Structural Pest Control and Pesticides - Pesticides Licenses

A pesticide license is required for commercial applicators applying any type of pesticide for compensation, public operators working for a state or local government who apply pesticides in their course of work, dealers selling restricted use pesticides, or pest control consultants making recommendations for pesticide treatment of pest problems. Pesticide licenses must be renewed annually. Pesticide certification is required for farmers (private applicators) wishing to apply restricted use pesticides to an agricultural commodity. Private applicator certifications must be renewed every three (3) years.

Pesticide License Types

Ground Applications & Other Licenses

• 026 - Commercial Ground Applicator
• 030 - Pesticide Consultant
• 031 - Federal/State Public Pesticide Operator (Ground)
• 032 - County/City Public Pesticide Operator (Ground)
• 033 - Public Utility Ground Applicator
• 037 - Pesticide Dealer

026 - Commercial Ground Applicator

This license is required for anyone applying pesticides (non-aerial) for compensation on someone else’s property per the NC Pesticide Law of 1971. Examples include:

• Landscapers/Lawn Care
• Mosquito companies (non-structural applications)
• Contractors spraying farms, golf courses, etc.

Applicators are certified for five (5) years and the renewal fee is seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year.

Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, K_(livestock), K_(PU), K_(SA), L, M, N, O, S, T

030 - Pesticide Consultant

This license is required for anyone who offers pesticide application/pest control advice, aid, and/or assistance for a fee. The license DOES NOT ALLOW licensee to make pesticide applications.

• Submission of college transcripts showing successful completion of Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program.
  • Transcripts MUST include at least 30 hours of coursework in the intended consulting category. Email transcripts to PesticideExams@ncagr.gov.

  Applicators are certified for five (5) years and the renewal fee is seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year.

  Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, K_(livestock), K_(PU), K_(SA), L, M, O, S, T

  031 - Federal/State Public Pesticide Operator (Ground)

  This license is required for anyone applying pesticides (non-aerial) for their employer, who is a Federal or State entity only. (This DOES NOT include contractors or other individuals hired to perform the services.) The license DOES NOT ALLOW commercial "on-the-side" pesticide applications.

  Examples of entities with eligible employees:

  • US Dept of Agriculture - APHIS
  • NC Dept of Transportation
  • NC State Parks
  • NC Dept of Agriculture & CS
  • NC State University - County Extension Service

  Applicators are certified for five (5) years and there is no fee associated with this license.

  Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, K_(livestock), K_(PU), K_(SA), L, M, N, O, S, T

  032 - County/City Public Pesticide Operator (Ground)

  This license is required for anyone applying pesticides (non-aerial) for their employer, who is a County or City/Municipal entity only. (This DOES NOT include contractors or other individuals hired to perform the services.) The license DOES NOT ALLOW commercial "on-the-side" pesticide applications.

  Examples of entities with eligible employees:

  • Mecklenburg County maintenance
  • Wake County Public Schools
  • City of Raleigh

  Applicators are certified for five (5) years and there is no fee associated with this license.

  Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, K_(livestock), K_(PU), K_(SA), L, M, N, O, S, T

  033 - Public Utility Ground Applicator

  This license is required for anyone applying pesticides (non-aerial) for their employer operating a Right-of-Way to support utilities. (This DOES NOT include contractors or other individuals hired to perform the services.) The license DOES NOT ALLOW commercial "on-the-side" pesticide applications.

  Examples of entities with eligible employees:

  • Duke Energy
  • Dominion Energy

  Applicators are certified for five (5) years and the renewal fee is seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year.

  Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, K_(livestock), K_(PU), K_(SA), L, M, N, O, S, T

  037 - Pesticide Dealer

  This license is required for anyone making Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) available to a certified end user. Each company MUST have at least one 1 Dealer license at every physical location.

  Applicators are certified for five (5) years and the renewal fee is seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year.

  There is no category associated with this license and the only required exam is the Dealer exam.