West Virginia Pest control License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)

West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Pesticide & Environmental Services Division

West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Pesticide & Environmental Services Division

West Virginia Department of Agriculture Pesticide & Environmental Services Division

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://agriculture.wv.gov/licenses/pesticides-licenses/commercial-applicator/

Commercial Applicator

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://agriculture.wv.gov/prerequisites-commercial-applicator/

Once pesticide examinations have been taken and graded, exam results and follow up paperwork will be emailed to the one who took and passed their pesticide examinations. If the proper examinations are passed, this would include the application to apply for a Commercial Applicator’s license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

For-hire applicants need at least one verifiable year of pesticide application experience or a degree in a related field.

For-hire applicants need at least one verifiable year of pesticide application experience or a degree in a related field.

required to have at least one year of pesticide/herbicide application experience that can be verified or have a degree in a related field (Agriculture, Forestry, Biology, etc.).

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Pass the General Standards (Core) exam and the applicable category exams.

Pass the General Standards (Core) exam and the applicable category exams.

One must take and pass the General Standards (Core) pesticide examination and the category examinations, depending on what type of pesticide/herbicide applications they will need to make

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The for-hire business needs liability coverage of $300,000 for bodily injury/death and $100,000 for property damage, plus workers' compensation and employers' liability if it has employees.

The for-hire business needs liability coverage of $300,000 for bodily injury/death and $100,000 for property damage, plus workers' compensation and employers' liability if it has employees.

An LPAB must show financial security in the form of a comprehensive general liability insurance policy in the minimum amount of $300,000 for bodily injury or death and $100,000 for property damage. In addition, the policy shall provide coverage for Workers’ Compensation and employers’ liability if the business has, or will have, employees working for the business.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$20

20

the $20 licensing fee

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$20

20

Each person taking the pesticide examinations is charged a fee of $20 per session, for one or more exams.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A Commercial Applicator’s license, for example, must be renewed annually

1

A Commercial Applicator’s license, for example, must be renewed annually

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal Period: November 1 - April 1

Renewal Period: November 1 - April 1 Applies to: Commercial applicator license; annual renewal window

Renewal Period: November 1 - April 1

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Earn 20 continuing certification units in every category every three years.

Earn 20 continuing certification units in every category every three years.

20 CCU's in every category every 3 years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A reciprocal application pathway is available for applicators licensed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio or Virginia.

A reciprocal application pathway is available for applicators licensed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio or Virginia.

Applicator licensed in the state of PA, MD, OH, or VA that will need to apply pesticides/herbicides in the state of WV.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

For-hire pesticide application businesses need an LPAB license; application employees need a commercial applicator or registered-technician credential.

For-hire pesticide application businesses need an LPAB license; application employees need a commercial applicator or registered-technician credential.

the business that you work for will be required to become licensed with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) as a Licensed Pesticide Application Business (LPAB) and any employees making pesticide applications for the business will be required to become licensed with the WVDA as a Commercial Applicator or as a Registered Technician

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The LPAB business license fee is $60.

The LPAB business license fee is $60.

The LPAB license application would need to be completed and returned with the $60 LPAB licensing fee

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The business's qualifying individual must pass the separate LPAB business examination.

The business's qualifying individual must pass the separate LPAB business examination.

the individual working for the business who needs to be named as the Qualifying Individual for the business will need to schedule to take and pass the Business (LPAB) examination.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026