Pesticide Applicator Licensing

Useful Links

Georgia Pest Management Handbook

• Access PDFs of each section of both commercial and homeowner handbooks 
• Purchase your own book copies
  • Commercial (updated every year)
  • Home and Garden (updated every other year)

UGA Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)

PSEP promotes the responsible and safe use of pesticides throughout Georgia. This is a resource for education, training programs, and study guides.

National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)

The NPIC provides "objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics" so you can make informed decisions.

Check out the Local Resources page for more information on who to contact in Georgia.

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Earn Your Pesticide License/CEUs

Private

STEP 1

• Purchase course access for the Georgia Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Training Program. You will receive an order confirmation immediately after purchasing course access, please keep this for your records. Step-by-step instructions on how to purchase access to the training can be here:
• How to purchase access to the UGA Private Applicator Certification Training Course (PDF)
  • Notice: Course enrollment is granted during normal business hours each weekday by the program coordinator. Do not be alarmed if you do not receive your welcome e-mail immediately after purchase. Dr. Johnson will enroll students into the course during normal business hours each weekday, typically around 10:00am EST or 4:00pm EST.

STEP 2

• Complete the training course with a passing grade of 70% or higher.

STEP 3

• Print the Certificate of Completion, and complete the Private Pesticide Applicators License Application, with Verification of Lawful Presence if needed.

STEP 4

• Take application forms and Certificate of Completion to your local county Extension agent, 325 Old Jesup Rd Brunswick, GA 31523

Commercial

Step 1

• Order your study guides. You can purchase printed copies and online study guides for general standards and specialty categories.

Step 2

• Register for your Exam

Step 3

• Take the Exams and pass each section with a 70% or more.

Step 4

• Follow the instructions given after the exam for submittal. You will need to sign the affidavit and have this notarized.

Structural

The GDA has created a computer-based version of the Structural Pest Control Examinations. Now you can go online to select a location and schedule an exam at a date and time of your choosing. You’ll receive your exam results instantly and have access to your exam history. The fee is $45.

Employee Registration Examination

The employee registration examination is available only at participating technical colleges. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• You must be an employee of a licensed structural pest control company.
• You must have completed 10 hours of classroom training and 70 hours of on-the-job experience with a certified operator or registered employee.

If you meet those criteria, follow these steps for examination and registration:

1. Go to www.GeorgiaPestExam.com to schedule an exam and print an application.
2. Give your application to a Designated Certified Operator (DCO) for signature.
3. Bring your application and fee to the scheduled exam location and complete the exam.
4. If you pass the exam, give the exam report and application to the DCO to complete. Mail to the GDA and include the fee payment.
5. If you fail, complete steps 1-3 again. There is a two-day waiting period to retake the exam. If you fail a third time, you must repeat the 10 hours of classroom training before retaking the exam.
6. If you don’t have a completed application and proper fee, you won’t be allowed to take the exam even if you’re scheduled.

Contractor

Certified commercial applicators who want to charge a fee for the application of any pesticide to the land of another person or business must also have a pesticide contractor’s license for each business location.

If you are a licensed pesticide contractor and you apply any pesticide to the lands of another person or business, you must have at least one full-time commercial pesticide applicator licensed at your business location. The commercial pesticide applicator will supervise all applications made under the license.

Pesticide contractors must pay an annual fee of $55 and demonstrate proof of financial responsibility. The application for a pesticide contractor’s license can be found at the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Division website: Pesticide Contractor License.

For more information on pesticide contractor’s licenses, please contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Division at (404) 656-4950 or at AgPest@agr.georgia.gov.

Testing Centers

Sign up for your test at one of Georgia’s Technical Colleges' testing locations. In Brunswick, we have access to testing at Coastal Pines at 3700 Glynco Parkway.

Re-Certification Courses