Oregon Pest Control License: How to get certified for Pest Control in OR

Does Oregon require a pesticide license?

Yes, the state of Oregon requires all professional pest control workers to be licensed. License holders can use general and restricted-use pesticides in private, commercial, and residential settings.

Once you have your pest control license from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, you can provide the following types of pest control work:

• Inspect residential and commercial properties for pests
• Use pesticides to eliminate termites, bugs, and other pests
• Set traps to remove unwanted pests

A license ensures that you will be legally working.

Types of pest control licenses in Oregon

In Oregon, there are nine types of pest control licenses:

License Types	Description
Private Pesticide Applicator	License holders can use restricted-use pesticides on agricultural land, including farmland, ranches, forestland, nurseries, and orchards. They can also supervise a co-worker or employee applying a restricted-use pesticide.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator	License holders can use pesticides (general or restricted-use) on someone else’s property, or on their own (or the employer’s) non-agricultural land. License holders can also supervise a licensed pesticide trainee or apprentice and instruct them how to use restricted-use pesticides.
Aerial Pesticide Applicator	License holders can apply pesticides by aircraft. ​
Immediately Supervised Trainee	Trainees can use pesticides while supervised by a licensed commercial or public pesticide applicator. This supervisor must be on site at all times.
Pesticide Apprentice	License holders use pesticides while supervised by a licensed commercial or public pesticide applicator. This supervisor does not need to be on site.
Pesticide Consultant	License holders can tell someone how to use a restricted-use pesticide or which restricted-use pesticide will work best.
Public Pesticide Applicator	License holders work for the state or federal agency, county, city, municipality, irrigation district, railroad, public utility, telephone company, school, or other public employers. They can use restricted-use pesticides for a public employer, and use fuel or electric-powered sprayers or spreaders. License holders can tell someone how to use a restricted-use pesticide or which restricted-use pesticide will work best.
Commercial Pesticide Operator	License holders (or licensed businesses) can use pesticides on someone else’s property.
Pesticide Dealer	License holders (or licensed businesses) can sell restricted-use pesticides to licensed pesticide users.

Oregon pesticide license requirements

In order to obtain your pest control license, you must adhere to all requirements. Pest control license requirements include:

License Types	Requirements
Private Pesticide Applicator	1. Must be at least 16 years of age.  2. Must have written and passed the Private Applicator exam. 3. Must have completed and submitted an application form.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator	1. Must be at least 18 years of age.  2. Must have written and passed the Laws and Safety exam.  3. Must have written and passed at least one category exam.  4. Must be employed by a business (including non-profits) that is licensed as a Commercial Pesticide Operator. 5. Must have completed and submitted an application form.
Aerial Pesticide Applicator	1. Must pass the aerial exam.   2. Must be at least 18 years of age.  3. Must be actively licensed as a Commercial, Public, or Private Pesticide Applicator in Oregon. 4. Must have 50 or more hours of documented experience under the supervision of a certified Aerial Pesticide Applicator  5. Must hold an FAA medical certificate that is valid for the entire Oregon license period (through December 31) 6. Must have a valid Commercial Pilot’s Certificate or a Remote Pilot Certificate  7. Must have completed and submitted an application form.
Immediately Supervised Trainee	1. Must be at least 18 years of age.  ​​2. Must be employed by a business (including non-profits) that is licensed as a Commercial Pesticide Operator 3. Must work under the direct supervision of a licensed pesticide applicator in their specified categories.
Pesticide Apprentice	1. Must be at least 18 years of age.  2. Must have written and passed the Laws and Safety exam.  3. Must work under the supervision of a licensed commercial or public pesticide applicator with the appropriate license categories.  4. Must have completed and submitted  an application form.
Pesticide Consultant	1. Must be at least 18 years of age.  2. Must have written and passed the Pesticide Consultant exam.  3. Must have completed and submitted an application form.
Public Pesticide Applicator	1. Must be at least 18 years of age.  2. Must be employed by a state, federal, or local government body.  3. Must have written and passed the Laws and Safety exam, plus at least one license category exam. 4. Must have completed and submitted an application form.
Commercial Pesticide Operator	1. Must be at least 18 years of age.  2. Must have a valid insurance policy  3. Must employ at least one licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator  4. Must have completed and submitted an application form.
Pesticide Dealer	1. Must be at least 18 years of age.  2. Must have completed and submitted an application form.

Pest control license category types

Licensed Commercial or Public Applicators must have a license for specific corresponding pest control categories. License holders can apply specific types of pesticides covered by their license categories.

For example, license holders can apply herbicides to turf or ornamental planting sites if they have the Ornamental and Turf: Herbicide category license.

Here’s a complete list of the categories: 

• Agriculture
• Aquatic
• Demonstration and Research
• Forest
• Industrial, Institution, Health and Structural (I.I.H.S.):
  • General pest
  • Structural
  • Moss control
  • Space fumigation
  • Wood treatment
• Marine Fouling
• Ornamental and Turf
• Public Health
• Regulatory Weed
• Right-of-Way
• School Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
• Seed treatment

How do I get a pest control license in Oregon?

