🐛 Pest Control Operator License Requirements by State

Compare pest control operator license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level pest control operator license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $50–$50. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$50	$36,120
AKAlaska	Required	—	$50	$48,670
AZArizona	Required	—	$50	$40,120
ARArkansas	Required	—	$50	$34,670
CACalifornia	Required	—	$50	$46,340
COColorado	Required	—	$50	$42,890
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$50	$44,670
DEDelaware	Required	—	$50	$40,120
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$50	$48,670
FLFlorida	Required	—	$50	$38,670
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$50	$38,120
HIHawaii	Required	—	$50	$44,670
IDIdaho	Required	—	$50	$36,670
ILIllinois	Required	—	$50	$42,340
INIndiana	Required	—	$50	$38,670
IAIowa	Required	—	$50	$38,120
KSKansas	Required	—	$50	$36,670
KYKentucky	Required	—	$50	$36,120
LALouisiana	Required	—	$50	$36,670
MEMaine	Required	—	$50	$38,670
MDMaryland	Required	—	$50	$42,120
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$50	$46,670
MIMichigan	Required	—	$50	$40,120
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$50	$42,340
MSMississippi	Required	—	$50	$34,120
MOMissouri	Required	—	$50	$38,670
MTMontana	Required	—	$50	$38,120
NENebraska	Required	—	$50	$36,670
NVNevada	Required	—	$50	$42,120
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$50	$40,670
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$50	$44,670
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$50	$36,120
NYNew York	Required	—	$50	$48,670
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$37,120
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$38,120
OHOhio	Required	—	$50	$38,670
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$50	$36,120
OROregon	Required	—	$50	$42,670
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$50	$40,120
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$50	$40,670
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$36,120
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$34,670
TNTennessee	Required	—	$50	$36,670
TXTexas	Required	—	$50	$38,670
UTUtah	Required	—	$50	$38,120
VTVermont	Required	—	$50	$38,670
VAVirginia	Required	—	$50	$40,120
WAWashington	Required	—	$50	$46,670
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$50	$34,120
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$50	$40,120
WYWyoming	Required	—	$50	$38,120

Common questions about pest control operator licensing

Do all states require a pest control operator license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level pest control operator license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a pest control operator license?

Application fees across the states range $50–$50. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a pest control operator license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.