New York pest control licensing at a glance
Agency
NYSDEC
Business registration
$900
per 3 years
Applicator
$450
3-year cycle
Insurance
$1M
per occurrence
License types and fees
| License | Who needs it | Key requirements | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pesticide Apprentice | Uncertified employee applying pesticides under supervision of a Certified Commercial Applicator employed by the same business | Minimum age 16; before off-site supervision: 8 hours instruction (Part 325.18 topics) + 40 hours pesticide-use experience under a Commercial Applicator; training documented (6 NYCRR 325.10(c)) | None stated |
| Certified Commercial Pesticide Technician | Lower-level certification; can apply general-use pesticides unsupervised but not RUPs; cannot supervise; single category | Minimum age 17; one of: DEC-approved 30-hour training course in category (within 5 years), relevant associate's degree+, or 2 years verifiable apprentice experience; pass core + one category exam. Upgrade to Applicator after 1 yr + 12 category hours, or 2 yrs as Technician | $450 certification (3-year cycle) |
| Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Fully certified; uses/supervises general and restricted-use pesticides; required for a business operating in category 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7F (and others) | 3 years verifiable full-time experience as Commercial Apprentice in category (or 3 years as certified private applicator in corresponding category), earned within last 5 years; pass core + category exams (or upgrade from Technician) | $450 for one category + $150 each additional category (3-year cycle) |
| Pesticide Business Registration | Each business location offering, advertising or providing commercial pesticide application for hire | Must employ a Certified Applicator in each of categories 1a-1d, 5a-5c, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7f, 7g or 11 it operates in (technician allowed for other categories); $1,000,000 CGL insurance; two decals per vehicle; submit 45 days before start/expiry | $900 per 3-year registration |
License categories
- 7A - Structural & Rodent Control (rodents, roaches, ants, fleas, ticks, stinging/biting insects; excludes food processing, post-construction WDO and termiticides)
- 7B - Fumigation
- 7C - Termite
- 7D - Lumber & Wood Products
- 7F - Food Processing (areas other than residences where exposed food is prepared, packaged or held; incl. fumigants)
- 8 - Public Health Pest Control
- 3A - Ornamentals, Shade Trees & Turf
Exams
- Vendor: NYSDEC (registration via nForm); remote-proctored online, computer-based at approved test centers, or paper at DEC regional offices
- Format: Core: 50 multiple-choice, closed book, pass 35/50 incl. at least 7 of 10 label questions; category: 50 multiple-choice (reference material provided); 90 minutes per exam
- Exam fee: $100 for core + one category at same session; $100 per additional category exam
Business license and insurance
Business license
- Requirement: DEC Pesticide Business Registration for each business location offering pesticide application services; applications by employees only (no contractors); registered-business decals on each vehicle
- Fee: $900 register or renew; valid 3 years (new: 2.5-3.5 years by DEC region)
Insurance / bond
- Requirement: Commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 each occurrence; certificate naming NYSDEC as certificate holder, listing DBAs and each registered location; new certificate each policy renewal
- Per occurrence: $1,000,000
Renewal and continuing education
- Commercial applicator: Every 3 years
- Commercial technician: Every 3 years
- Business registration: Every 3 years
- Note: Cannot recertify if expired more than 2 years
- Continuing education:
- Commercial applicator 7A: 12 credits per 3-year cycle (at least 25% category-specific)
- 7B: 6
- 7C: 8
- 7F: 12
- 8: 8
- 3A: 10
- Commercial technician: No credit requirement stated; recertify by application and fee
- Note: Or pass a recertification exam instead of credits
Application recordkeeping
- Retention years: 3
- Required elements:
- EPA registration number
- Product name
- Quantity of each pesticide used
- Date applied
- Location of application by address incl. five-digit ZIP
- Dosage rates
- Methods of application
- Target organisms
- Annual report: Pesticide Reporting Law annual report due February 1 for prior calendar year
Free log with these fields: pesticide application record template.
Worth knowing
- NY requires $1,000,000 per-occurrence general liability for every registered pest control business - among the highest minimums in the US - with NYSDEC named as certificate holder.
- Commercial applicators and technicians must file an annual Pesticide Reporting Law report of every application by Feb 1.
- Termiticides are excluded from 7A; termite work needs category 7C and food-plant work needs 7F.
- Only employees may apply pesticides for a registered business - contractors or consultants cannot make or supervise applications.
Official links
Law: NY Environmental Conservation Law Article 33 (incl. ECL 33-1205 recordkeeping/reporting); 6 NYCRR Part 325 (Application of Pesticides)
- How to Become a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician
- Certification Categories and Credit Requirements
- Business/Agency Pesticide Information
- Pesticide Applicator/Technician Guidance
- OGC 3: Recordkeeping and Reporting of Commercial Applicators
- Pesticide Statutes, Regulations and Policies
Last verified 2026-09-23 against New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Materials Management, Bureau of Pesticides Management and the official sources listed below. Fees and rules change - confirm with the agency before you apply. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Licensed and running a route?
PestRouteDesk (in development) keeps state-ready chemical application records, recurring routes and billing for 1-5 tech shops. Founding members lock $49/mo.
Frequently asked questions
What is category 7A in New York?
Structural & Rodent Control - rodents, roaches, ants, fleas, ticks and stinging/biting insects in and around structures. Termite work is category 7C and fumigation 7B.
How many recertification credits does New York require?
For category 7A, 12 credits per 3-year cycle (at least 25% category-specific), or pass a recertification exam.
Do New York pest control companies file pesticide reports?
Yes - commercial applicators file an annual pesticide use report under the Pesticide Reporting Law, due February 1 for the prior calendar year.
Where can I verify New York pest control license requirements?
Directly with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Materials Management, Bureau of Pesticides Management - see the official links on this page. We last checked on 2026-09-23.
Sources
- Pesticide Applicator/Technician Guidance (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Certification Categories and Credit Requirements (accessed 2026-09-23)
- How to Become a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Business/Agency Pesticide Information (accessed 2026-09-23)
- New York - agency page (dec.ny.gov) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- OGC 3: Recordkeeping and Reporting of Commercial Applicators (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Pesticide Statutes, Regulations and Policies (accessed 2026-09-23)
- New York - agency page (dec.ny.gov) (accessed 2026-09-23)