Georgia pest control licensing at a glance
Agency
GA Dept. of Agriculture
Company license
$100 + $70
per 2-year period
Certified Operator
$100
+ $45 per exam
Renewal
June 30, odd years
License types and fees
| License | Who needs it | Key requirements | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Pest Control Company License | Any individual or firm performing structural pest control services for hire; must have a Designated Certified Operator (DCO) for each category operated in | Proof of insurance before issuance; DCO per category; applications received by the 1st of the month are considered at the Commission's monthly meeting; sub-office license available for a location with only one registered employee under DCO supervision | $100.00 company license + $70.00 research fee per company license (2-year period); $10.00 duplicate license (sub office) |
| Certified Operator License | Individual who serves as Designated Certified Operator / supervises; the certification alone does not allow for-hire work (must be employed by or hold a company license) | 2 years verifiable structural pest control experience (1 within last 5 years), OR degree in entomology/public health/related subject + 1 year experience within last 5 years; pass core exam plus category exam(s); no age requirement stated | $45.00 exam per category; $100.00 operator certification fee |
| Registered Employee Credential | Employees performing structural pest control work for a licensed company | 10 hours classroom training from a Certified Operator or SPCC Approved Instructor; 70 hours on-the-job training under constant supervision of a certified operator or registered employee; written exam score of at least 70% | $45.00 employee written examination; $10.00 employee registration |
| Certified Registered Employee | Registered employees who pass the certification examination (higher-tier employee credential, Rule 620-3-.01(4)) | Certification examination; recertification 10 hrs WDO / 10 hrs HPC per 2-year cycle | $45.00 certified registered employee exam |
License categories
- Category 28: Fumigation (FUM)
- Category 29: Household Pest Control (HPC)
- Category 30: Wood-destroying Organism Control (WDO)
- Honey Bee Control and Removal (HBR)
Exams
- Vendor format: Computer-based exams applied for via GeorgiaPestExam.com (GAPestExam.com); registered employee exam at technical college testing centers statewide; Certified Operator = core exam plus category exam(s)
- Exam fee: $45.00 per category (operator); $45.00 employee exam
- Passing score: 70% (registered employee written exam)
Business license and insurance
Business license
- Requirement: Structural Pest Control Company License required to perform structural pest control for hire, with a Designated Certified Operator for each category
- Fee: $100.00 + $70.00 research fee (per 2-year licensing period)
Insurance / bond
- Pest control / fumigation: Bodily injury $50,000 any one occurrence; property damage $50,000 any one occurrence; $200,000 minimum annual aggregate
- Wood destroying organism: Bodily injury $100,000 any one occurrence; property damage $100,000 any one occurrence; $500,000 minimum annual aggregate; errors & omissions coverage on occurrence basis required
- Other: Pollution liability (sudden and accidental discharge) required; policy must provide insurer notice of cancellation received by GDA at least 30 days prior; license not issued without proof of insurance
- Statute: O.C.G.A. 43-45-9
Renewal and continuing education
- Renewal: All licenses, certifications, employee registrations and research fees are for 2 years (or fraction) and expire June 30 of each odd-numbered year; not prorated. Certified Operator CEUs accumulate on a 5-year cycle.
- Continuing education:
- Certified operator (5-yr):
- WDO: 25
- HPC: 25
- Fumigation: 12
- Computer based max:
- WDO: 10
- HPC: 10
- Fumigation: 5
- Registered employee (2-yr):
- HPC: 8
- WDO: 8
- Fumigation: 3
- Deadline: earned prior to March 1 of each odd-numbered year
- Computer based max:
- HPC: 4
- WDO: 4
- Fumigation: 1
- Certified registered employee (2-yr):
- WDO: 10
- HPC: 10
- Computer based max:
- WDO: 5
- HPC: 5
Application recordkeeping
- Required fields:
- customer name
- address of property treated
- company name and telephone number
- technician name and registration/certification number (or temporary application number)
- pesticide product name or pest system applied/installed
- U.S. EPA registration number
- amount of pesticide or material applied
- concentration applied
- method of application
- specific area of application
- target pest
- application date (start/completion times required for non-residential facilities such as institutions, schools, commercial)
- post-application precautions
- Other: Legible pesticide use record must be given to the property owner/resident/custodian upon completion of every application or termite system installation/modification; electronic records allowed with signed electronic communication acknowledgement
- Retention years: 2
- Production: Within 48 hours on request (immediately in poisoning/contamination cases)
Free log with these fields: pesticide application record template.
Worth knowing
- All Georgia structural pest credentials expire together on June 30 of odd-numbered years and fees are not prorated.
- Wood-destroying organism companies need double the per-occurrence liability limits ($100K/$100K, $500K aggregate) plus errors & omissions coverage, vs $50K/$50K/$200K for other categories.
- Company license applications are approved by the Structural Pest Control Commission at its monthly meeting (applications due by the 1st of the month).
- Georgia has a separate Honey Bee Control and Removal (HBR) category for non-pesticide bee removal.
Official links
Law: O.C.G.A. Title 43, Ch. 45 (Georgia Structural Pest Control Act, incl. 43-45-9 insurance); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 620 (Rules of the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission)
Last verified 2026-09-23 against Georgia Department of Agriculture, Structural Pest Control Division (with the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission) 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.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I get a pest control license in Georgia?
Start as a registered employee (exam $45, registration $10), meet the training and experience rules, then pass the Certified Operator core and category exams ($45 each) and pay the $100 certification fee.
What insurance does a Georgia pest control company need?
For pest control: $50,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage per occurrence with a $200,000 annual aggregate. Wood destroying organism work requires $100,000/$100,000 with a $500,000 aggregate plus errors and omissions coverage.
Where can I verify Georgia pest control license requirements?
Directly with Georgia Department of Agriculture, Structural Pest Control Division (with the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission) - see the official links on this page. We last checked on 2026-09-23.
Sources
- GDA Licensing, Certification and Employee Registration (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 620-3 Licensing (accessed 2026-09-23)
- GDA Registered Employee Credential (accessed 2026-09-23)
- GDA Certified Operator License (accessed 2026-09-23)
- GDA Structural Pest Control Company License (accessed 2026-09-23)
- GDA Insurance Certification Form (SPS-13-06) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Georgia - spcc notice 14 02 pur compliance factsheet (agr.georgia.gov) (accessed 2026-09-23)