How to Get a Pest control License in Tennessee (2026)

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides/certification.html

Certification, Licensing and Charters

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides/pesticide-charters.html

Applications can be found here Charter Company Application.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Before the license examination, applicants must be commercially certified and qualify through two years working under a licensee in the category, a related four-year college degree, or a similar license in another state.

Before the license examination, applicants must be commercially certified and qualify through two years working under a licensee in the category, a related four-year college degree, or a similar license in another state.

License applicants must be commercially certified prior to the examination date. Applicants must qualify for the examination by: having two years verifiable experience working under a licensee in that category, or having a four-year college degree with major studies in a related field, or holding a similar license in another state.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The license exam includes questions and specimen identification; 70% is required to pass.

The license exam includes questions and specimen identification; 70% is required to pass.

The examination consists of both questions and specimen identification. A score of 70 percent is necessary to pass the exam.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

New structural charters in WDO, GRC, FUM or BDC need a $50,000 surety bond for the first three years; $10,000 annually thereafter.

New structural charters in WDO, GRC, FUM or BDC need a $50,000 surety bond for the first three years; $10,000 annually thereafter.

Surety bond for new charters (for any structural license category which includes the following licenses: WDO, GRC, FUM, BDC): need a $50,000 surety bond for the first 3 years. In the 4th year and thereafter, the surety bond shall be $10,000 per year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Charter insurance requires $250,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate. WDO businesses also need errors-and-omissions coverage of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.

Charter insurance requires $250,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate. WDO businesses also need errors-and-omissions coverage of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.

An application for charter requires a pro-rated fee of $200 per year, a $10,000 surety bond, and proof of liability insurance with the minimum coverages of $250,000 per incident and $500,000 aggregate. A $50,000 bond is required for new companies holding a WDO, GRC, FUM, or BDC licensee. In addition, firms that have a WDO licensee must carry errors and omissions coverage with minimums of $100,000 per incident and $300,000 aggregate.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$150

150

The license examination fee is $150 (paid at time of exam)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licenses and charters expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years.

Licenses and charters expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years. Applies to: Pest-control operator licenses and business charters

Licenses and charters expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Commercial certification requires approved CEUs during the certification period; required points depend on the category and the date certification was earned.

Commercial certification requires approved CEUs during the certification period; required points depend on the category and the date certification was earned.

To maintain a commercial certification, continuing education credits (CEUs), commonly known as "points," must be earned by attending approved training sessions during the certification period. Sessions can include in-house meetings, trade association events, Extension Service meetings and others. The number of points required varies by category and the date certification is earned.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Tennessee honors current commercial certifications from states with an agreement, but does not honor other states' licenses.

Tennessee honors current commercial certifications from states with an agreement, but does not honor other states' licenses.

Tennessee honors current commercial certification by other states with an agreement. Tennessee does not honor licenses issued in other states.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A company offering custom pesticide application needs a charter for each location.

A company offering custom pesticide application needs a charter for each location.

TAPA requires that a company providing or offering for sale any custom pesticide application must have a pest control charter. A charter is a type of permit issued by the department to a business and is required for each individual location.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

General Pest and Rodent Control (GRC) applicants must be certified in C07.

General Pest and Rodent Control (GRC) applicants must be certified in C07.

Applications for this license must be certified in (C07) Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Control.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The operator license charge is prorated at $20 per category per year.

The operator license charge is prorated at $20 per category per year.

A pro-rated fee is required of $20 per license category per year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A charter must have at least one licensee for each offered service category; each licensee can be listed on only one charter.

A charter must have at least one licensee for each offered service category; each licensee can be listed on only one charter.

A charter also requires that there be at least one licensee in each category of service offered. A licensee can only be listed on one charter.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026