Pest Control Applicator / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Pest Control Applicator License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Applies pesticides to eliminate pests from homes and businesses.

What the Tennessee data shows for Pest Control Applicators

Tennessee sets the entry bar for pest control applicators at 15 training hours and a passing score on State Pesticide Applicator Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Tennessee's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "On-the-Job Training".

Budget $91 to get started, plus $82 at each renewal on a 3-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 15 hours of continuing education are due every 3-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
75/100
Pest Control Applicator · Tennessee

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
15 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C
$91
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$27/yr
$82 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 Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
On-the-Job Training
15 hours
Exam Requirement
State Pesticide Applicator Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$91
Renewal Fee
$82
Renewal Cycle
Every 3 years
Continuing Education
15 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Pest Control Applicator All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Pest Control Applicator in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee's requirements cover 15 hours of education or training, the State Pesticide Applicator Exam exam, and an initial fee of $91. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Pest Control Applicator in Tennessee? ▼
Certification as a pest control applicator in Tennessee means clearing the state's checklist: 15 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Pest Control Applicator license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
For pest control applicators, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Not typically reciprocal — state-specific. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Pest Control Applicator licensing? ▼
Tennessee does require a background check before issuing a pest control applicator license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Pest Control Applicator in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee ties continued pest control applicator licensure to 15 continuing-education hours, due every 3 years, alongside a $82 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this pest control applicator license

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

  • See how Tennessee'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 Tennessee's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Tennessee overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.