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United States · Certification exam

NC pesticide applicator license

An NC pesticide applicator license is needed by commercial applicators using any pesticide for pay, public operators and restricted use dealers, while farmers using restricted use pesticides need a private certification. Either way you pass North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) exams, in person or online, and then pay for the license.

  • 100Questions on the core exam
  • 70%Score to pass each exam
  • No limitRetakes of a failed exam
See the exam calendar

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

North Carolina license types

  • Commercial ground applicator: any pesticide for compensation.
  • Public operator: for a state or local government. No license fee.
  • Public utility, pest control consultant and restricted use dealer licenses.
  • Aerial licenses for pilots, contractors and apprentices.
  • Private applicator certification: for farmers applying restricted use pesticides to an agricultural commodity.

A pesticide applicator must be at least 18 under North Carolina’s rules. Structural pest control is a separate license.

How do you get an NC pesticide applicator license?

  1. Buy study materials from the NC State Pesticide Safety Education Office. A two-day pesticide school is offered but not required.
  2. Register for an in-person session, which starts at 1:00 p.m. and allows four hours, or buy an online exam proctored by Everblue, which you then have 60 days to take.
  3. Pass the 100-question core exam and a 50-question category exam, 70% each. Private applicators take a 50-question closed-book private exam. There’s no wait to retake.
  4. Pay the license fee.

Some exams, including Core, Private, Ornamental and Turf and Ag Pest Plant, are offered in Spanish. Core exams after July 1, 2025 include questions on the state’s new rules.

North Carolina fees

ItemFee
Core, dealer, consultant or aerial methods exam$50
Each category exam$20
Private or private fumigation exam$10
Online exam, extra per exam$26
Commercial, aerial, consultant, dealer or public utility license, each year$75
Private certification, every 3 years$10

Credits and renewal in North Carolina

Ground licenses are certified for five years and renewed every year by December 31. Over the five years you earn credits by category, such as 10 for Ornamental and Turf or Ag Pest Plant and 6 for Aquatic or Public Health, plus 3 for each extra category, spread over at least two years. Commercial credits are due by June 30 of the year your certification expires. Aerial certification runs two years. NC State Extension says private and commercial applicators who passed the core exam before July 1, 2025 must also watch a one-hour regulatory update video by their credit deadline (June 30 for commercial, September 30 for private).

Private certification lasts three years and needs 2 private safety credits and 2 private specialty credits.

NCDA&CS: Credential search ↗NC State Extension: Pesticide applicator certification and licensing ↗
Sources: NCDA&CS · NC State Extension and 6 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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