Pest Control license requirements by state
Whether you need a pest control license depends on where the job is. Here is every state and DC, read from each state's own licensing board.
46States with a state license
0Partly, or registration only
0Leave it to cities and counties
Pest Control licensing in all 50 states and DC
"Partly" means the state covers only part of the trade, such as jobs over a dollar amount or only residential work, or asks for a registration instead of a tested license. "Local only" means no state license, but your city or county may still require one. Pick a state for its full guide.
| State | State license | License to get |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Structural Professional Services License (main office) |
| Alaska | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Arizona | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Arkansas | Yes | Commercial pest control license, with a licensed operator |
| California | Yes | Structural Pest Control Operator license |
| Colorado | Yes | Commercial pesticide applicator business license |
| Connecticut | Yes | Pesticide application business Certificate of Registration, plus supervisory applicator certification |
| Delaware | Yes | Pesticide Business License, Category 7 (industrial, institutional, structural and health related pest control) |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Pesticide Operator's License, plus a Certified Pesticide Applicator's License |
| Florida | Yes | Pest control business license, with a Certified Pest Control Operator in charge |
| Georgia | Yes | Structural Pest Control Company License, with a certified operator license |
| Hawaii | Yes | Pest control operator's license |
| Idaho | Yes | Professional applicator's license |
| Illinois | Yes | Commercial Structural Pest Control Business License |
| Indiana | Yes | For-hire commercial pesticide applicator certification and license |
| Iowa | Yes | Commercial applicator license |
| Kansas | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Kentucky | Yes | Licensed Pest Control Operator (commercial structural pest management), plus company registration |
| Louisiana | Yes | Structural pest control operator license, plus a Place of Business Permit |
| Maine | Yes | Commercial applicator license, plus a spray contracting firm license |
| Maryland | Yes | Pesticide business license, with a certified pest control applicator |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Pesticide Applicator (core) License, and Commercial Certification for restricted use pesticides |
| Michigan | Yes | Pesticide application business license, with a certified commercial applicator |
| Minnesota | Yes | Structural Pest Control Company license, with an SPCA Master license |
| Mississippi | Yes | Company License, with an Operator License in each category |
| Missouri | Yes | Certified Commercial Applicator license |
| Montana | Yes | Commercial pesticide applicator license |
| Nebraska | Yes | Commercial pesticide applicator license |
| Nevada | Yes | Pest control business license, with a Primary Principal license |
| New Hampshire | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| New Jersey | Yes | Pesticide Applicator Business License, plus a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license |
| New Mexico | Yes | Commercial Applicator license |
| New York | Yes | Pesticide business registration, with a certified commercial applicator |
| North Carolina | Yes | Structural Pest Control License (by phase) |
| North Dakota | Yes | Commercial pesticide applicator certificate |
| Ohio | Yes | Pesticide Business license, plus a Commercial Applicator license |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Commercial pesticide applicator business license |
| Oregon | Yes | Commercial Pesticide Operator license (business), plus a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Pesticide application business license, with a certified commercial applicator |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Commercial pesticide applicator license |
| South Carolina | Yes | 7A Structural Pest Control Business License, with a Designated Certified Applicator |
| South Dakota | Yes | Commercial pesticide applicator license |
| Tennessee | Yes | Pest control charter, with a licensee in each category (such as GRC or WDO) |
| Texas | Yes | Structural pest control commercial business license, with a Responsible Certified Applicator |
| Utah | Yes | Commercial Pesticide Business License, plus a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License |
| Vermont | Yes | Commercial pesticide company license, plus commercial applicator certification |
| Virginia | Yes | Pesticide Business License, with a certified commercial applicator |
| Washington | Yes | Commercial Applicator license (business), with Commercial Operator licenses for employees |
| West Virginia | Yes | Licensed Pesticide Application Business (LPAB), plus a Commercial Applicator license |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Commercial Pesticide Application Business License, plus an individual commercial applicator license |
| Wyoming | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
Each state page lists the official pages it was built from and the date they were checked. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
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