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Pest Control
Total cost: Certified Commercial Applicator: approximately $95+ ($45 exam fee + $50 license fee, plus any additional category exam fees)
Governing Authority
Missouri Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Pesticide Control, Plant Industries Division
Official website →4
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
Certified Commercial Applicator: approximately $95+ ($45 exam fee + $50 license fee, plus any additional category exam fees)
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Missouri offers 4 pest control license categories. Available: General Pest Control, Termite/WDO, Fumigation, Lawn and Ornamental. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Pass the Missouri pest control licensing exam. Administered by Must pass the General Standards of Competence Examination (CORE) plus at least one category examination via Pearson VUE. There are 10 specialty categories; category 1 has two sections (1A: Agricultural Plant, 1B: Agricultural Animal) and category 7 has three sections (7A: General Structural, 7B: Termite, 7C: Fumigation). Examinations are in-person, computer-based at Pearson VUE testing centers (5 locations statewide, by reservation). Passing score: 70 percent. Exam fee: $45 per exam (Certified Commercial Applicator).. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 70%. Exam categories: General Pest Control, Termite/WDO, 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 Required — minimum of $50,000 per occurrence (surety bond or liability insurance policy). Required for Certified Commercial Applicator license; must be maintained at all times during the licensed period.) and a surety bond of Surety bond acceptable in lieu of liability insurance; minimum $50,000 per occurrence as required by Missouri.
Submit your application to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Pesticide Control, Plant Industries Division. Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $50 (Certified Commercial Applicator initial license fee); $25 (Certified Noncommercial Applicator); $35 (NRUP Applicator and Pesticide Technician); $65 (annual license fee per MU Extension publication G855). Total initial fees: Certified Commercial Applicator: approximately $95+ ($45 exam fee + $50 license fee, plus any additional category exam fees).
Missouri 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 License renewal is annual for Certified Commercial Applicators, Certified Noncommercial Applicators, Pesticide Technicians, NRUP Applicators, and Pesticide Dealers; Certification (competency) must be renewed every 3 years for Commercial and Noncommercial Applicators. Licenses expire annually; a 60-day grace period is provided following expiration before cancellation. 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
Certified Commercial Applicator: approximately $95+ ($45 exam fee + $50 license fee, plus any additional category exam fees)
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$50 (Certified Commercial Applicator initial license fee); $25 (Certified Noncommercial Applicator); $35 (NRUP Applicator and Pesticide Technician); $65 (annual license fee per MU Extension publication G855)
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
License renewal is annual for Certified Commercial Applicators, Certified Noncommercial Applicators, Pesticide Technicians, NRUP Applicators, and Pesticide Dealers; Certification (competency) must be renewed every 3 years for Commercial and Noncommercial Applicators. Licenses expire annually; a 60-day grace period is provided following expiration before cancellation
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Required — minimum of $50,000 per occurrence (surety bond or liability insurance policy). Required for Certified Commercial Applicator license; must be maintained at all times during the licensed period.) and surety bond (Surety bond acceptable in lieu of liability insurance; minimum $50,000 per occurrence) 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
Must pass the General Standards of Competence Examination (CORE) plus at least one category examination via Pearson VUE. There are 10 specialty categories; category 1 has two sections (1A: Agricultural Plant, 1B: Agricultural Animal) and category 7 has three sections (7A: General Structural, 7B: Termite, 7C: Fumigation). Examinations are in-person, computer-based at Pearson VUE testing centers (5 locations statewide, by reservation). Passing score: 70 percent. Exam fee: $45 per exam (Certified Commercial Applicator).
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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Study guides for pest control operator and pesticide applicator licensing exams.
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No experience required
For Category 7A (General Structural), 7B (Termite), or 7C (Fumigation): evidence of valid experience using pesticides in those categories while under the direct supervision of a Certified Commercial Applicator is required
Experience Required
Supervision Details
In lieu of experience, applicants may submit an Associate of Arts degree or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, or Entomology (verified by copy of degree or transcript)
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 — minimum of $50,000 per occurrence (surety bond or liability insurance policy). Required for Certified Commercial Applicator license; must be maintained at all times during the licensed period.
Required
Surety Bond
Amount: Surety bond acceptable in lieu of liability insurance; minimum $50,000 per occurrence
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 | $50 (Certified Commercial Applicator initial license fee); $25 (Certified Noncommercial Applicator); $35 (NRUP Applicator and Pesticide Technician); $65 (annual license fee per MU Extension publication G855) |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | Certified Commercial Applicator: approximately $95+ ($45 exam fee + $50 license fee, plus any additional category exam fees) |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedLicense renewal is annual for Certified Commercial Applicators, Certified Noncommercial Applicators, Pesticide Technicians, NRUP Applicators, and Pesticide Dealers; Certification (competency) must be renewed every 3 years for Commercial and Noncommercial Applicators. Licenses expire annually; a 60-day grace period is provided following expiration before cancellation
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
Missouri - 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 Missouri 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.
Missouri sits at a geographic crossroads where northern and southern pest species overlap, requiring operators to be knowledgeable about a wider range of pest species than many other states.
Missouri's Department of Agriculture oversees pest control licensing.
The state follows standard EPA certification categories.
Both eastern and Formosan subterranean termites are present in southern Missouri.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
As of January 1, 2025, major rule changes took effect: (1) A new Noncertified RUP (NRUP) Applicator license was created for anyone using restricted-use pesticides under supervision in commercial/noncommercial/public settings. (2) Pesticide Technician license is required for anyone using general use or minimum risk pesticides in a commercial setting in Category 3 (Ornamental and Turf), 7A (General Structural), or 7B (Termite). (3) Certified Applicators must now recertify in ALL categories on their license plus CORE, not just their most-used category. (4) No separate business/company license is required in Missouri for pest control businesses. Applications and renewals are processed via the MOPlants online portal. Evidence of financial responsibility (insurance or bond) is required for Certified Commercial Applicator license but not for renewal unless requested.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Missouri
See how Missouri compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Moving to Missouri? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Missouri →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Missouri to: Arkansas → | Illinois → | Iowa → | Kansas → | Kentucky → | Nebraska → | Oklahoma → | Tennessee →
Missouri requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Pesticide Control, Plant Industries Division.
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.