Pest Control License in Georgia: Fees, Requirements & Startup Costs
Quick answer: The Georgia Department of Agriculture licenses a Structural Pest Control Company that treats buildings for hire. The company must employ a designated Certified Operator for each category it offers. The official initial charges are a $100 company license, a required $70 company research fee, and $100 for operator certification under the Georgia fee rule. Each operator category exam attempt costs $45 under the department exam guide.
Match the company license to its services
Georgia separates the business credential from the person who supervises structural pest control. The company applies for its own license, while an employed Certified Operator qualifies each category of work. An owner can fill that role if already certified. Otherwise, the launch plan needs an operator whose categories cover the services being sold. The Department of Agriculture company guidance is the starting point for that application.
Household Pest Control, Wood-Destroying Organism Control, and Fumigation are separate categories. A household treatment route does not by itself establish authority to sell wood-destroying organism work. Define the opening service list first, then verify that the designated operator holds every relevant category. When adding another line of work, check the credential and insurance before advertising it or booking customers.
Licensing in Georgia
Jurisdiction: state
Structural pest control for hire requires a Georgia Department of Agriculture company license and a designated certified operator for each operating category; household pest control and wood-destroying organism control are distinct categories.
Structural Pest Control Company License
BUSINESS Required to provide structural pest control for hire; designate an employed Certified Operator in each licensed category (Household Pest Control, Wood-Destroying Organism Control, or Fumigation).
| Fee | Amount | Period (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Company license, initial or renewal | $100 OFFICIAL FEE Source — rules.sos.ga.gov | 2 |
| Required research fee per company license, initial or renewal | $70 OFFICIAL FEE Source — rules.sos.ga.gov | 2 |
Exam: Not listed here
Experience: Must employ a designated Certified Operator for each category; the applicant may serve as that operator if certified.
Insurance: Bodily injury/property damage and sudden accidental pollution liability: at least $50,000 per occurrence and $200,000 annual aggregate; Wood-Destroying Organism category has additional $100,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate coverage plus errors and omissions. https://agr.georgia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pest-control/sps-13-06-insurance-form.pdf
Renewal and CE: Renewal period: 2 years · Source
Certified Operator License (Household Pest Control, Wood-Destroying Organism Control, or Fumigation)
INDIVIDUAL Qualifying individual who supervises the company's structural pest control in each certified category; core examination plus category examination required.
| Fee | Amount | Period (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Operator certification, initial or biennial license renewal | $100 OFFICIAL FEE Source — rules.sos.ga.gov | 2 |
| Each category examination attempt; general exam is free when taken with a category | $45 OFFICIAL FEE Source — agr.georgia.gov | — |
Exam: Provider: Georgia Department of Agriculture-approved testing locations via GAPestExam.com · Fee: 45 · Source
Experience: Two years of verifiable structural pest control service in the category, with one year within the last five years; or a related degree and one year of actual service within the last five years.
Education: A related degree may provide an alternative qualification route; no universal degree requirement. See https://agr.georgia.gov/certified-operator-license
Renewal and CE: Renewal period: 2 years · Source
Local note: Local occupation tax certificates/business licenses may additionally apply.
Data notes
Licenses run through June 30 of odd-numbered years without proration. Five-year recertification requires 25 credits for Household Pest Control or Wood-Destroying Organism Control, or 12 for Fumigation.
Verified: 2026-09-25
Qualify the individual operator
The Certified Operator applicant takes a general examination and the exam for each requested category. The general exam is free when taken with a category exam, according to the exam application guide. Each category attempt has its own charge, so a business planning more than one category should budget the exam attempts separately from the certification fee.
Eligibility requires two years of verifiable structural pest control service in the category, including one year within the last five years. An alternative uses a related degree and one year of actual service within the last five years. The operator license guidance describes that route; it does not make a degree mandatory for every applicant. Gather records that show the category and dates of actual service before relying on a prospective operator’s qualification.
Arrange coverage for the chosen category
The company’s insurance must include bodily injury, property damage, and sudden accidental pollution liability. The department insurance form states minimum limits of $50,000 per occurrence and $200,000 annual aggregate. Wood-Destroying Organism Control calls for additional $100,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate coverage, plus errors and omissions. Give an insurer the exact category list so the certificate fits the application and the work actually performed.
The department’s guidance lists no statewide bond amount or company background-check requirement. Request an actual coverage quote, particularly for wood-destroying organism work.
