Texas Pest Control License: How to get Certified for Pest Control in TX

Does Texas require a pest control license?

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS) requires that you have a pest control license to apply general and restricted-use pesticides in either residential or commercial settings. A structural pest control applicator license allows you to legally perform the following activities for pay: 

• Inspection and control of common pests
• Termite and wood-destroying pest control 
• Fumigating structures and commodities 
• Pest control for lawns and ornamental plants
• Weed control 
• Wood preservation 

With a pest control license in Texas, you are also permitted to advertise, bid, contract, estimate, and report on the above-listed services.

Types of pest control licenses in Texas

Pest control professionals work with a range of different regulated and limited-use products, so there are many different types of pest control licenses available in Texas to ensure the safe use of these products. 

These licenses vary based on the type of service provided, the pest control products used, the structures worked on, and the role the applicator will take in their business. As you build your skills as a pest control applicator in Texas, you can apply for additional category certifications across both the SPCS and pesticide applicator categories.

According to the Texas Administrative Code, the TDA separates pest control licenses into the following types:

Structural Pest Control Services

License Type	Description
Apprentice	License holder is registered by a structural pest control business or noncommercial entity to complete the training required for a technician license.
Structural Technician	License holder can perform at least one category of pest control work while under the direct supervision of a certified commercial or noncommercial applicator.
Certified Commercial Applicator	License holder can perform at least one category of pest control work.
Responsible Certified Commercial Applicator	License holder is a certified commercial applicator who is designated by the business licensee as the person responsible for training and supervising all pest control apprentices, technicians, and other applicators employed by the business.
Certified Noncommercial Applicator	License holder is an employee of a government entity, hospital, nursing home, or other noncommercial entity and can perform at least one category of pest control work.
Responsible Certified Noncommercial Applicator	License holder is a certified noncommercial applicator who is designated by the business licensee as the person responsible for training and supervising all pest control apprentices, technicians, and other applicators employed by the business.
Commercial Business License Applicator	Pest control applicators who operate for compensation must have a license for the business or department they operate under.

Agricultural ( AG) Pesticide Applicator

License Type	Description
AG Private Applicator	The license holder is permitted to use or supervise the use of restricted- and state-limited-use pesticides and herbicides to produce an agricultural commodity.  The property where the substance is applied may be personally owned, rented, or owned or rented by an employer.
AG Commercial Applicator	The license holder is permitted to apply restricted- and state-limited-use pesticides to another person’s property on behalf of their business or employer.
AG Noncommercial Applicator	The license holder is permitted to apply restricted- and state-limited-use pesticides, but is not affiliated with a business and does not qualify as a commercial applicator.
AG Noncommercial Political Subdivision (NPCS) Applicator	The license holder is permitted to apply restricted- and state-limited-use pesticides to another person’s property on behalf of the Texas state government or a federal agency operating in the state.

The TDA also separates pest control licenses into different categories based on the type of work you want to provide. Here’s what each of the license categories allows you to do as a pest controller in Texas:

Structural Pest Control Services

License Category	Description
Pest Control	Inspect for and control pests, including insects or animals which invade buildings but do not impact the structure itself
Termite Control	Inspect for and control termites, beetles, and other wood-destroying organisms through use of fumigation
Lawn and Ornamental	Inspect for and control pests that impact lawns, ornamental plants, and trees
Structural Fumigation	Inspect for and control pests through fumigation of structures that are not primarily used for storage of food or grains
Commodity Fumigation	Inspect for and control pests through fumigation of commodities and the structures that contain them
Weed Control	Inspect for and control the weeds that grow around homes and industrial buildings
Wood Preservation	Apply preservatives to extend the life of wood products, including crossties, posts, and poles, from damage caused by insects, fungi, and other organisms

Agricultural Pesticide Applicator

License Category	Description
Agricultural Pest Control	Use various pesticides and delivery methods to control  insects, diseases, weeds, and other pest animals that impact the following agricultural products:  • Field crops • Fruits, nuts, and vegetables • Pastures and rangeland • Stored, raw agricultural commodities • Agricultural animals and livestock
Forest Pest Control	Use various pesticides and delivery methods to protect forests, forest nurseries, and seed production from pests.
Lawn And Ornamental Pest Control	Use various pesticides and delivery methods to protect lawns and ornamental plants grown in residential properties, athletic fields, golf courses, industrial sites, parks, and more.
Seed Treatments	Use various pesticides and delivery methods to treat seeds before planting or distribution.
Vegetation Management	Use various pesticides and delivery methods to control the growth of plants that may impact rights-of-way, road maintenance, utility lines, railways, pipelines, and other public and private spaces.
Aquatic Pest Control	Use various pesticides and delivery methods to control aquatic plants, animals, or microbes anywhere water is present.
Demonstration and Research	Use various pesticides for demonstrations and research purposes, including those not consistent with label directions.
Regulatory Pest Control	Use various pesticides and delivery methods to quarantine plant pests, control weeds, and any other activity regulated by a government body or agency.
Aerial Application	Deliver pesticides to specific areas through the use of a plane or other aircraft.
Soil Fumigation	Use of fumigant pesticides to treat soil.
Public Health Pest Control	Use various pesticides and delivery methods to control any non-human organisms that could be a vector for human disease.

