Ohio Pest Control License: How to Get Certified for Pest Control in OH

Do you need a pesticide license in Ohio?

Yes, the state of Ohio requires that you have a pesticide license to perform pest control work. 

With the appropriate license type and category, you can legally apply general and restricted-use pesticides in commercial and residential settings. Upon obtaining your Ohio pesticide license, you may perform the following:

• Apply general or restricted-use pesticides to the property of another without direct supervision.
• Apply restricted-use pesticides to the property of your employer or apply either general or restricted-use pesticides to federal, state, or local public property.
• Own or operate a pesticide business. 

A pest control license in Ohio ensures that you are working legally and being paid accordingly.

Types of pesticide licenses in Ohio

The type of license you need will depend on the type of work you would like to do. Ohio offers three types of pesticide applicator licenses that can be used across different category types, so make sure you know which one is right for you.

The Pesticide Regulation Program divides pest control licenses into the following types:

License Type	Description
Private Pesticide Applicator License	License holders may use or directly supervise the use of any restricted-use pesticide for the purpose of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by their employer.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License	License holders may apply general or restricted-use pesticides to the property of another or to federal, state or local public property.
Pesticide Business & Business Location License	License holders may operate a business of applying pesticides to the property of another for hire.

Under the Private and Commercial Pesticide Applicator Licenses, there are multiple license categories which allow the applicator to specialize in more than one category in order to take on more jobs. 

Here are the categories for Private and Commercial Pesticide Applicator Licenses:

Private Pesticide Applicator

License Category	Description
Grain and Cereal Crops	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides, except fumigants, to agronomic field crops–including but not limited to–corn, grain sorghums, other small grains, soybeans, and sweet corn. This category includes the application for specialty uses (see Category 7 below).
Forage Crops and Livestock	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides for use on hay, forage, fodder, or ensilage, and includes, but is not limited to, such crops as corn and legumes, and to domestic animals which are held as agricultural commodities and their quarters. This category includes the application for specialty uses (see Category 7 below).
Fruit and Vegetable Crops	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to orchard fruit crops and small fruits, including–but not limited to– strawberries, brambles and grapes, field-grown vegetables, sugar beets, sweet corn, and other horticultural crops grown primarily for human consumption.  This category includes the application for specialty uses (see Category 7 below).
Nursery and Forest Crops	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to commercial nursery crops–including but not limited to–trees, shrubs, grasses and herbaceous plants produced for replanting for their ornamental value or for future fruit production, and tree crops produced for use as Christmas trees or for their utilitarian value. This category includes the application for specialty uses (see Category 7 below).
Greenhouse Crops	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to crops grown for food production or ornamental value under an impervious surface large enough to permit worker entry.  This category includes the application for specialty uses (see Category 7 below).
Fumigation	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to soil, grain storage, greenhouse areas, or any other confined areas.  This category includes the application for specialty uses (see Category 7 below).
Specialty Use	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides for purposes not covered by categories 1-6 (see below), including but not limited to: applications for wood preservation, aquaculture, seed treatment, sod production, and for controlling pests of tobacco, ponds, and non-cropland areas.

