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
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
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.
Prerequisites include:
- 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.
- Pre-approval to take exams.
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
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
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
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
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.
Aerial Applications
This license is required for anyone applying pesticides by air (helicopter, plane, UAV). Prerequisites include: 1 year & 125 hours of experience in aerial agricultural applications. This license MUST be linked to an Aerial Contractor license.
- Traditional Pilots - Must provide FAA License information.
- Unmanned (UAV) Pilots - Must provide FAA107 or equivalent information.
Applicators are certified for two (2) years and the renewal fee is seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year.
Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, L, N, O, P
This license is required for anyone overseeing aerial pesticide applications. To be eligible, you must submit an FAA137 Certificate and test to meet the Aerial Pilot license requirements; UAV candidates must provide FAA137 waiver if no Certificate is required.
Applicators are certified for two (2) years and the renewal fee is seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year.
Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, L, N, O, P
This license is required for anyone applying pesticides by air (helicopter, plane, UAV) but lacking the 1 year AND 125 hours of experience requirements to become a Pilot. This license MUST be linked to an Aerial Contractor license.
- Traditional Pilots - Must provide FAA License information.
- Unmanned (UAV) Pilots - Must provide FAA107 or equivalent information.
Applicators are certified for two (2) years and the renewal fee is seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year.
Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, L, N, O, P
This license is required for anyone applying pesticides by air (helicopter, plane, UAV) for their employer, who is a Federal or State entity only. (This DOES NOT include contractors or other individuals hired to perform the services.)
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 two (2) years and there is no fee associated with this license.
Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, L, N, O, P
This license is required for anyone applying pesticides by air (helicopter, plane, UAV) 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.)
Examples of entities with eligible employees:
- Mecklenburg County maintenance
- Wake County Public Schools
- City of Raleigh
Applicators are certified for two (2) years and there is no fee associated with this license.
Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, L, N, O, P
This license is required for anyone applying pesticides by air (helicopter, plane, UAV) for their employer, operating a Right-of-Way to support utilities. (This DOES NOT include contractors or other individuals hired to perform the services.) Prerequisites include: 1 year & 125 hours of experience in aerial agricultural applications.
Examples of entities with eligible employees:
- Duke Energy
- Dominion Energy
Applicators are certified for two (2) years and the renewal fee is seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year.
Appropriate categories are: A, B, G, H, I, L, N, O, P
Pesticide Certification
This certification is required for anyone making a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) pesticide application for the purpose of producing any agricultural commodity on property they own or lease.
Private applicators are certified for three (3) years and the certification fee is ten dollars($10.00) every three years.
This certification is required to have the Soil Fumigation - Z(SF) category before they perform soil fumigations on their property
This certification is required to have the Commodity Fumigation - Z(CF) category before they fumigate any harvested commodity produced on property that they own or lease.
For pesticide applicators, or their employees, using restricted use pesticides for the purpose of growing an agricultural commodity on lands they either own or rent.
Pesticide Licensing Categories
Please see the specific license type above for the appropriate categories available. The Pesticide Dealer license and the Private Applicator certification card do not require passing the Core exam. Successfully passing the Core is required for all Applicator licenses and categories.
Aquatic Pest Control: For pesticide applicators purposefully applying pesticides to standing or running water (ponds, lakes, and streams).
Public Health: For applicators using pesticides outdoors to protect human health, (e.g. fogging for mosquitoes, spraying outside for flies, controlling roots in sewers).
Forestry: For pesticide applicators using pesticides in forests, forest nurseries, and forest seed-producing areas. Ornamental tree applicators need to test for the ornamental and turf pest control category.
Right-of-Way: For applicators using pesticides in the maintenance of public roads, electric powerlines, pipelines, railway rights-of-way, or other similar areas.
Regulatory: For persons working with quarantine or eradication programs involving regulated pests such as fire ants, witchweed, and spongy moth. Applicators in this category are Governmetal employees only.
Agricultural Pest Animal (Livestock): For pesticide applicators applying pesticides to livestock and places where they are confined.
Agricultural Pest Animal (Poultry): For pesticide applicators applying pesticides to poultry and places where they are confined.
Agricultural Pest Animal (Small Animal): For pesticide applicators applying pesticides to pets and places where pets are confined. This category includes Pet Groomers.
Ornamental & Turf: For pesticide applicators using pesticides in the maintenance and production of ornamental plants, shade trees, and turf. This category includes commercial pesticide application work on home lawns, public grounds, parks, shade trees, golf courses, cemeteries, and in greenhouses.
Seed Treatment: For persons applying pesticides (usually insecticides, fungicides, or bactericides) to seed held for resale.
Demonstration & Research: For persons who apply pesticides as part of a field demonstration or research program. University and chemical company personnel fall into this category. Each person licensed in demonstration and research must be licensed in one or more specialty category.
Agricultural Pest Plant: For pesticide applicators, commercially applying pesticides to agricultural crops (including fields, nurseries, or greenhouses) or to grasslands and other non-crop agricultural land.
Commercial Soil Fumigation: For pesticide applicators using fumigant pesticides injected or applied to soils or growing media. This category excludes fumigation of raw agricultural commodities.
Wood Treatment: For pesticide applicators using restricted use pesticides to preserve wood and/or wood products.
For questions or if additional assistance is required, please contact the NCDA&CS Pesticide Section at 984-236-4575. Directions
Return to Pesticide Licensing & Certification.