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Pest Control
Total cost: Minimum ~$75 per applicator (exam fee $15 + license fee $60); business/firm registration fee amount not confirmed from official sources
Governing Authority
New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food – Division of Pesticide Control
Official website →3
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
Minimum ~$75 per applicator (exam fee $15 + license fee $60); business/firm registration fee amount not confirmed from official sources
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
New Hampshire offers 3 pest control license categories. Available: General Pest Control, Termite, Lawn and Ornamental. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Pass the New Hampshire pest control licensing exam. Administered by Three-part written examination administered by the Division of Pesticide Control: (1) a core/general knowledge exam, (2) a regulations exam covering federal and NH pesticide laws (FIFRA, RSA 430, Pes 100-1100), and (3) a category-specific exam (operational or supervisory level) for each category sought. An oral examination by a panel of three persons is also required for the Supervisory Level For Hire license after the written exam is passed. Exams are given weekly by appointment. The Supervisory Registration Certificate – General Use pathway requires approved training seminars in lieu of the full supervisory exam process. Exam fee: $15 per exam (Commercial Applicator License Exam Fee).. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 70%. Exam categories: General Pest Control, Termite, 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 – proof of financial responsibility (minimum insurance coverage per Pes 302.03) must be submitted with each registration application; a certificate of insurance naming the Division as certificate holder is required. Specific minimum dollar amounts not retrieved from search results.) as required by New Hampshire.
Submit your application to the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food – Division of Pesticide Control. Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $60 – Commercial Applicator License Fee (annual, per applicator). Total initial fees: Minimum ~$75 per applicator (exam fee $15 + license fee $60); business/firm registration fee amount not confirmed from official sources.
New Hampshire 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 (license renewed each year; full recertification/proof of CE required every 5th year). December 31 (recertification documentation due by December 31 of the designated recertification year). 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
Minimum ~$75 per applicator (exam fee $15 + license fee $60); business/firm registration fee amount not confirmed from official sources
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$60 – Commercial Applicator License Fee (annual, per applicator)
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
Annual (license renewed each year; full recertification/proof of CE required every 5th year). December 31 (recertification documentation due by December 31 of the designated recertification year)
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Required – proof of financial responsibility (minimum insurance coverage per Pes 302.03) must be submitted with each registration application; a certificate of insurance naming the Division as certificate holder is required. Specific minimum dollar amounts not retrieved from search results.) 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
Three-part written examination administered by the Division of Pesticide Control: (1) a core/general knowledge exam, (2) a regulations exam covering federal and NH pesticide laws (FIFRA, RSA 430, Pes 100-1100), and (3) a category-specific exam (operational or supervisory level) for each category sought. An oral examination by a panel of three persons is also required for the Supervisory Level For Hire license after the written exam is passed. Exams are given weekly by appointment. The Supervisory Registration Certificate – General Use pathway requires approved training seminars in lieu of the full supervisory exam process. Exam fee: $15 per exam (Commercial Applicator License Exam Fee).
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
For Commercial For Hire Supervisory Level License: a 3-year requirement per Pes 303.01, satisfiable by a combination of license experience, work experience, and education. For the Supervisory Registration Certificate – General Use (categories B and G2): exempt from the 3-year education/experience requirement. For Operational Level License (Not For Hire and other non-supervisory): no documented pre-application experience requirement found beyond supervision by a Supervisory license holder.
Experience Required
Supervision Details
A combination of license experience, work experience, and education may be used to satisfy the 3-year requirement for the Commercial For Hire Supervisory Level. Applicants must submit a Resume Form with all verification documents for Division review before being admitted to the supervisory exam. The Division responds in writing within 30 days as to whether the eligibility requirements of Pes 303.01 are satisfied.
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 – proof of financial responsibility (minimum insurance coverage per Pes 302.03) must be submitted with each registration application; a certificate of insurance naming the Division as certificate holder is required. Specific minimum dollar amounts not retrieved from search results.
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 | $60 – Commercial Applicator License Fee (annual, per applicator) |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | Minimum ~$75 per applicator (exam fee $15 + license fee $60); business/firm registration fee amount not confirmed from official sources |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (license renewed each year; full recertification/proof of CE required every 5th year). December 31 (recertification documentation due by December 31 of the designated recertification year)
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
New Hampshire - 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 New Hampshire with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
IPM practices required
Details
IPM practices are required or strongly encouraged, particularly for schools and government facilities.
Additional certification required for RUP
Requirements
Must obtain EPA/state certification in specific categories to apply restricted-use pesticides. Additional exam may be required.
New Hampshire has a dedicated Division of Pesticide Control rather than housing pest control licensing under the general agriculture department.
New Hampshire has a dedicated Division of Pesticide Control.
IPM is encouraged for all applications and mandated for some settings.
Cold climate limits the variety of pest species.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
1) NH distinguishes between Commercial For Hire, Commercial Not For Hire, and Private Applicator license types. 2) Every for-hire commercial business entity must hold a Certificate of Registration (Firm Registration); not-for-hire entities are exempt from firm registration. 3) There are 21 commercial applicator categories including F1 (Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health Related Pest Control / General Pest Control), F3 (Termites and Wood Destroying Insects), F4 (Fumigation), F2 (Mosquito and Black Fly), and others. 4) At least one crew member applying pesticides must hold at minimum an Operational Level License. 5) The Supervisory Registration Certificate – General Use is an entry-level general use pathway (certain categories only: B, C1, F8, G1, G2, F2 limited) that bypasses the full 3-year experience/education requirement for the standard supervisory exam. 6) Governing legislation: NH RSA 430:33; Administrative Rules Chapter Pes 100-
7) Proof of financial responsibility (insurance certificate naming Division as certificate holder) must be submitted at application and renewal.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
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Moving to New Hampshire? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to New Hampshire →
Transfer your Pest Control license from New Hampshire to: Maine → | Massachusetts → | Vermont →
New Hampshire requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food – Division of Pesticide Control.
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.