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Pest Control
Total cost: Third-party sources estimate initial regulatory costs (principal exam, business license, insurance, bonding) at approximately $1,500–$3,000; NDA advises contacting the agency for current fee schedules
Governing Authority
Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) – Division of Plant Health and Compliance, Pest Control Section
Official website →4
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
Third-party sources estimate initial regulatory costs (principal exam, business license, insurance, bonding) at approximately $1,500–$3,000; NDA advises contacting the agency for current fee schedules
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Nevada 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 Nevada pest control licensing exam. Administered by All applicants must pass exams. Principals must pass: General Knowledge (Core) exam, open-book Laws exam, and a category exam for each category applied for. Operators must pass a Core exam and a category exam. Agents must pass a Core written exam annually. Demonstration and research specialists must pass a Laws and regulations exam and category exams. Passing score: 70% for Principal examinations; 65% for Operator, Consultant, Demonstration and Research Specialist, and Agent examinations. Exam fee: $50 for the first examination; $35 for subsequent examinations (per third-party source — NDA advises confirming current fees directly).. 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 Insurance is required and must be submitted on the NDA-approved insurance form included in the Primary Principal License Application packet. Third-party sources cite at least $300,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate — official NDA form specifies exact amounts.) and a surety bond of Third-party sources cite a surety bond of $10,000 may be required; not confirmed with a specific dollar amount from an official NDA source as required by Nevada.
Submit your application to the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) – Division of Plant Health and Compliance, Pest Control Section. Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: Operator License Fee: $50 (per third-party source); Principal/Primary Principal license fee: not confirmed from official source — third-party source cites ~$100. Total initial fees: Third-party sources estimate initial regulatory costs (principal exam, business license, insurance, bonding) at approximately $1,500–$3,000; NDA advises contacting the agency for current fee schedules.
Nevada 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 $10,000, Register with the state licensing authority. Business license fee: $150.
Renew your license every Annual (for Principal, Primary Principal, Operator, Consultant, Demonstration and Research Specialist, and Agent licenses); Certified Pesticide Applicators (RUP certification only) renew every 4 years. December 31 annually (all pest control licenses expire December 31 and must be renewed annually; Certified Pesticide Applicators recertify by December 31 of their 4-year period). 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
Third-party sources estimate initial regulatory costs (principal exam, business license, insurance, bonding) at approximately $1,500–$3,000; NDA advises contacting the agency for current fee schedules
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
Operator License Fee: $50 (per third-party source); Principal/Primary Principal license fee: not confirmed from official source — third-party source cites ~$100
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
Annual (for Principal, Primary Principal, Operator, Consultant, Demonstration and Research Specialist, and Agent licenses); Certified Pesticide Applicators (RUP certification only) renew every 4 years. December 31 annually (all pest control licenses expire December 31 and must be renewed annually; Certified Pesticide Applicators recertify by December 31 of their 4-year period)
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Insurance is required and must be submitted on the NDA-approved insurance form included in the Primary Principal License Application packet. Third-party sources cite at least $300,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate — official NDA form specifies exact amounts.) and surety bond (Third-party sources cite a surety bond of $10,000 may be required; not confirmed with a specific dollar amount from an official NDA source) 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
All applicants must pass exams. Principals must pass: General Knowledge (Core) exam, open-book Laws exam, and a category exam for each category applied for. Operators must pass a Core exam and a category exam. Agents must pass a Core written exam annually. Demonstration and research specialists must pass a Laws and regulations exam and category exams. Passing score: 70% for Principal examinations; 65% for Operator, Consultant, Demonstration and Research Specialist, and Agent examinations. Exam fee: $50 for the first examination; $35 for subsequent examinations (per third-party source — NDA advises confirming current fees directly).
Passing Score
70%
Exam Format
Multiple choice, closed book
Retake Policy
A 30-day waiting period applies for retaking failed exams.
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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No experience required
2 years of verified experience in the pest control license category sought; OR 6 months of verified experience AND 16 college credits in biological sciences (with at least 8 hours related directly to pest control) from an accredited college or university
Experience Required
Supervision Details
Experience/education alternative applies to Principal/Primary Principal applicants. Applicants must also submit a Principal Test Application with proof of experience and college transcripts if applicable. Operators and Agents do not appear to have the same experience pre-requisite listed.
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: Insurance is required and must be submitted on the NDA-approved insurance form included in the Primary Principal License Application packet. Third-party sources cite at least $300,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate — official NDA form specifies exact amounts.
Required
Surety Bond
Amount: Third-party sources cite a surety bond of $10,000 may be required; not confirmed with a specific dollar amount from an official NDA source
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 | Operator License Fee: $50 (per third-party source); Principal/Primary Principal license fee: not confirmed from official source — third-party source cites ~$100 |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | Third-party sources estimate initial regulatory costs (principal exam, business license, insurance, bonding) at approximately $1,500–$3,000; NDA advises contacting the agency for current fee schedules |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (for Principal, Primary Principal, Operator, Consultant, Demonstration and Research Specialist, and Agent licenses); Certified Pesticide Applicators (RUP certification only) renew every 4 years. December 31 annually (all pest control licenses expire December 31 and must be renewed annually; Certified Pesticide Applicators recertify by December 31 of their 4-year period)
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
Nevada - 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 Nevada 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.
Nevada requires a $10,000 surety bond for pest control businesses. The desert climate creates unique challenges with scorpions, black widows, and drywood termites in the Las Vegas area.
Nevada requires a surety bond for pest control businesses.
The desert climate creates unique pest challenges including scorpions.
Las Vegas has a large pest control market.
Drywood termites are a concern in southern Nevada.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
1) A Primary Principal is required for every pest control business; each additional business location requires a Location Principal. 2) The entire licensing process (after background check clearance) must be completed within 90 days — fingerprint/background checks take 1–3 months and results are valid for 90 days. 3) Fingerprint background checks are required for Primary Principal applicants; applicants convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude may be denied a license. 4) Nevada Cannabis Control Board requires each cannabis cultivation facility to employ at least one certified applicator. 5) Controlling pigeons and other vertebrate pests using only mechanical devices does not require a license. 6) Exams are by appointment only — no walk-ins. 7) Primary Principals are automatically certified for RUP purchase/use/supervision; Principals, Operators, and Agents are not certified unless they separately pass the RUP certification examination. 8) Termite Pretreatment Notification Form and Final Grade Tag are required forms for termite-related work (per NDA forms page).
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
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See how Nevada compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Moving to Nevada? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Nevada →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Nevada to: Arizona → | California → | Idaho → | Oregon → | Utah →
Nevada requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) – Division of Plant Health and Compliance, Pest Control Section.
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.