If you want to learn more about the different types and categories of pest control and pesticide applicator licenses in Texas, you can find the information on the TDA website.

Texas pest control license requirements 

In order to be certified as a pest control applicator you must follow the requirements listed by the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS) and agricultural pesticide program. 

These requirements include:

Structural Pest Control Services

License Type	Requirements
Apprentice	Submitted application for Apprentice Registration and Technician License form within the first 10 days of employment by a licensed applicator.
Structural Technician	Completed the approved 20 hours of coursework, 8 hours of classroom training, and 40 hours of on-the-job training for the pest control category you wish to be licensed in to obtain your technician training certificate.  Have written and passed the examination for the corresponding pest control category with a score of 70% or higher.
Certified Commercial Applicator	Completed the application for a certified applicator license and meet at least one of the following examination criteria:  • Have held a SPCS technician license for at least 6 months and have proof of at least 12 months’ work experience out of the past 24 months • Have an applicable degree in the biological sciences from an accredited college or university • Have proof of industry experience from a previous job for at least 12 of the past 24 months • Have previously held a certified applicator license • Have written and passed the examination for your corresponding pest control category with a score of 70% or higher
Responsible Certified Commercial Applicator	Applicants must be a certified commercial applicator and be designated and notified by the business licensee as the party responsible for training and supervising all pest control operations.
Certified Noncommercial Applicator	Applicants must have taken a department-approved noncommercial training course of at least 6 hours.  Completed the application for a certified applicator license and meet at least one of the following examination criteria:  • Have held a SPCS technician license for at least 6 months and have proof of at least 12 months’ work experience out of the past 24 months • Have an applicable degree in the biological sciences from an accredited college or university • Have proof of industry experience from a previous job for at least 12 of the past 24 months • Have previously held a certified applicator license • Have written and passed the examination for your corresponding pest control category with a score of 70% or higher.
Responsible Certified Noncommercial Applicator	Applicants must be a certified noncommercial applicator and be designated and notified by the noncommercial entity as the party responsible for training and supervising all pest control operations.

Agricultural ( AG) Pesticide Applicator

License Type	Requirements
Private Applicator	Applicants must have attended a private pesticide applicator training session, been accepted to write the pesticide licensing exam, and passed with a score of at least 70%.
Commercial/ Noncommercial/ Noncommercial Political Subdivision Applicator	Applicants must have passed both the general standards exam and at least one category exam with a score of at least 70%.

How to get a pest control license in Texas

As you can see, there are lots of options available if you want to become a licensed pest control or agricultural pesticide applicator in Texas. The process typically takes at least 2 years depending on the level and category of license you want to obtain. 

First, let’s take a look at the steps you need to take to get your license from the Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS):

1. Apply for apprentice registration through the TDA’s eApply webpage. This must be done within 10 days of beginning training, and your employer must indicate the day your training began. 

2. As an apprentice, attend an SPCS-approved technician training course. 

3. Build up the necessary experience or certifications needed to apply for the pest control technician exam. You can accomplish this by:

• Having held a SPCS technician license for at least 6 months and having proof of at least 12 months’ work experience out of the past 24 months
• Have an applicable degree in the biological sciences from an accredited college or university
• Have proof of industry experience from a previous job for at least 12 of the past 24 months
• Have previously held a certified applicator license

4. Apply to write the SPCS technician exam and pass with a score of at least 70%

5. Ensure that you are eligible to apply for a certified applicator license in one of the following ways: 

• Have 12 months of verifiable pest control experience during the past 2 years and have held a technician license with the Texas SPCS for at least 6 months
• Provide a transcript proving completion of a degree in the biological sciences from an accredited college or university
• Provide proof that you have previously worked in the industry or gained technical field experience for 12 of the last 24 months
• Provide  proof that you have previously held a commercial or noncommercial certified applicator license
• For noncommercial and noncommercial political certified applicator licenses, provide a copy of your training course certificate

6. Apply to write both the TX general certified applicator exam and the corresponding exam for the pest control category you wish to work in 

7. To start a new pest control business, review the insurance and business requirements and apply for a new business license through the TDA’s eApply portal and show proof that you have done so.  

Here is a step by step guide for obtaining your commercial, noncommercial, or NCPS pesticide applicator license.

To receive a commercial or noncommercial pesticide applicator license from the TDA’s Agriculture Pesticide Program, follow these steps: 

1. Contact the AgriLife Extension Service at Texas A&M to get the relevant pesticide exam study manuals.
2. Complete a commercial or noncommercial pesticide applicator application, and submit the completed form and associated fees to the TDA. 
3. After the TDA processes the license application, receive your account number, and use it to register for and schedule an exam with the state’s vendor, PSI.
4.  Write the exam at one of 22 sites across the state and pass with a score of at least 70%.

