North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Requirements & FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about North Carolina's pesticide certification, and state approved continuing education.

North Carolina Agricultural Continuing Education

Renewal Deadline:
Commercial applicators must renew their certification by Jun 30 every five years.
Private applicators must renew their certification by September 30 every three years.

CE Requirements:
Every applicator must complete a set number of credits depending on certification category. Credits in each category must be obtained during at least two years of the five year certification period.

North Carolina Structural Continuing Education

Renewal Deadline: Applicators must renew their licenses every five-years by June 30th.

CE Requirements:
Licensed in 1 phase - 10 CCUs
Licensed in any 2 phases - 15 CCUs
Licensed in all 3 phases - 20 CCUs

Frequently Asked Questions

North Carolina Pesticide Applicator General Information

North Carolina State Licensing Contact Information

Phone: (917) 707-3000
Fax: (919) 733-9796
Mailing Address:
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
1001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
Web: North Carolina Department of Agriculture

What pesticide application activities require a license in North Carolina?

Licensing is required for commercial applicators applying any type of pesticide for compensation, public operators working for a state or local government who apply pesticides in their course of work, dealers selling restricted use pesticides, or pest control consultants making recommendations for pesticide treatment of pest problems.

What kind of pesticide certification or license do I need in North Carolina?

Commercial Ground Applicators: The North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971 requires licensing for individuals applying any pesticide for compensation.

Public Ground Operators: Employees of federal, state, county, or municipal governments who apply pesticides in the course of their jobs are certified and licensed in the same manner as commercial applicators.

Private Pesticide Applicators: Farmers, or their employees, who use restricted use pesticides in the production of an agricultural commodity, on land that they own or lease

Certified Applicators: All applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides for structural pest control purposes must be certified by the Division in the appropriate phase of structural pest control or work under the direct supervision of a certified applicator

Registered Technician: All employees of certified applicators or licensees who perform structural pest control must be registered with the Division within 75 days of their employment.

What are the categories for North Carolina pesticide certification?

Commercial, Public & Private Categories:

A-Aquatic Pest Control
B-Public Health Control
D-Dealer
G-Forest Pest Control
H-Right-of-Way Pest Control
I-Regulatory Pest Control
K-Agricultural Pest Control-Animal
L-Ornamental & Turf Pest Control
M-Seed Treatment
N-Demonstration & Research
O-Agricultural Pest Control-Plant
P-Aerial Methods
S-Soil Fumigation (Commercial)
T-Wood Preservation and Wood Products Treatment
V/X-Private Pesticide Applicator (Safety Training)
Z (SF)-Private Soil Fumigation

Structural Categories:

P-Household Pest Control
W-Wood-Destroying Organisms Control
F-Fumigation