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Pest Control
Total cost: Approximately $210+ for a Commercial Applicator (e.g., $55 Core exam + $55 Category exam + $100 license fee); more if additional category exams are required
4
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
Approximately $210+ for a Commercial Applicator (e.g., $55 Core exam + $55 Category exam + $100 license fee); more if additional category exams are required
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
New Mexico offers 4 pest control license categories. Available: General Pest Control, Termite, Lawn and Ornamental, Right-of-Way. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Pass the New Mexico pest control licensing exam. Administered by Applicants must pass the National Core Exam (covering pesticide safety, laws, and regulations) and at least one Pest Control Category exam specific to their type of pest control work. Exams are computer-based, administered via Metro Institute at proctored sites statewide. All requirements must be completed within 60 days of application or the process must restart. Passing score: 70% on Core and Category exams. Exam fee: $55 per exam (third-party vendor fee, not collected by NMDA); alternatively $20 per exam if administered by NMDA staff.. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 70%. Exam categories: General Pest Control, Termite, 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 $25,000 each aggregate bodily injury and property damage for ground applications; $50,000 each aggregate bodily injury and property damage for aerial applications) and a surety bond of Surety bond accepted as alternative to liability insurance; bond amount: $100,000 (per 21.17.50 NMAC) as required by New Mexico.
Submit your application to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA). Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $100 (Commercial Applicator License fee, paid after passing exams and submitting proof of financial responsibility); $50 (Commercial Operator/Technician). Total initial fees: Approximately $210+ for a Commercial Applicator (e.g., $55 Core exam + $55 Category exam + $100 license fee); more if additional category exams are required.
New Mexico 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 (Commercial, Public, and Non-Commercial Applicators); every 5 years (Private Applicators). January 31 annually (Commercial, Public, Non-Commercial); January 31 every 5 years (Private). 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
Approximately $210+ for a Commercial Applicator (e.g., $55 Core exam + $55 Category exam + $100 license fee); more if additional category exams are required
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$100 (Commercial Applicator License fee, paid after passing exams and submitting proof of financial responsibility); $50 (Commercial Operator/Technician)
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
Annual (Commercial, Public, and Non-Commercial Applicators); every 5 years (Private Applicators). January 31 annually (Commercial, Public, Non-Commercial); January 31 every 5 years (Private)
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Minimum $25,000 each aggregate bodily injury and property damage for ground applications; $50,000 each aggregate bodily injury and property damage for aerial applications) and surety bond (Surety bond accepted as alternative to liability insurance; bond amount: $100,000 (per 21.17.50 NMAC)) may also be required.
Exam 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
Applicants must pass the National Core Exam (covering pesticide safety, laws, and regulations) and at least one Pest Control Category exam specific to their type of pest control work. Exams are computer-based, administered via Metro Institute at proctored sites statewide. All requirements must be completed within 60 days of application or the process must restart. Passing score: 70% on Core and Category exams. Exam fee: $55 per exam (third-party vendor fee, not collected by NMDA); alternatively $20 per exam if administered by NMDA staff.
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
2 years of pesticide application experience in the category or related category
Experience Required
Supervision Details
Alternative: 1 year of pesticide application experience plus not less than 20 college credit hours in biological or agricultural sciences. For Wood Destroying Pest (Category 7D): 1 year of specific WDO experience plus attendance at 4 hours of approved training is required in addition to the standard requirements.
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 $25,000 each aggregate bodily injury and property damage for ground applications; $50,000 each aggregate bodily injury and property damage for aerial applications
Required
Surety Bond
Amount: Surety bond accepted as alternative to liability insurance; bond amount: $100,000 (per 21.17.50 NMAC)
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 | $100 (Commercial Applicator License fee, paid after passing exams and submitting proof of financial responsibility); $50 (Commercial Operator/Technician) |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | Approximately $210+ for a Commercial Applicator (e.g., $55 Core exam + $55 Category exam + $100 license fee); more if additional category exams are required |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (Commercial, Public, and Non-Commercial Applicators); every 5 years (Private Applicators). January 31 annually (Commercial, Public, Non-Commercial); January 31 every 5 years (Private)
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 Mexico - 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 Mexico 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.
New Mexico's Department of Agriculture is uniquely housed at New Mexico State University (NMSU), combining regulatory functions with the land-grant university system.
New Mexico's Department of Agriculture is housed at New Mexico State University.
The desert climate creates unique pest challenges.
Termite pressure is moderate in the southern part of the state.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
1) Category 7D (Wood Destroying Pests/Termites) has additional requirements: Commercial Applicators must document 1 year of specific WDO experience and attend 4 hours of approved training before sitting for the 7D exam. 2) A new employee of a licensed commercial applicator may work up to 60 calendar days under an Operator/Technician Training Permit, provided a licensed applicator or technician (licensed at least 6 months) is present on the application site. 3) All licensing paperwork and exam passage must be completed within 60 days of application date or the process must begin again. 4) Licenses issued under the New Mexico Pesticide Control Act are nontransferable. 5) Commercial Applicators must submit a current Certificate of Liability Insurance with each annual renewal. 6) NMDA is designated as the State Lead Agency for pesticides and has authority over distribution and use of all pesticides in the state.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in New Mexico
See how New Mexico compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Moving to New Mexico? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to New Mexico →
Transfer your Pest Control license from New Mexico to: Arizona → | Colorado → | Oklahoma → | Texas → | Utah →
New Mexico requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA).
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.