories to apply restricted-use pesticides. Additional exam may be required.
Minnesota offers reciprocity with some neighboring states including Wisconsin. Cold climate means termite work is less common than in southern states but still occurs in the southern part of the state.
Minnesota's Department of Agriculture oversees pest control licensing.
The state offers limited reciprocity with Wisconsin and other neighboring states.
Cold climate limits termite activity to certain areas.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
There is no standalone 'Registered Technician' or entry-level worker credential separate from the Journeyman license — all persons applying pesticides for hire in structures must hold a valid SPCA Journeyman (or Master) license and must be employed by a licensed Structural Pest Control Company.
The SPCA license is separate from a Commercial/Noncommercial license; applicators seeking additional non-structural use categories must also obtain a Commercial license.
A Fumigation Endorsement can be added to a Structural Applicator License via an additional exam ($150).
License becomes invalid immediately upon change of employer; applicator must obtain a new license under the new company name before resuming work.
Application fees and ACRRA (Agricultural Chemical Response and Reimbursement Account) surcharge are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Structural licenses lapse entirely if not renewed within 3 months of December 31 expiration (by March 31), requiring the applicant to restart as a new applicant including retesting.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota (you) | $350 | 4–20 wks | |
| Iowa | $200 | 4–20 wks | → |
| North Dakota | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
| South Dakota | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
| Wisconsin | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Minnesota
See how Minnesota 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 →
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How does Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
Moving to Minnesota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Minnesota →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Minnesota to: Iowa → | North Dakota → | South Dakota → | Wisconsin →
Minnesota requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.