Pest Control Applicator license count, how many states?

51 states require a license for Pest Control Applicator practitioners. Same-lane licenses to open next: Electrician; Elevator Installer; Fire Sprinkler Installer.

Pest Control Applicator education hours, what is typical?

On average, states require approximately 18 hours of education or training, with requirements ranging from 0 to 39 hours. For contrast in the same category, open Electrician next.

Pest Control Applicator initial fee range across boards

The average initial licensing fee is $105, ranging from $25 to $198 across states. Fee shape for Fire Sprinkler Installer is a useful same-lane check.

Pest Control Applicator reciprocity / compact reality

License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation. Compact coverage can differ for Electrician even when the boards look similar.

Pest Control Applicator exam gate, how common?

51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a pest control applicator license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state, check the state-by-state table above for specifics.

Pest Control Applicator criminal-history screen, how often?

51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the pest control applicator licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.

Professions / Construction

Occupational licensing · Construction · 51 state boards

Pest Control Applicator Licensing Requirements by State

Pest Control Applicator licensing rules differ by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) compilation and responsible state boards (current as of May 15, 2026), this registry compares education hours, initial and renewal fees, exams, background checks and reciprocity notes across 51 boards. Use the table to compare differences, then verify the current rule with the responsible board before applying.

Pest Control Applicator across 51 state boards. Nearest coverage peers (51-state band): Electrician, Elevator Installer, Fire Sprinkler Installer.

By PlainCredential ·Compiled from official state licensing boards

States regulated: 51
Avg initial fee: $105
Require an exam: 100%
Avg education hours: 18

View saved licenses

Board Pathway Strip

Pest Control Applicator: 51 boards · ~18 avg pre-licensure hrs · exam on 100% · background check on 100% · avg first fee $105. Same-lane boards: Electrician, Elevator Installer, Fire Sprinkler Installer.

Pre-licensure hour neighbourhood for Pest Control Applicator

Pest Control Applicator vs. every tracked profession

Average confirmed pre-licensure education hours, board-sourced state requirements

18 44th of 47 higher than 3 of 47 professions

professions with confirmed education-hour requirements, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more professions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source PlainCredential NCSL and state-board corpus · 2026

Applies pesticides to eliminate pests from homes and businesses.

Pest Control Applicator initial fees swing $25 (NH) to $198 (CA), a $173 spread across 51 boards ; Electrician often lands on a different fee band.

Board thresholds for Pest Control Applicator drift board-to-board; the same pattern shows up on Electrician and Elevator Installer in construction. Methodology notes live on our methods page.

Pest Control Applicator states

Below median

Pest Control Applicator edu hrs

18 hrs

Bottom 10% lowest

Pest Control Applicator first fee

$105

Bottom quartile, lowest

Pest Control Applicator renewal

$94

Below median

Board gates for Pest Control Applicator: exam on 51/51 (100%), background check on 51/51 (100%) , CE on 51/51 (avg 15 hrs/cycle) . Stack that against Electrician / Elevator Installer before calling this license soft or hard.

Pest Control Applicator: nationwide coverage neighbours

Coverage band

Hour load

Chauffeur / Limousine Driver · 18 avg hrs
Mortgage Loan Originator · 20 avg hrs
Process Server · 26 avg hrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification · 3 avg hrs

Cheapest vs priciest jurisdiction for Pest Control Applicator

A $173 fee spread for the same credential

Initial licensing fees in New Hampshire ($ 25) and California ($ 198) bracket the field, a 7.9× spread for identical practice rights.

