- Two years of verifiable experience under a licensee in the category, or a related four year degree, or a similar license in another state.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- A $10,000 surety bond for the charter. New companies with a WDO, GRC, FUM or BDC licensee need a $50,000 bond.
Do you need a state license in Tennessee?
Tennessee licenses pest control work at the state level through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Program. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Tennessee license types for pest control work
Tennessee splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| General Pest and Rodent Control (GRC) | Pests that invade structures, not covered by other categories |
| Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO) | Termites, wood borers, carpenter bees, carpenter ants and decay |
| Fumigation, Structural (FUM) | Pest control by gas |
| Bird Control (BDC) | Bird pests |
Steps to get licensed in Tennessee
- Get commercially certified in the right category, such as category 7 for structural work.
- Qualify with two years under a licensee, a related degree, or a license from another state.
- Pass the online license exam ($150) with 70 percent.
- Apply for the charter with the $10,000 bond and proof of liability insurance.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Two years of verifiable experience under a licensee in the category, or a related four year degree, or a similar license in another state.
The license to apply for. Pest control charter, with a licensee in each category (such as GRC or WDO).
Tennessee pest control exams
Trade exam. Commercial certification first, then an online license exam with questions and specimen identification. You need 70 percent.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Tennessee
The board lists 3 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Charter, per year (prorated) | $200 |
| License exam | $150 |
| License, per category per year (prorated) | $20 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Liability insurance of at least $250,000 per incident and $500,000 aggregate. Firms with a WDO licensee also carry errors and omissions coverage of $100,000 per incident and $300,000 aggregate.
Bond. A $10,000 surety bond for the charter. New companies with a WDO, GRC, FUM or BDC licensee need a $50,000 bond.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Tennessee
- Each office location needs its own charter, and a licensee can be listed on only one charter.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for pest control near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Program and the official pages below, checked October 9, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how pest control companies run on Koira.