All forms and documents can be delivered online through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s eApply portal or physically at the following address: 

P.O. Box 12847

Austin, TX

78711

Texas pest control license exam

The TDA offers multiple continuing education courses for both structural and agricultural pest control applicators who want to earn additional credits towards future licensing or license renewal. 

These courses cover a wide range of topics relevant to pest control applicators with structural and agricultural licenses, including: 

• Vector control 
• Vegetation management
• Pesticide applicator training
• Crop production
• Weed control 
• Forest pests
• Tree management
• Farm and ranch wildlife 

Applicants who are interested in getting their pest control license through the SPCS and have completed certain 2-year college or 4-year university degrees in specific fields of biology can apply their studies in lieu of work experience.

Does Texas reciprocate pest control licenses?

Reciprocal licenses allow pest control professionals from other states to apply directly for the corresponding equivalent license in Texas.

Texas currently has reciprocity agreements with certain pesticide applicator licenses from the following states:

Reciprocal State	Pest Control License Type(s)
Arkansas	• Most agriculture pests • Forest  • Right-of-way  • Aquatic
Indiana	• Most agriculture pests • Forest • Landscape maintenance  • Right-of-way  • Aquatic  • Aerial
Kansas	• Most agriculture pests • Forest • Landscape maintenance  • Right-of-way  • Aquatic
Louisiana	• Most agriculture pests • Forest • Landscape maintenance  • Right-of-way  • Aquatic  • Aerial
Minnesota	• Most agriculture pests • Forest  • Right-of-way  • Aquatic  • Aerial
Mississippi	• Most agriculture pests • Forest • Right-of-way  • Aerial
Nebraska	• Most agriculture pests • Forest • Landscape maintenance • Right-of-way • Aquatic  • Aerial
New Mexico	• Most agriculture pests • Forest • Right-of-way  • Aquatic
Oklahoma	• Most agriculture pests • Forest • Landscape maintenance • Right-of-way  • Aquatic

Nonresidents of Texas who want to apply for a reciprocal pesticide applicator license need to get their home-state government to submit their test scores to the TDA at [email protected].

They then need to fill out a commercial, noncommercial, or NCPS applicator license form and fee to the TDA.

Texas pest control license costs

The cost to become a certified pest control applicator in Texas ranges depending on the type of license and number of categories you want to hold, but you can expect to spend between $189 and $489 per license.  

Here’s how the main costs break down according to the TDA website:

SPCS Technician/Certified Applicator

Licensing Stage	Cost
Original Licensing Fee	$125
Renewal Fee	$125
Late Renewal Fee (90 days or less)	1.5x normal renewal fee
Late Renewal Fee (91 days to 1 year)	2x normal renewal fee
Examination	$64 per exam per category

SPCS Business License

Licensing Stage	Cost
Original Licensing Fee	$300
Renewal Fee	$300

AG Pesticide Applicator

Licensing Stage	Cost
Original Licensing Fee	$200
Renewal Fee	$200
Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator License Fee	$140
NCPS pesticide applicator license fee	$75

For more information on the SPCS and agricultural pest control licensing fees, visit the TDA website.

Texas pest control license renewal

Texas pest control applicator licenses have different expiration dates depending on the type of license in question. Here’s what you need to know about the renewal timeline for the main structural pest control licenses: 

Commercial technician and applicator licenses: expire annually on the same day as the business license.

Commercial business licenses: expire annually on the same date they were issued.

Noncommercial technician and applicator licenses: expire annually on the same date they were issued.

These licenses can be renewed through the TDA’s online web portal BRIDGE. 

To renew your commercial, noncommercial, or NCPS pesticide applicator license, you need to recertify your credential by obtaining 5 continuing education credits, including one credit each from two of the following categories: 

• Laws and regulations
• Integrated pest management
• Drift minimization

The continuing education courses for pesticide applicator licenses can be found on the TDA website.

What happens if my pest control license expires?

If you think your Texas pest control license may have expired, or will soon, it’s crucial that you stop all work immediately and check the status of your license on the board’s online web portal BRIDGE. 

Working on any structural or agricultural pest control project with an expired applicator license is illegal in Texas and puts you at risk of some serious penalties. These include suspension of your license, revocation of your license, and potential financial penalties.

More information on actions that can impact your pest control license in Texas can be found on the state website.

Requirements for pest control business owners

Getting your Texas pest control license is the first step towards increasing your earning potential and setting yourself up for a secure financial future. But if you want to earn even more, you need to take things a step further and start your own pest control business. 

The Structural Pest Control Service and Department of Economic Development outline some of the steps you need to take in order to legally operate a pest control business, including: 

• Sign up for a business license and pay the $300 fee.
• Secure financing for your business operations. 
• Select your business location and structure.
• Secure insurance coverage of $200,000 in bodily injury and property damage and $300,000 in aggregate.
•  Identify any county- or city-level permits you may need

For more information about the steps for starting your own pest control business in Texas and other places within the United States, check out our pest control business guide.