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Pest Control
Total cost: Applicator license: $30–$120/year depending on number of categories. Company license: $75/year. Online exam service fee (if applicable): $60/exam. Retake fees: $25/exam. No separate initial application fee confirmed from official sources.
Governing Authority
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) – Public Health, Agricultural Resource Management (PHARM) Division
Official website →2
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
6 hrs
CE Hours
Applicator license: $30–$120/year depending on number of categories. Company license: $75/year. Online exam service fee (if applicable): $60/exam. Retake fees: $25/exam. No separate initial application fee confirmed from official sources.
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Vermont offers 2 pest control license categories. Available: General Pest Control, Lawn and Ornamental. Choose the category that matches the services you plan to provide.
Pass the Vermont pest control licensing exam. Administered by Must pass the CORE exam plus at least one category exam to become a certified commercial, non-commercial, or government applicator. Categories include: 1A–Agricultural Plant, 1B–Agricultural Animal, 2–Forest Pest Control, 3A–Ornamental & Shade Tree, 3B–Turf, 4–Seed Treatment, 5–Aquatic Pest Control, 6–Right-of-Way, 7A–General (Structural) Pest Control, 7B–Mosquito & Biting Fly, 7C–Food Processing Pest Control, 7D–Wood Preservation, 7E–Cooling Tower/Antimicrobial, 7F–Disinfection & Antimicrobial, 10–Research/Demonstration & Sales, 11–Aerial, and others. All exams are closed book. Exams may be taken in person at VAAFM offices or online (select categories) via Everblue. Online exams carry a $60 service charge per exam payable to Everblue. Passing score: 75% (a score of less than 75% constitutes a failure). Exam fee: No cost to sit for in-person exams at VAAFM; $60 per exam service charge for online exams via Everblue. $25 retake fee for second and third attempts (all methods)... Format: Multiple choice, closed book. Passing score: 75%. Exam categories: General Pest Control, 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 Not specified in confirmed official Vermont Agency of Agriculture sources reviewed) as required by Vermont.
Submit your application to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) – Public Health, Agricultural Resource Management (PHARM) Division. Application fee: $50. Technician license fee: $25. Operator license fee: $30.00 per category per year, maximum of $120 per applicator (i.e., 4 or more categories capped at $120/year). Fees are due after passing the appropriate exam(s).. Total initial fees: Applicator license: $30–$120/year depending on number of categories. Company license: $75/year. Online exam service fee (if applicable): $60/exam. Retake fees: $25/exam. No separate initial application fee confirmed from official sources..
Vermont 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, Non-Commercial, and Government Applicator certificates are renewed annually, though the underlying certification is valid for 5 years). December 31 of the year the license was obtained; annual renewal paperwork, usage report, and fees due by end of November. 6 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Total Initial Licensing Fees
Applicator license: $30–$120/year depending on number of categories. Company license: $75/year. Online exam service fee (if applicable): $60/exam. Retake fees: $25/exam. No separate initial application fee confirmed from official sources.
Includes application, exam,
and license fees
Application Fee
$50
Exam Fee
$50
Technician License
$25
Operator License
$30.00 per category per year, maximum of $120 per applicator (i.e., 4 or more categories capped at $120/year). Fees are due after passing the appropriate exam(s).
Business License
$150
Renewal Fee
$50
Annual (Commercial, Non-Commercial, and Government Applicator certificates are renewed annually, though the underlying certification is valid for 5 years). December 31 of the year the license was obtained; annual renewal paperwork, usage report, and fees due by end of November
Additional costs: General liability insurance (min. Not specified in confirmed official Vermont Agency of Agriculture sources reviewed) may also be 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
Must pass the CORE exam plus at least one category exam to become a certified commercial, non-commercial, or government applicator. Categories include: 1A–Agricultural Plant, 1B–Agricultural Animal, 2–Forest Pest Control, 3A–Ornamental & Shade Tree, 3B–Turf, 4–Seed Treatment, 5–Aquatic Pest Control, 6–Right-of-Way, 7A–General (Structural) Pest Control, 7B–Mosquito & Biting Fly, 7C–Food Processing Pest Control, 7D–Wood Preservation, 7E–Cooling Tower/Antimicrobial, 7F–Disinfection & Antimicrobial, 10–Research/Demonstration & Sales, 11–Aerial, and others. All exams are closed book. Exams may be taken in person at VAAFM offices or online (select categories) via Everblue. Online exams carry a $60 service charge per exam payable to Everblue. Passing score: 75% (a score of less than 75% constitutes a failure). Exam fee: No cost to sit for in-person exams at VAAFM; $60 per exam service charge for online exams via Everblue. $25 retake fee for second and third attempts (all methods)..
Passing Score
75%
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
Experience Required
Supervision Details
No experience required. No education requirement. Applicant must be 18 or older. Felony convictions are prohibited.
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: Not specified in confirmed official Vermont Agency of Agriculture sources reviewed
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 | $30.00 per category per year, maximum of $120 per applicator (i.e., 4 or more categories capped at $120/year). Fees are due after passing the appropriate exam(s). |
Business License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees From batch research results | Applicator license: $30–$120/year depending on number of categories. Company license: $75/year. Online exam service fee (if applicable): $60/exam. Retake fees: $25/exam. No separate initial application fee confirmed from official sources. |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (Commercial, Non-Commercial, and Government Applicator certificates are renewed annually, though the underlying certification is valid for 5 years). December 31 of the year the license was obtained; annual renewal paperwork, usage report, and fees due by end of November
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
Vermont - 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 Vermont 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.
Vermont has one of the smallest pest control markets in the nation with fewer categories due to its cold climate. IPM is strongly encouraged.
Vermont has a very small pest control industry.
IPM is encouraged and sometimes required.
Cold climate limits pest variety significantly.
The state has fewer license categories than most states.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
1) Company licenses (Licensed Pesticide Applicator Company) do not require an examination — applicant must complete a form and submit the required fee. All certified commercial applicators must work for a licensed pesticide company. 2) A separate Category 7F (Disinfection & Antimicrobial Pest Control) certification is required for anyone performing disinfecting or sanitizing services to the property of others using an EPA-registered pesticide. 3) Passing exam scores are valid for 365 days; license fees must be paid within that window to activate the license. 4) Exam retake waiting periods: 1st failure = 1-week wait; 2nd failure of same exam = 28-day wait; 3rd failure of same exam = 1-year (365-day) wait. 5) Not all category exams are available online; Core, Dealer, 3B (Turf), 7B (Vector Pest), 7C (Food Processing), 2 (Forestry), 7A (General Structural), and Private are currently offered online via Everblue. 6) Private Applicator certificate: $25 fee, valid 5 years, requires passing only the CORE exam. 7) Late fee: $27.00 assessed on any renewal received more than 30 days past expiration.
Pest Control requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont (you) | $350 | 4–20 wks | |
| Massachusetts | $575 | 4–20 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | $350 | 4–20 wks | → |
| New York | $1,300 | 4–20 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Vermont
See how Vermont compares: Pest Control License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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How does Vermont 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 Vermont.
Moving to Vermont? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pest Control license to Vermont →
Transfer your Pest Control license from Vermont to: Massachusetts → | New Hampshire → | New York →
Vermont requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) – Public Health, Agricultural Resource Management (PHARM) Division.
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.