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Pest Control
Total cost: $85 per Commercial Applicator license (exam fee not confirmed from official sources)
3
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
$85 per Commercial Applicator license (exam fee not confirmed from official sources)
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Montana offers 3 pest control license categories. Available: General Pest Control, Lawn and Ornamental, Right-of-Way. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Pass the Montana pest control licensing exam. Administered by Core certification exam required for all applicators and dealers; applicators must also pass at least one category-specific classification exam. Core exam covers pesticide safety, label comprehension, environmental protection, and Montana laws. Category exams cover specific pest control areas (e.g., Industrial, Structural & Institutional [cat. 40]; Ornamental & Turf [cat. 34]; Public Health [cat. 38]; etc.). Exams are available by appointment at MDA District offices; computer-based testing also available in Great Falls, Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, and Glendive through Metro Institute. Passing score: 80% or better (core and category exams for commercial applicators and operators).. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 80%. Exam categories: General Pest Control, Lawn and Ornamental, Right-of-Way. 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 Minimum $30,000 liability insurance required for all commercial applicators (except wood product treatment and seed treatment classifications); minimum $50,000 for aerial applicators. Proof of financial responsibility must be provided before a license is issued; coverage must be affirmed at each renewal.) as required by Montana.
Submit your application to the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA). Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $85 per license for Commercial, Non-Commercial, Public Utility Applicator, and Dealer licenses (new and renewed); $70 per license for Governmental Applicator and Governmental Dealer (first 4 per agency); additional governmental licenses beyond 4: $15 each; agencies capped at $895/year; Federal and Tribal agencies exempt from all licensing fees. Total initial fees: $85 per Commercial Applicator license (exam fee not confirmed from official sources).
Montana 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 (Operator licenses and applicator licenses expire December 31 each year and must be renewed annually); Commercial, Non-Commercial, Government, and Special Utility applicators and dealers must also meet a 4-year recertification/CE cycle per category. December 31 annually. 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
$85 per Commercial Applicator license (exam fee not confirmed from official sources)
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$85 per license for Commercial, Non-Commercial, Public Utility Applicator, and Dealer licenses (new and renewed); $70 per license for Governmental Applicator and Governmental Dealer (first 4 per agency); additional governmental licenses beyond 4: $15 each; agencies capped at $895/year; Federal and Tribal agencies exempt from all licensing fees
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
Annual (Operator licenses and applicator licenses expire December 31 each year and must be renewed annually); Commercial, Non-Commercial, Government, and Special Utility applicators and dealers must also meet a 4-year recertification/CE cycle per category. December 31 annually
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Minimum $30,000 liability insurance required for all commercial applicators (except wood product treatment and seed treatment classifications); minimum $50,000 for aerial applicators. Proof of financial responsibility must be provided before a license is issued; coverage must be affirmed at each renewal.) 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
Core certification exam required for all applicators and dealers; applicators must also pass at least one category-specific classification exam. Core exam covers pesticide safety, label comprehension, environmental protection, and Montana laws. Category exams cover specific pest control areas (e.g., Industrial, Structural & Institutional [cat. 40]; Ornamental & Turf [cat. 34]; Public Health [cat. 38]; etc.). Exams are available by appointment at MDA District offices; computer-based testing also available in Great Falls, Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, and Glendive through Metro Institute. Passing score: 80% or better (core and category exams for commercial applicators and operators).
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
Experience Required
Supervision Details
No prior experience or degree is required. Competency is demonstrated through examination. Study materials (National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual and Montana State Laws and Regulations Pertaining to the Use of Pesticides) are available from the MDA.
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: Minimum $30,000 liability insurance required for all commercial applicators (except wood product treatment and seed treatment classifications); minimum $50,000 for aerial applicators. Proof of financial responsibility must be provided before a license is issued; coverage must be affirmed at each renewal.
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 | $85 per license for Commercial, Non-Commercial, Public Utility Applicator, and Dealer licenses (new and renewed); $70 per license for Governmental Applicator and Governmental Dealer (first 4 per agency); additional governmental licenses beyond 4: $15 each; agencies capped at $895/year; Federal and Tribal agencies exempt from all licensing fees |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | $85 per Commercial Applicator license (exam fee not confirmed from official sources) |
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 (Operator licenses and applicator licenses expire December 31 each year and must be renewed annually); Commercial, Non-Commercial, Government, and Special Utility applicators and dealers must also meet a 4-year recertification/CE cycle per category. December 31 annually
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
Montana - 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 Montana 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.
Montana's cold climate means termite control is essentially absent from the pest control market. The state has some of the lowest licensing fees in the country.
Montana has a relatively small pest control industry.
The cold climate means termites are not a significant concern.
The state offers reciprocity with some neighboring states.
Licensing fees are among the lowest in the nation.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
A pesticide license is issued to an individual, not a business; every pesticide business must have at least one licensed individual.
Operators may not apply pesticides more than 100 miles from the licensed applicator's physical location.
Operators can be licensed by: (a) passing a department exam with 80%+, (b) attending a department training course, or (c) receiving training from a certified applicator.
Applicators must maintain application records for 2 years and provide them to MDA upon request.
The Industrial, Structural & Institutional (category 40) classification covers structural pest control (including pest control companies).
MDA hosts an optional 3-day core training course for initial certification annually.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana (you) | $350 | 4–20 wks | |
| Idaho | $275 | 4–20 wks | → |
| North Dakota | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
| South Dakota | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
| Wyoming | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Montana
See how Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana.
Moving to Montana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Montana →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Montana to: Idaho → | North Dakota → | South Dakota → | Wyoming →
Montana requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA).
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.