New Hampshire

$25 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 3 years

California

$198 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 3 years

Pest Control Applicator boards vs Electrician / Elevator Installer - state table

51 states

State	Edu. Hours	Exam	Init. Fee	Renewal	Cycle	CE Hrs	Same-board peer
Alabama	12	Yes	$79	$72	3 yrs	15	Also Arborist / Tree Surgeon · Body Piercer
Alaska	6	Yes	$51	$47	3 yrs	15	Also Animal Breeder · Bartender / Alcohol Server
Arizona	33	Yes	$171	$150	3 yrs	15	Also Cosmetologist · Electrologist
Arkansas	10	Yes	$68	$61	3 yrs	15	Also Bartender / Alcohol Server · Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)
California	39	Yes	$198	$173	3 yrs	15	Also Elevator Installer · General Contractor
Colorado	34	Yes	$174	$153	3 yrs	15	Also Insurance Agent · Locksmith
Connecticut	27	Yes	$143	$126	3 yrs	15	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
Delaware	22	Yes	$122	$108	3 yrs	15	Also Locksmith · Nail Technician
District of Columbia	23	Yes	$125	$111	3 yrs	15	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
Florida	25	Yes	$134	$118	3 yrs	15	Also Substitute Teacher · Veterinary Technician
Georgia	18	Yes	$105	$94	3 yrs	15	Also Veterinarian · Athletic Agent
Hawaii	32	Yes	$163	$143	3 yrs	15	Also Electrician · Fire Sprinkler Installer
Idaho	5	Yes	$49	$45	3 yrs	15	Also Hair Braider · Land Surveyor
Illinois	37	Yes	$186	$163	3 yrs	15	Also Landscape Architect · Medical Assistant
Indiana	17	Yes	$101	$90	3 yrs	15	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
Iowa	8	Yes	$58	$53	3 yrs	15	Also Funeral Director / Embalmer · HVAC Technician
Kansas	7	Yes	$56	$51	3 yrs	15	Also Security Alarm Installer · Tax Preparer
Kentucky	11	Yes	$72	$66	3 yrs	15	Also Tattoo Artist · Amusement Ride Operator
Louisiana	29	Yes	$153	$134	3 yrs	15	Also Secondary School Teacher · Tattoo Artist
Maine	1	Yes	$30	$29	3 yrs	15	Also Barber · Childcare Center Director
Maryland	26	Yes	$141	$124	3 yrs	15	Also Auctioneer · Chauffeur / Limousine Driver
Massachusetts	25	Yes	$136	$120	3 yrs	15	Also Armed Security Guard · Casino/Gaming Dealer
Michigan	19	Yes	$108	$96	3 yrs	15	Also Certified Nurse-Midwife · Debt Collector
Minnesota	14	Yes	$86	$78	3 yrs	15	Also Cosmetologist · Electrologist
Mississippi	12	Yes	$77	$70	3 yrs	15	Also Dietetic Technician · Farrier / Horseshoer
Missouri	14	Yes	$84	$76	3 yrs	15	Also Court Reporter / Stenographer · Elementary School Teacher
Montana	30	Yes	$157	$139	3 yrs	15	Also Electrician · Fire Sprinkler Installer
Nebraska	6	Yes	$53	$49	3 yrs	15	Also Elementary School Teacher · Funeral Director / Embalmer
Nevada	36	Yes	$181	$158	3 yrs	15	Also Land Surveyor · Massage Therapist
New Hampshire	-	Yes	$25	$25	3 yrs	15	Also Esthetician · Hair Braider
New Jersey	26	Yes	$139	$122	3 yrs	15	Also Fire Sprinkler Installer · Home Health Aide
New Mexico	31	Yes	$160	$141	3 yrs	15	Also General Contractor · Insurance Agent
New York	24	Yes	$128	$113	3 yrs	15	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
North Carolina	18	Yes	$103	$92	3 yrs	15	Also Electrician · Fire Sprinkler Installer
North Dakota	4	Yes	$44	$41	3 yrs	15	Also Electrologist · Food Handler / Food Safety Certification
Ohio	21	Yes	$115	$102	3 yrs	15	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
Oklahoma	8	Yes	$60	$55	3 yrs	15	Also Marriage and Family Therapist · Notary Public
Oregon	38	Yes	$190	$166	3 yrs	15	Also Notary Public · Pharmacist
Pennsylvania	23	Yes	$124	$110	3 yrs	15	Also Notary Public · Pharmacist
Rhode Island	30	Yes	$155	$136	3 yrs	15	Also Amusement Ride Operator · Barber
South Carolina	9	Yes	$63	$57	3 yrs	15	Also Certified Nurse-Midwife · Debt Collector
South Dakota	3	Yes	$39	$37	3 yrs	15	Also Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Dental Assistant
Tennessee	15	Yes	$91	$82	3 yrs	15	Also Insurance Agent · Locksmith
Texas	21	Yes	$117	$104	3 yrs	15	Also Medical Assistant · Optician (Dispensing)
Utah	11	Yes	$75	$68	3 yrs	15	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Vermont	2	Yes	$32	$31	3 yrs	15	Also School Bus Driver · Speech-Language Pathologist
Virginia	16	Yes	$96	$86	3 yrs	15	Also Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) · Private Investigator
Washington	32	Yes	$167	$147	3 yrs	15	Also Respiratory Therapist · Septic System Installer
West Virginia	11	Yes	$75	$68	3 yrs	15	Also Arborist / Tree Surgeon · Body Piercer
Wisconsin	13	Yes	$82	$74	3 yrs	15	Also Sign Language Interpreter · Tow Truck Operator
Wyoming	2	Yes	$34	$33	3 yrs	15	Also Athletic Trainer · Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

What to do with this

Pest Control Applicator is regulated in 51 states -- here's how to use that before you act.

Pest Control Applicator ranks #44 of 47 professions by average pre-licensure education hours -- see how it compares to similar roles. Browse all professions
#61 of 97 professions by number of states requiring a license -- see which states are strictest overall. State burden rankings
Initial fees for Pest Control Applicator range from $25 (NH) to $198 (CA) -- check whether your license transfers before assuming you'd need to pay again. Reciprocity guide

Requirements are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research and verified against state board sites where possible; always confirm current rules with the licensing board before relying on any single row.

Data sources

Every figure on PlainCredential is rendered directly from NCSL and state occupational- licensing board data, no number is typed in by an editor. Pest Control Applicator requirements from NCSL and state board schedules: 51 rows, no hand-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.