In North Carolina, you cannot spray pesticides for pay on someone else's property without a license. The license is issued by the Pesticide Section of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS).

Most people start with the commercial ground applicator license. You pass the Core exam, pass an exam for the type of work you do, and pay the license fee.

This guide walks through the license types, the steps, the fees, how to schedule an exam, and what you owe to keep the license. This site is an independent practice test site. We do not issue licenses and we are not part of NCDA&CS.

In short

  • Every applicator license and category needs the Core exam. Dealer licenses and private applicator certification do not.1
  • The Core exam costs $50 and each category exam costs $20. Online exams add $26 per exam.23
  • A commercial ground applicator license costs $75 per year and is certified for five years.1
  • In-person exams start at 1:00 pm and everyone gets the full four hours.3
  • Online exams are closed book and proctored. You have 60 days after you buy one.4
  • Residents of Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida may qualify for reciprocity.5
Contents
  1. License types
  2. Steps to get licensed
  3. Fees
  4. Scheduling the exam
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Reciprocity
  7. Common questions
  8. Sources

License types

NCDA&CS lists several ground licenses and a separate set of aerial licenses.1

LicenseWho needs it
026 Commercial Ground ApplicatorAnyone applying pesticides for compensation on someone else's property, such as lawn care, landscaping and mosquito companies
030 Pesticide ConsultantAnyone who gives pesticide advice for a fee. It does not allow applying.
031 and 032 Public Pesticide OperatorEmployees of federal and state agencies (031) or counties and cities (032) who apply pesticides for their employer
033 Public Utility Ground ApplicatorEmployees of utilities who apply pesticides on rights-of-way
037 Pesticide DealerAnyone who makes restricted use pesticides available to certified users
038 Private Applicator certificationFarmers who apply restricted use pesticides to grow an agricultural commodity on land they own or lease

Aerial licenses (027 to 029 and 034 to 036) cover applications by plane, helicopter or drone and are certified for two years. Structural pest control is a separate NCDA&CS program and is not covered here.1

Categories

On top of the Core exam, a commercial applicator is tested in one or more categories. They include Ornamental and Turf (L), Agricultural Pest Plant (O), Right-of-Way (H), Aquatic (A), Public Health (B), Forestry (G) and others.1 Pick the category that matches your work. A landscaper who sprays lawns needs L, a crop sprayer needs O.

Steps to get licensed

  1. Choose the license and category that match your work.1
  2. Study for the Core exam and your category exam. Study materials are sold by the NC State Pesticide Safety Education Office.3
  3. Register online for an in-person or online exam.3
  4. Take the exams. Results are posted by exam session, or you get an email link to your grades.6
  5. If you passed, send in the application form for your license and pay the fee.6

Consultants have an extra step. You send college transcripts showing at least 30 hours of coursework in the category and get pre-approval before you can test.1

Fees

ItemCost
Core, Dealer, Consultant and Aerial Methods exams$50 each
Category exams such as Ornamental and Turf or Right of Way$20 each
Private applicator exams$10 each
Online exam surcharge$26 per exam
Commercial ground applicator license$75 per year
Private applicator certification$10 every three years
Public pesticide operator licenseNo fee

Sources: the exam fee page and the license page.21 A first-time commercial applicator in Ornamental and Turf who tests in person pays $50 for Core, $20 for the category and $75 for the license, $145 in total. Online, add $26 for each of the two exams.3 In-person fees are collected on exam day, and credit cards are not yet accepted at every location.3

Scheduling the exam

In person

You must preregister. Seating is limited, and only preregistered candidates are guaranteed a seat.3 Exams begin at 1:00 pm unless noted. Arrive about 30 minutes early so all testers get the full four hours.3 Bring a government-issued photo ID, pencils and a calculator. Phones are not allowed as calculators.3

If you register and cannot come, tell the Pesticide Section at least 48 hours ahead. Otherwise you may be barred from another exam for 60 days.3

Online

Online exams use the same registration form, with an extra $26 per exam. They are closed book, recorded and reviewed by a third-party proctoring service. You need a desktop or laptop, a webcam, a microphone, Chrome and a 360-degree room scan. Once you buy an exam you have 60 days to take it, and online fees are non-refundable.4

Pesticide schools

Exam seats at a Pesticide School are only open to people signed up for that school.3

Renewal and continuing education

Pesticide licenses must be renewed every year. Commercial ground applicators are certified for five years, with the $75 renewal fee due each year. Private applicators renew every three years.17

To stay certified you also need continuing education credits. One credit is one hour. The amount depends on your category: 10 credits per five years for Ornamental and Turf, 10 for Agricultural Pest Plant, 6 for Aquatic, 4 for Right-of-Way.8 Private applicators need 2 safety credits and 2 specialty credits every three years.8 Our guide to North Carolina pesticide CE credits has the full table and the rules for several categories.

Reciprocity

North Carolina has reciprocal agreements, but only for people who live in another state. Non-residents certified by written exam in Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina or Florida can get a reciprocal commercial ground license for $75 per year. Once you become a North Carolina resident, reciprocity no longer applies and you must take the North Carolina exams. There is no reciprocity for dealers or consultants.5

When you are ready to test yourself, try the free practice test.

Common questions

Do I need the Core exam for every pesticide license?

For every applicator license and category, yes. The dealer license and the private applicator card do not require it.1

How many questions are on the Core exam?

NCDA&CS does not publish a question count on its exam pages. It states only that all testers receive four hours.3

Can I take the exam online?

Yes, for $26 extra per exam, with proctoring and closed book rules.4

Is the license for life?

No. You renew every year and earn continuing education credits in each certification period.18

Sources

All facts come from NCDA&CS pages checked in November 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm them with the Pesticide Section at 984-236-4575 before you pay.

  1. NCDA&CS: Pesticide Licenses (ncagr.gov)
  2. NCDA&CS: Pesticide Fees (ncagr.gov)
  3. NCDA&CS: Pesticide Exam Information (ncagr.gov)
  4. NCDA&CS: Pesticide Online Exam Guidelines (ncagr.gov)
  5. NCDA&CS: Pesticide Reciprocity Information (ncagr.gov)
  6. NCDA&CS: Pesticide In-Person Exam Results (ncagr.gov)
  7. NCDA&CS: Pesticide License Renewal (ncagr.gov)
  8. NCDA&CS: Pesticide Recertification (ncagr.gov)