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Pest Control
Total cost: Approximately $35 ($10 exam fee + $25 license fee) per third-party sources; additional category exam fees apply; verify with official program
Governing Authority
North Dakota Department of Agriculture (regulatory/enforcement) and North Dakota State University Extension Pesticide Certification and Training Program (certification administration)
Official website →3
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
Approximately $35 ($10 exam fee + $25 license fee) per third-party sources; additional category exam fees apply; verify with official program
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
North Dakota 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 North Dakota pest control licensing exam. Administered by Core exam (basic laws and safety, ground and/or aerial) plus one or more category-specific exams. North Dakota has 11 certification categories: Agricultural Pest Control (Plant and Animal), Commodity and Structural Fumigation, Greenhouse, Home Industrial and Institutional Pest Control, Ornamental & Turf Pest Control, Public Health Pest Control, Research and Demonstration, Right-of-Way, Seed Treatment Pest Control, Wood Preservatives, Vertebrate Pest Control, and Sewer Root Control. Exams are written, monitored by NDSU Extension personnel, administered by appointment through local NDSU County Extension Offices. No oral testing; all tests in English. Passing score: 70% (50-question core exam). Exam fee: $10 per exam (third-party source; verify with NDSU Extension).. Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 70%. 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 Financial responsibility required for Commercial Applicators: minimum net assets of $100,000 (documented by a notarized letter from a financial institution officer or CPA) or equivalent proof; specific liability insurance dollar amounts not specified in sources found) as required by North Dakota.
Submit your application to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (regulatory/enforcement) and North Dakota State University Extension Pesticide Certification and Training Program (certification administration). Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $25 (third-party source; verify with NDSU Extension or NDDA for current amount). Total initial fees: Approximately $35 ($10 exam fee + $25 license fee) per third-party sources; additional category exam fees apply; verify with official program.
North Dakota 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 Every 3 years. April 1 — certificate expires the first day of April following two years from the year of issuance (i.e., on a 3-year cycle ending April 1). 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
Approximately $35 ($10 exam fee + $25 license fee) per third-party sources; additional category exam fees apply; verify with official program
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$25 (third-party source; verify with NDSU Extension or NDDA for current amount)
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
Every 3 years. April 1 — certificate expires the first day of April following two years from the year of issuance (i.e., on a 3-year cycle ending April 1)
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Financial responsibility required for Commercial Applicators: minimum net assets of $100,000 (documented by a notarized letter from a financial institution officer or CPA) or equivalent proof; specific liability insurance dollar amounts not specified in sources found) 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 exam (basic laws and safety, ground and/or aerial) plus one or more category-specific exams. North Dakota has 11 certification categories: Agricultural Pest Control (Plant and Animal), Commodity and Structural Fumigation, Greenhouse, Home Industrial and Institutional Pest Control, Ornamental & Turf Pest Control, Public Health Pest Control, Research and Demonstration, Right-of-Way, Seed Treatment Pest Control, Wood Preservatives, Vertebrate Pest Control, and Sewer Root Control. Exams are written, monitored by NDSU Extension personnel, administered by appointment through local NDSU County Extension Offices. No oral testing; all tests in English. Passing score: 70% (50-question core exam). Exam fee: $10 per exam (third-party source; verify with NDSU Extension).
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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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Study guides for pest control operator and pesticide applicator licensing exams.
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No experience required
None specified
Experience Required
Supervision Details
No experience requirement found in official sources. Certification is achieved by passing the written examination(s) as prescribed by the North Dakota Pesticide Control Board.
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: Financial responsibility required for Commercial Applicators: minimum net assets of $100,000 (documented by a notarized letter from a financial institution officer or CPA) or equivalent proof; specific liability insurance dollar amounts not specified in sources found
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 | $25 (third-party source; verify with NDSU Extension or NDDA for current amount) |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | Approximately $35 ($10 exam fee + $25 license fee) per third-party sources; additional category exam fees apply; verify with official program |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedEvery 3 years. April 1 — certificate expires the first day of April following two years from the year of issuance (i.e., on a 3-year cycle ending April 1)
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
North Dakota - 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 North Dakota 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.
North Dakota's cold climate means termite control is essentially nonexistent. The state has among the lowest licensing fees and CE requirements in the nation.
North Dakota has a small pest control industry.
Cold climate means termites are not a significant concern.
The state offers reciprocity with 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.
Pesticide certification and training is uniquely administered by NDSU Extension (not directly by the ND Dept. of Agriculture — NDDA handles enforcement).
Commercial Applicators must provide and maintain proof of financial responsibility (minimum $100,000 net assets or equivalent).
North Dakota has 11 certification categories; applicators must be certified in each category in which they apply or merchandise pesticides.
Structural/pest control work requires Category 7 (Home, Industrial and Institutional Pest Control) certification.
As of August 1, 2001, commercial and public applicators must be certified to use even general-use pesticides (not just restricted-use).
There is no entry-level technician/trainee credential identified in official sources — uncertified persons may work under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in North Dakota
See how North Dakota compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Calculate the return on investment for your pest control license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in North Dakota.
Moving to North Dakota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to North Dakota →
Transfer your Pest Control license from North Dakota to: Minnesota → | Montana → | South Dakota →
North Dakota requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (regulatory/enforcement) and North Dakota State University Extension Pesticide Certification and Training Program (certification administration).
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.