Calendar renewal and local registration
The company license and operator certification renew on a two-year cycle. The fee period ends June 30 of odd-numbered years, and the listed fees are not prorated for a partial period. That makes the application date relevant to cash planning even though it does not change the listed state charge. Keep both credentials and the insurance policy on the operating calendar.
The department distinguishes operator recertification from the two-year license renewal. Household Pest Control and Wood-Destroying Organism Control recertification require 25 continuing education credits over five years; Fumigation requires 12. It does not confirm company renewal continuing education. Check the operator’s category and recertification status before extending the service menu or changing the person designated to supervise it.
A city or county may also require an occupation tax certificate or business license. Ask the local government for the operating address about that filing and its fee. Local paperwork does not replace the Department of Agriculture credentials for structural pest control for hire.
Plan the opening budget
Use the Pest Control business hub, the license guide, and the startup cost guide to plan the company, qualified operator, equipment, insurance, and working cash together. Compare Florida and Texas for other state approaches; Georgia’s company and category rules govern a Georgia operation.
Estimated startup cost: $8,650–$10,800 Estimated startup cost: $8,650–$10,800. Break-even at about 7 jobs per month. Monthly overhead: $1,600–$1,700 · Annual operating: $18,900–$20,600 · Break-even: 7 jobs/month Vehicle operating per month: $760 CALCULATED Phone and admin per month: $150 YOUR INPUT Route/recurring revenue per month: $0 CALCULATED Startup total is the sum of available first-year cost lines. Monthly overhead includes insurance, software, marketing, vehicle operating, phone and admin, and payroll. Break-even jobs = monthly overhead ÷ (average ticket × gross margin).Startup Cost Calculator
Licensing & exam fees $315 OFFICIALLicense details Business formation (state filing) $110 OFFICIAL Insurance (first year) $1,400 MARKET ESTIMATEGeneral liability Vehicle acquisition $0 YOUR INPUTYour existing vehicle; acquisition cost $0 Vehicle price sources
Tools & equipment $30 MARKET ESTIMATE Starter kit items
Software (first year) $590–$2,250 MARKET ESTIMATEPublished monthly list price × 12 Software price sources
Launch marketing $1,500 YOUR INPUTYour input — default: 3 months × $500 Payroll reserve $0 CALCULATEDBLS median wage × 173 hours/month × employees × employer taxes and ECEC benefits × working-capital months Working capital $4,750–$5,150 CALCULATEDMonthly overhead excluding payroll (shown separately) × working-capital months Permits & compliance $0 YOUR INPUTYour input — default $0; local requirements may apply Show formula
Official sources
- rules.sos.ga.gov — Company license, initial or renewal
- agr.georgia.gov — Each category examination attempt; general exam is free when taken with a category
- api.bls.gov — BLS OEWS Pest Control Workers
- sos.ga.gov — Georgia LLC filing fee
Market sources
- diypestcontrol.com — B&G AccuSpray pesticide sprayer
- homeandgardensupply.com — B&G Equipment 1150 Bulb Dust-R
- www.homedepot.com — Klein Tools 56026 inspection penlight
- www.homedepot.com — 3M 6200/07025(AAD) reusable respirator
- www.homedepot.com — HDX 999-27G-HDX 27-gal storage tote
- www.homedepot.com — Klein Tools ET16 borescope camera
- www.insureon.com — Insureon
- www.getjobber.com — Jobber
- www.housecallpro.com — Housecall Pro
- quickbooks.intuit.com — QuickBooks Online
- www.ramtrucks.com — 2026 Ram ProMaster cargo van (base)
- www.cars.com — 2026 Ford F-150 XL (base)
- www.cars.com — 2026 Ford Transit-150 cargo van (base, T-150 130in low roof RWD)
- www.coxautoinc.com — Used vehicle average listing price (all segments, not cargo-van specific)
Frequently asked questions
Does a Georgia pest control company need its own license?
Yes. Structural pest control for hire requires a Department of Agriculture company license and a designated Certified Operator for each operating category.
Can the business owner be the designated operator?
Yes, if the owner holds the required Certified Operator category; otherwise the company must employ a qualified operator.
Does Household Pest Control certification cover wood-destroying organism work?
No. Wood-Destroying Organism Control is a separate category requiring a qualified operator and additional company insurance coverage.
Are Georgia's company fees prorated for a partial license period?
No. The listed company license and research fees apply even if the filing falls within a partial period ending June 30 of an odd-numbered year.
Are the recertification credits due at every two-year renewal?
The required 25 credits for Household Pest Control or Wood-Destroying Organism Control, and 12 for Fumigation, apply to five-year operator recertification rather than each two-year license renewal.
Last updated: September 25, 2026