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Categories

License Category	Description
1 – Aerial	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides by aircraft, including both manned and unmanned craft.
2a – Agronomic	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to agronomic crops for the control of pests other than weeds.
2b – Horticultural	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to fruit and vegetable crops for the control of pests other than weeds.
2c – Agricultural Weed	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides for the control of weeds in agronomic crops or horticultural crops.
2d – Seed Treatment	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to seed for the control of insects and disease organisms.
2e – Tobacco Sucker Control	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to tobacco plants for the control of sucker growth.
2f – Soil Fumigation	License holders may apply restricted-use fumigants for the control of soil-inhabiting pests.
3a – Aquatic	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to standing or running water, other than swimming pools, for the control of aquatic pests.
3b – Boat Anti-Foulant	License holders may apply restricted-use antifoulants to boats for the control of undesirable organisms.
3c – Sewer Root Control	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to sewer pipes for the control of tree roots.
4a – Forest	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to forested areas for the control of tree pests and weeds, and for the selective elimination of unwanted wood species as a forest management practice.
4b – Wood Preservation	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to wood products such as crossties, poles, shingles, posts, or other wood products that are not part of a structure when treated and are or will be exposed to insects, fungi, marine pests, or weather.
5 – Industrial Vegetation	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to non-agricultural lands, such as roadways, public water courses, utility rights-of-way, or in close proximity to industrial sites, power stations, parking lots, or similar areas for the control or eradication of unwanted vegetation.
6a – Ornamental	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to control insects and diseases of exterior ornamental plants and trees, and weeds of exterior ornamental areas such as landscape beds, tree and shrub plantings, sidewalks, driveways, or similar areas. NOTE: This category is permitted to apply for the 6c category.
6b – Interior Plantscape	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to control insects, diseases, and weeds of indoor ornamental plants in locations such as homes, offices, shopping malls, stores, or similar sites.
6d – Ornamental Weed	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to exterior ornamental areas such as landscape beds, tree, and shrub plantings, sidewalks, driveways, or similar areas for the control or eradication of unwanted vegetation. NOTE: This category includes beaches for weed control.
7 – Vertebrate Animal	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides for the control of pest birds, whether within or outside structures, and for the control of rodents, and any other vertebrates. NOTE: Moles and bats are included.
8 – Turf	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to lawns, turf, sod, or to soil areas being prepared for the production of turf or the control of pests except for vertebrates. NOTE: This category is permitted to make 6c applications.
9 – Animal	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to domestic animals which are held as agricultural commodities, or structures in which they are confined, for the control of pests of such animals.
10a – General	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides in or around human dwellings, industrial plants and business offices, food handling establishments, schools, hospitals or other institutions, warehouses, grain elevators, or similar buildings to control pests, including rodents, of such structures or of the occupants, furnishings, or provisions of those structures, except for the control of pest birds and termites or fungi.
10b – Termite	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides in or around various structures, or to the ground prior to construction of a structure, for the control of termites and other invertebrate wood-destroying insects.
10c – Fumigation	License holders may apply restricted-use fumigants to structures, or commodities or equipment which is enclosed within structures or other specially confined areas (including areas temporarily confined expressly for the purpose of fumigation) such as bins, rooms, cargo spaces, and boxcars, for the control of any pests contained within these structures or confined areas.
10d – Vector	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides outdoors to control invertebrate pests which are a threat to public health or a nuisance to humans, such as mosquitoes, house flies, chiggers, and ticks. NOTE: This does not include uses covered by category 7.
11 – Fertilizer	License holders may apply fertilizer to more than 50 acres of agricultural production grown primarily for sale.
12 – Wood-Destroying Insect Diagnostic Inspection	The examination of a structure at the request of any party involved in a contemplated real estate transaction to determine if wood-destroying insects are present in the structure, if there is evidence they either are or have been present in the structure, or if there is  any visible damage to the structure caused by wood-destroying insects, and the subsequent generation of a written report of the findings of the examination. Other requirements with this category: completion of a WDI Training Program.

Ohio pesticide license requirements

In order to obtain your pest control license and start working, you must abide by all  requirements listed by the Pesticide Regulation Program.

Different types of Ohio pest control licenses have similar requirements, so make sure you are familiar with all the necessary requirements for your license.

Pest control license requirements include:

License Type	Requirements
Private Pesticide Applicator License	• Must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.  • Submitted the license application form.  • Wrote and passed the Core exam and the necessary Category exams with a score of 70% or higher.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License	• Must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.  • Submitted the license application form.  • Wrote and passed the Core exam and the necessary Category exams with a score of 70% or higher.
Pesticide Business & Business Location License	• Must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.  • Submitted the license application form.  • Purchased general liability insurance for pesticide usage.

How do I get a pesticide license in Ohio?

There are three options available if you want to get your pest control license and start working in the Ohio pest control industry, regardless of the category you choose.

If you are over 18 years of age and have your GED, you can begin the process of getting your license. 

Below are the processes for obtaining your license for each of these types. 

Private Pesticide Applicator License: 

1. Write and pass the core exam and at least one category exam. 
2. Complete and submit the license application and pay the licensing fee. 
3. Pay the licensing fee. 

Commercial Pesticide Applicator License:

1. Write and pass the core exam and at least one category exam. 
2. Complete and submit the license application and pay the licensing fee. 
3. Pay the licensing fee. 

Pesticide Business & Business Location License:

1. Complete and submit the license application and pay the licensing fee. 
2. Show proof of general liability insurance for pesticide usage.

