Structural Pest Control and Pesticides - Pesticide Exam Information

You can pre-register for exams through our website. 

• Register for an Online Exam
• Register for an In-Person Exam

You cannot register for a Pesticide School Exam unless you are signed up for the Pesticide School. Spots are only available for Pesticide School attendees. The required registration code will be sent to everyone registered for the school on the Friday prior to the school beginning. 

If you haven't received the registration code, contact pesticide-edu@ncsu.edu or call Phyllis Knight at 919-515-3113. 

At this time, we offer the following exams in Spanish:

• Ag Pest Plant
• Core
• Ornamental & Turf
• Private Applicator
• Right-of-Way
• Soil Fumigation (Private & Commercial)

Study materials can be purchased through the NC State Pesticide Safety Education Office, Box 7609, Raleigh, NC 27695, Telephone 919-515-3113.

In addition to the study material found in the Core Manual, all Core exams after 7/1/2025 will include questions on our new Rules and Regulations updates that can be found here:

• Summary Document of Regulation Changes
• NC Pesticide Regulations - Just the Changes

All Public Operator examinees must also know the correct name and mailing address of the agency for which they work. 

Have your payment method ready to pay for your exam. Credit cards are accepted at most Raleigh testing locations but are not yet accepted at all locations. If you plan on paying with credit card, please call to ensure this payment method is accepted at your testing location. If paying with check or money order, make out to NCDA&CS. If paying in cash, please bring exact change. Receipts will be provided. 

Please bring pencils and a calculator. We do not allow phones to be used as calculators. 

Bring a valid government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, to every exam session.

All exams begin at 1:00pm, unless otherwise indicated. 

Please plan to arrive about 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. Starting exams promptly ensures all testers receive the full four hours, and arriving early helps us complete check-in before the exam begins. If you anticipate being late, please call to reschedule so the exam can start as planned. 

If you are unable to make your exam time, please call to reschedule so that we can offer the spot to another candidate. Due to limited seating capacity, if you are registered for an exam and are unable to attend, you must notify the Pesticide Section at least 48 hours in advance or you may not be eligible to attend another exam for 60 days. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, we ask that you call and reschedule your exam. For the health and safety of others, you may be asked to leave if you are sick at the time of the exam.