How often do I renew a pest control license in Kentucky?
Expires December 31 each year.
Source and quotation
Each license issued by the department shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How to Get a Pest control License in Kentucky (2026)
Quick answer
Pesticide operators and applicators need certification and licensing in the relevant category, except supervised registered trainees.
Exam
Pass general and category-specific competency examinations with at least 70%.
Renewal
Expires December 31 each year.
Minimum age
18 years old
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Official agency page
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
302 KAR 26:020.Pesticide certification and licensing.
Official sourceCheck your qualifications
Age
18 years old
Exam
Pass general and category-specific competency examinations with at least 70%.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
a minimum score of seventy (70) percent
Official sourcePrepare your application
Reciprocity
The department may waive certification for a valid out-of-state, tribal or federal license with substantially similar standards and reciprocal privileges; Kentucky dealer employment and fees are required.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
if the person is employed by a dealer registered in Kentucky ... Has requirements substantially similar to that of Kentucky; and ... Agrees to reciprocate with Kentucky.
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Pesticide operators and applicators need certification and licensing in the relevant category, except supervised registered trainees.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
with the exception of a registered trainee acting under the direct supervision of a licensed person.Official source
Agency guidance
License fee (twenty-five (25) dollars for applicators, $100 for operator) ... a twenty-five (25) dollar reciprocal fee.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
license fee (twenty-five (25) dollars for applicators, $100 for operator) ... a twenty-five (25) dollar reciprocal fee.Official source
Agency guidance
General pest and wood-destroying organism or fumigation license holders must maintain certification under this rule.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
To maintain certification, persons certified pursuant to KRS 217B.180(3) shall meet the requirements of 302 KAR 26:020.Official source
When do I renew, and is CE required?
Renewal
Expires December 31 each year.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Each license issued by the department shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year.Official source
Continuing education topics
At least twelve (12) continuing education units (CEU) of training ... At least one (1) CEU credit must be obtained from the Specific Standards of Competency
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
at least twelve (12) continuing education units (CEU) of training ... At least one (1) CEU credit shall be obtained from the Specific Standards of CompetencyOfficial source
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What does it cost?
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
What are the common questions?
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (10)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Board
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Kentucky Department of AgricultureOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Official agency page
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/302/026/020/
302 KAR 26:020.Pesticide certification and licensing.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Age
18 years old
18
At least eighteen (18) years of ageOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Exam
Pass general and category-specific competency examinations with at least 70%.
Pass general and category-specific competency examinations with at least 70%.
a minimum score of seventy (70) percentOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Renewal
Expires December 31 each year.
Each license issued by the department shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year. Applies to: Pesticide applicator or operator license
Each license issued by the department shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education topics
At least twelve (12) continuing education units (CEU) of training ... At least one (1) CEU credit must be obtained from the Specific Standards of Competency
12 approved CEUs in the three years before annual renewal, with at least one category-specific CEU for each license category.
at least twelve (12) continuing education units (CEU) of training ... At least one (1) CEU credit shall be obtained from the Specific Standards of CompetencyOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Reciprocity
The department may waive certification for a valid out-of-state, tribal or federal license with substantially similar standards and reciprocal privileges; Kentucky dealer employment and fees are required.
The department may waive certification for a valid out-of-state, tribal or federal license with substantially similar standards and reciprocal privileges; Kentucky dealer employment and fees are required.
if the person is employed by a dealer registered in Kentucky ... Has requirements substantially similar to that of Kentucky; and ... Agrees to reciprocate with Kentucky.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
Pesticide operators and applicators need certification and licensing in the relevant category, except supervised registered trainees.
Pesticide operators and applicators need certification and licensing in the relevant category, except supervised registered trainees.
with the exception of a registered trainee acting under the direct supervision of a licensed person.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
License fee (twenty-five (25) dollars for applicators, $100 for operator) ... a twenty-five (25) dollar reciprocal fee.
The rule specifies $25 for applicators and $100 for operators, payable within 30 days after passing; a reciprocal application has an additional $25 fee.
license fee (twenty-five (25) dollars for applicators, $100 for operator) ... a twenty-five (25) dollar reciprocal fee.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
General pest and wood-destroying organism or fumigation license holders must maintain certification under this rule.
General pest and wood-destroying organism or fumigation license holders must maintain certification under this rule.
To maintain certification, persons certified pursuant to KRS 217B.180(3) shall meet the requirements of 302 KAR 26:020.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, required hours — see the official agency.
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Following: How to Get a Pest control License in Kentucky (2026)
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Pest control in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Related licenses in Kentucky
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (1)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.