There’s a different process for each pesticide license in Oregon. Depending on which option you choose, you’ll need at least one specific pest control license. 

Be prepared to get a pesticide license by following these steps: 

License Types	Steps
Private Pesticide Applicator	1. Write and pass the Private Applicator exam. If you pass the exam, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will email you a semi-completed license application form. 2. Complete the license application form and pay the licensing fee. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point they will mail you a printed license.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator	1. Write and pass the Laws and Safety exam and at least one license category exam. If you pass the exam, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will email you a semi-completed license application form. 2. Complete the license application form and pay the licensing fee. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point they will mail you a printed license.
Aerial Pesticide Applicator	1. Obtain your Commercial, Public, or Private Pesticide Applicator license in Oregon 2. Register for either a Commercial Pilot’s Certificate or Remote Pilot Certificate.  3. Write and pass the Aerial exam. When you pass the exam, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will email you a semi-completed license application form.  4. Complete the license application form. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point they will mail you a printed license. 5. Complete 50 or more hours of documented flight experience as a licensed Commercial, Public, or Private Pesticide Applicator.
Immediately Supervised Trainee	1. Complete the license application form and pay the licensing fee. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point the Oregon Department of Agriculture  will mail you a printed license.
Pesticide Apprentice	1. Write and pass the Laws and Safety exam and at least one license category exam. When you pass the exam, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will email you a semi-completed license application form. 2. Complete the license application form and pay the licensing fee. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point they will mail you a printed license.
Pesticide Consultant	1. Write and pass the Pesticide Consultant exam and at least one license category exam. When you pass the exam, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will email you a semi-completed license application form. 2. Complete the license application form and pay the licensing fee. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point they will mail you a printed license.
Public Pesticide Applicator	1. Write and pass the Laws and Safety exam and at least one license category exam. When you pass the exam, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will email you a semi-completed license application form. 2. Complete the license application form and pay the licensing fee. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point they will mail you a printed license.
Commercial Pesticide Operator	1. Complete the license application form and pay the licensing fee. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point the Oregon Department of Agriculture will mail you a printed license.
Pesticide Dealer	1. Complete the license application form and pay the licensing fee. It will take 2-4 weeks to process, at which point the Oregon Department of Agriculture will mail you a printed license.

All forms must be sent either by email or to the following address:

Oregon Department of Agriculture
PO Box 4395 Unit 17
Portland, OR 97208-4395

Oregon pest control license test

All pest control licenses require at least one exam except for Commercial Pesticide Operators and Pesticide Dealer licenses, which have no exam requirements.

Some licenses also require at least one license category exam. Commercial and Public Pesticide Applicators and Pesticide Consultants may use specified types of pesticides that are covered by their license categories.

Trainees and apprentices require similar exams. All exams are multiple choice and require a score of 70% or higher to pass.

Find more information about exams and how to register here. 

You can also find study material for exams here. 

Does Oregon reciprocate pesticide licenses?

Currently, Oregon has reciprocity agreements with Idaho and Washington state. Reciprocal licenses allow pest control professionals from other states to apply directly for the corresponding equivalent license in Oregon.

Oregon pesticide license costs

To become a certified pest control applicator in Oregon, the total cost varies depending on the type of license, the renewal fee, and the exams needed. 

License Types	Steps
Private Pesticide Applicator	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: $25/5 years
Commercial Pesticide Applicator	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: $50/year
Aerial Pesticide Applicator	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: No fee
Immediately Supervised Trainee	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: $50/year
Pesticide Apprentice	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: $50/year
Pesticide Consultant	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: $40/year
Public Pesticide Applicator	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: $50/year
Commercial Pesticide Operator	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: $90/year
Pesticide Dealer	• Exam(s): $58 each • License cost and renewal: $75/year

Oregon pesticide license renewal

All pest control licenses must be renewed annually except for the Private Applicator License, which you have to renew every 5 years.

All licenses have to be renewed by December 31 of the year they were issued. For example, a license issued in 2023 must be renewed by December 31, 2023, with the exception of the Private Applicator license.

To renew your license or check its status, click here. 

What happens if my pest control license expires?

If your pest control license expires, it’s important that you stop all pest control work immediately. You can use the CSLB’s license number verification tool to check if your license is still active.

To reactivate an expired license, you’ll need to pay delinquent and renewal fees. The delinquent fees for each license type are:

• Applicator: $5
• Field Representative: $15
• Operator: $60

You have 90 days from your expiration date to renew your license, or it will be canceled and you’ll have to re-apply.

Requirements for business owners

Getting your Oregon pest control license is a great first step toward a strong and secure financial future. 

If you want to earn even more, you can start your own pest control business with these straightforward steps:

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

For more information about what you need to do to start your own pest control business, check out our guide on how to start a pest control business.

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