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Pest Control
Total cost: At minimum $55 (exam admin fee); additional application, license, and company license fees not specified in available sources
Governing Authority
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
Official website →5
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
At minimum $55 (exam admin fee); additional application, license, and company license fees not specified in available sources
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Mississippi offers 5 pest control license categories. Available: General Pest Control, Termite/WDO, Fumigation, Lawn and Ornamental, Mosquito Control. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Pass the Mississippi pest control licensing exam. Administered by Written examination administered by the Bureau of Plant Industry; applicants must submit a License Exam Application and receive written approval before testing. Exams are given at least once each quarter (second Tuesday) at Mississippi State. Testing administered through Metro Institute (metrosignup.com or 877-533-2900). If an applicant fails twice consecutively, they must wait a full year before retesting. Exam fee: $55 per test (administrative fee paid to Metro Institute).. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 70%. Exam categories: General Pest Control, Termite/WDO, Fumigation, Lawn and Ornamental, Mosquito Control. Exam fee: $50.
Obtain EPA certification for applying restricted-use pesticides. Categories: Category 7 - Industrial/Institutional/Structural, Category 3 - Turf and Ornamental, Category 8 - Public Health. Federal EPA certification is required for any applicator using restricted-use pesticides. State certification covers general-use pesticides.
Obtain general liability insurance (minimum Required (must carry bond and/or insurance to guarantee performance of services); specific dollar amounts not specified in available sources) and a surety bond of $5,000 as required by Mississippi.
Submit your application to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $75. Total initial fees: At minimum $55 (exam admin fee); additional application, license, and company license fees not specified in available sources.
Mississippi requires a separate business license for pest control companies. Requirements: Employ at least one certified operator as qualifying party, Obtain general liability insurance, Obtain surety bond of $5,000, Register with the state licensing authority. Business license fee: $150.
Renew your license every 3 years (36 months from date of issuance) for Operator Licenses and Permits; 5 years for Private Applicators. Anniversary of certification or licensure (36 months from date of issuance). 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
At minimum $55 (exam admin fee); additional application, license, and company license fees not specified in available sources
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$75
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
3 years (36 months from date of issuance) for Operator Licenses and Permits; 5 years for Private Applicators. Anniversary of certification or licensure (36 months from date of issuance)
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Required (must carry bond and/or insurance to guarantee performance of services); specific dollar amounts not specified in available sources) and surety bond ($5,000) may also be required.
Exam required
Exam required
Exam required
Additional Training
VerifiedAdditional fumigation safety training 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
Written examination administered by the Bureau of Plant Industry; applicants must submit a License Exam Application and receive written approval before testing. Exams are given at least once each quarter (second Tuesday) at Mississippi State. Testing administered through Metro Institute (metrosignup.com or 877-533-2900). If an applicant fails twice consecutively, they must wait a full year before retesting. Exam fee: $55 per test (administrative fee paid to Metro Institute).
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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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
4 years of verifiable experience with a licensed operator within the past 6 years (for Operator License); must be high school graduate or equivalent
Experience Required
Supervision Details
For weed control categories: may substitute with at least 15 semester hours of relevant coursework in lieu of experience. For commercial applicator certification in Categories 7A, 7B, or 7C: must submit evidence of valid experience under a Certified Commercial Applicator or an Associate of Arts degree (or equivalent) in Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, or Entomology.
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 (must carry bond and/or insurance to guarantee performance of services); specific dollar amounts not specified in available sources
Required
Surety Bond
Amount: $5,000
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 | $75 |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | At minimum $55 (exam admin fee); additional application, license, and company license fees not specified in available sources |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years (36 months from date of issuance) for Operator Licenses and Permits; 5 years for Private Applicators. Anniversary of certification or licensure (36 months from date of issuance)
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
Mississippi - 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 Mississippi 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.
Mississippi requires a surety bond for termite work and has high pest pressure year-round. CE requirements are among the lowest in the nation at 4 hours per year.
Mississippi has significant termite and mosquito pressure due to its subtropical climate.
A surety bond is required for termite/WDO work.
CE requirements are relatively low at 4 hours per year.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
Structural pest control operators must issue the official Mississippi Wood Destroying Insect Report when inspecting property for a real estate transaction. A minimum one-year contract must be issued for each property treated for structural pests. Commercial Applicator Certification (not-for-hire) is distinct from an Operator License: certification alone does NOT allow advertising, soliciting business, or performing work for a fee. Both an Operator License and a Company License are required for professional services (for-hire). Out-of-state applicants must complete a power of attorney and submit to the Mississippi Secretary of State. Agricultural Aviation categories (1A, 2, 5, and 6) are regulated by the Agricultural Aviation Board of Mississippi.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Mississippi
See how Mississippi compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Mississippi.
Moving to Mississippi? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Mississippi →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Mississippi to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Louisiana → | Tennessee →
Mississippi requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.