All forms and documents can be mailed to the following address: 

Ohio Department of Agriculture

8995 E Main St Bldg 23

Reynoldsburg OH 43068

Ohio pesticide license exam

To get your ​​Private Pesticide Applicator License, you need to write and pass the 50-question multiple choice Private Core exam and your desired Category exams with at least a score of 70%. 

To get your Commercial Pesticide Applicator License, you must write and pass the 90-question multiple choice Commercial Core exam and your desired Category exams with at least a score of 70%. 

Ohio pest control category exams typically contain between 30 and 100 questions, depending on the category. All questions are multiple choice.

Visit these links to find study guides and more information about core license exams and category exams.

You can register online for your exam and search for your exam results at the bottom of this page.

Does Ohio reciprocate pesticide licenses?

If you’re licensed as a pesticide applicator in a different state, you may be able to receive a reciprocal license in Ohio without taking an Ohio state licensing exam.

The following states currently have reciprocity for Ohio commercial licenses: 

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia

For more information on how to receive your reciprocity license, please visit the Ohio Department of Agriculture site

How much is a pesticide license in Ohio?

The cost to become a pest control applicator in Ohio depends on the type of licenses you need.

Here’s how the main costs break down:

License Type	Costs
Private Pesticide Applicator License	• Application fee: $30 • Renewal: $30
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License	• Application fee: $35 • Renewal: $35 ($17.50 late fee in addition to annual fee)
Pesticide Business & Business Location License	• Application fee: $35 • Renewal: $35 plus $35 for each location ($17.50 late fee in addition to annual fee)
Pesticide Solicitation Business	• Renewal: $35 ($17.50 late fee in addition to annual fee)
Pesticide Dealer	• Renewal: $35 ($17.50 late fee in addition to annual fee)
Registration of Pesticide Products	• Renewal: $150 per product ($75 late fee in addition to annual fee)

Ohio pesticide license renewal

Ohio requires that all pest control license holders have an up-to-date license status. Below is the renewal information for each type of pest control license.

License Types	Renewal
Private Pesticide Applicator License	• Licenses must be renewed every 3 years.  • The licensing period is April 1 through March 31.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License	• Licenses must be renewed annually.  • The licensing period is October 1 through September 30.
Pesticide Business & Business Location License	• Licenses must be renewed annually.  • The licensing period is October 1 through September 30.
Pesticide Solicitation Business	• Licenses must be renewed annually.  • The licensing period is October 1 through September 30.
Pesticide Dealer	• Licenses must be renewed annually.  • Yearly reporting of sales is required; reports of restricted use sales for the period July 1 to June 30 are due by July 31 of each year.
Registration of Pesticide Products	• Licenses must be renewed annually.  • The licensing period is July 1 through June 30.

Licenses can be renewed online at the following sources:

• Renew a private applicator license
• Renew a commercial applicator license
• Renew a business or dealer license

What happens if my pesticide license expires?

If your license has expired, or you think it’s close to expiring, stop performing any pest control work immediately. In Ohio, working without a valid pest control license can result in fines of up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both.

License renewals are required every two years. Failure to pay the renewal fee on time can also lead to penalties.

If your license is expired for more than six months, you need to apply for a new license using the form found on the Pesticide Regulation Program and successfully complete all requirements before the state can issue you a new license.

Requirements for business owners

Getting your Ohio pest control license is a great first step to a profitable career. And if you’re looking to take it to the next level, consider starting your own pest control business. 

Starting your own pest control business can be done with these straightforward steps:

• Define your pest control services
• Identify your value proposition
• Get pest control licensing and training
• Build your pest control brand
• License and register your business
• Get pest control business insurance

If you’re thinking about starting your own pest control business in Ohio, there are a few requirements that must be met:

1. Register your business
2. Obtain any necessary licenses and permits
3. Register for taxes
4. Obtain insurance

Now, you’re ready to start your pest control career in Ohio! If you need to, refer back here for more information about pest control licenses or business support.

Does a pesticide license in Ohio increase your earning potential?

Yes, having a valid pest control license in Ohio can increase your earning potential. With a license, you can perform larger jobs and attain higher-paying positions with more responsibility. 

Starting out as a pest control technician in Ohio, you can expect to earn $40,000 per year and this will grow by 35% in the first five years to $54,000. Having a pesticide license also demonstrates and strengthens your expertise in the field, which will boost your earning potential.