2026 data Montana board official source

Montana Pest Control Applicator License Requirements

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

Applies pesticides to eliminate pests from homes and businesses.

What the Montana data shows for Pest Control Applicators

To practice as a pest control applicator in Montana, the state licensing board requires 30 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Pesticide Applicator Exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Montana's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "On-the-Job Training".

Budget $157 to get started, plus $139 at each renewal on a 3-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 15 hours of continuing education per 3-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Not typically reciprocal — state-specific.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
65/100
Pest Control Applicator · Montana

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
30 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$157
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$46/yr
$139 every 3 years
Continuing Education B
5.0 hrs/yr
15 hours every 3 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Montana

Education / Training Hours
On-the-Job Training
30 hours
Exam Requirement
State Pesticide Applicator Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$157
Renewal Fee
$139
Renewal Cycle
Every 3 years
Continuing Education
15 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Pest Control Applicator in Montana?
In Montana, the license path calls for 30 education/training hours, a passing score on State Pesticide Applicator Exam, and a $157 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Pest Control Applicator in Montana?
Certification as a pest control applicator in Montana means clearing the state's checklist: 30 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Montana licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Pest Control Applicator license to Montana from another state?
Reciprocity for pest control applicators nationally works like this: Not typically reciprocal — state-specific. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Montana. Verify the specifics with the Montana licensing board.
Does Montana require a background check for Pest Control Applicator licensing?
Yes, Montana requires a criminal background check as part of the pest control applicator licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Pest Control Applicator in Montana?
To stay licensed as a pest control applicator in Montana, plan on 15 hours of continuing education per 3-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $139.

What to do with this pest control applicator license

Pest Control Applicator in Montana, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a pest control applicator-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Montana's pest control applicator requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Pest Control Applicator in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state pest control applicator license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Montana's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Montana overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Montana licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.