Academy · Licensing · PA
Pennsylvania pest control licence requirements
How do you get a pest control licence in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania applicator licences are issued by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) — Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Programs. Requirements are set per category rather than as a single general licence, so the exam you sit and the hours you carry depend on which categories you intend to work. Details below are published only once verified against the agency.
Reviewed by LTK editorial team
- Issuing agency
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) — Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Programs
- Exam structure
- Commercial/public applicator: pass a Core exam and one or more category exams, and be employed by a business holding a pesticide application business licence; apply for certification within 12 months of passing. Core and category exams are 50 multiple-choice questions, 35/50 (70%) to pass. PDA-proctored sessions at regional offices or County Extension: Core $50, category $10 each. Computer-based testing at Metro test centres: Core $110, category $70. Register via PaPlants.
- Application fee
- $40
- Cycle length
- 12 months
- Agreements
- Confirm with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Pesticide Certification Team (717-772-5231).
Reciprocity is the most commonly misunderstood part of moving states. We publish only agreements confirmed by the agency, never inferred ones.
Licence categories
| Code | Category |
|---|---|
| 06 | Ornamental and Shade Trees |
| 07 | Lawn and Turf |
| 10 | Right-of-way and Weeds |
| 11 | Household and Health Related |
| 12 | Wood Destroying Pests |
| 13 | Structural Fumigation |
| 15 | Public Health - Vertebrate Pests |
| 16 | Public Health - Invertebrate Pests |
| 19 | Wood Preservation |
| 20 | Commodity and Space Fumigation |
| 22 | Interior Plantscape |
| 23 | Park or School Pest Control |
| 24 | Swimming Pools |
