Ohio Pest Control License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

The Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (categories 10a/10b/10c etc.) (Ohio Department of Agriculture - Plant Health / Pesticide Regulation) renews every year, has a renewal fee of about $35 and requires 5 hours of continuing education. The Pesticide Business License (pest control company) (Ohio Department of Agriculture - Plant Health / Pesticide Regulation) renews every year and has a renewal fee of about $35. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (categories 10a/10b/10c etc.)

COMM-APP · State license · Ohio Department of Agriculture - Plant Health / Pesticide Regulation

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site (614) 728-6987

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: 5 hours
Show CE rules
Annual fee, but recertification every 3 years: either retake the exams in the third year or earn at least 5 hours of ODA-approved training in the 3-year period, including at least 1 hour of core and 0.5 hour for each licensed category (OAC 901:5-11-08; ODA application rev 7/24). Fertilizer certification needs a separate 1 hour that does not count toward pesticide hours. Private applicators need 3 hours. Wood-destroying insect (category 12) applicants must also complete a 5-hour WDI Inspection Training Program before the license is issued.
Deadline rule: Licensing period Oct 1 to Sep 30 (2026-27 period: Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027); expires Sept 30 annually; ODA mails renewal notices in summer.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No grace period: the 50% late fee applies from October 1. Renewal is accepted for a license current or expired less than 12 months.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $35
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
If the renewal application is not postmarked before the licensing period expires (Sept 30), the fee increases by 50% (about $17.50 late fee, about $52.50 total) (OAC 901:5-11-04(A); ODA renewal site).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Not stated in the rules; applicators who fall outside the renewal window must re-meet exam and competence requirements (passed exams are valid one calendar year from the exam date).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Applicator licenses: reciprocity based on state of residency with AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MS, NY, PA, VA, TX and WV (ODA application Part D); send a copy of the out-of-state driver's license and pesticide license. The form also lists National Railroad Contractors Association (NRCA) certification as a basis.

Notes

Individual license required for each applicator; must pass the Core exam plus at least one category exam (exams are free, passed exams valid one calendar year). Fee $35 per OAC 901:5-11-04 and ODA application rev 7/24 for the 2026-27 period; pay by mailed check or money order, or card per the form, or online through the ODA renewal site. Employed applicators are also needed by the pesticide business license (one per location).

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (5)

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Pesticide Business License (pest control company)

PBL · State license · Ohio Department of Agriculture - Plant Health / Pesticide Regulation

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site (614) 728-6987

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: Licensing period Oct 1 to Sep 30 (2026-27 period: Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027); expires Sept 30 each year; one license per business location; must employ at least one licensed commercial applicator per location.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None: late fee applies from October 1.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $35
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
If the renewal application is not postmarked before the licensing period ends (Sept 30), or acceptable proof of financial responsibility is not provided before October 1, the fee increases by 50% (about $17.50 late fee, about $52.50 total) (OAC 901:5-11-03(A) and (C), effective 12/5/2024).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Online company renewal is open to licenses that are current or expired less than 12 months, with the 50% late fee. A business whose license has lapsed longer must re-apply and show proof of financial responsibility (insurance) before operating.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Per OAC 901:5-11-07(B): commercial general liability plus a professional liability policy or endorsement covering property in care, custody and control, per registered location: $300,000 general aggregate, $300,000 per occurrence, $300,000 products/completed operations aggregate. Businesses with the wood-destroying insect (WDI) inspection category need errors and omissions coverage of $100,000 aggregate / $50,000 per occurrence (WDI-only businesses provide that coverage instead of the general liability policy). Aerial applicators: $100K property damage per occurrence, $100K bodily injury per person, $300K bodily injury per occurrence. The insurer must be authorized in Ohio; a certificate of insurance or binder (with the ODA cancellation-notice clause) goes with the application and must be on file before the license issues. Solicitation-only businesses are excluded from the general liability requirement. Certificates of insurance cannot be uploaded to the renewal site; email [email protected].
Reciprocity: Applicator licenses: reciprocity based on state of residency with AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MS, NY, PA, VA, TX, WV (per ODA application form Part D).

Notes

Fee $35 and period from ODA application rev 11/25 (Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027). A separate $35 Pesticide Solicitation License and $35 Restricted-Use Pesticide Dealer License exist. Payment by mailed check or money order, or credit card per the form; online renewal and payment are available through the ODA company renewal site. ODA phone 614-728-6987, [email protected]. Termite is category 10b, general pest 10a, fumigation 10c. A WDI inspection is a pesticide business activity and needs this license even if no pesticide is applied.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Ohio Pest control continuing education page.

How to renew

1Check your Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (categories 10a/10b/10c etc.) deadline: Licensing period Oct 1 to Sep 30 (2026-27 period: Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027); expires Sept 30 annually; ODA mails renewal notices in summer.
2Complete 5 continuing education hours before renewing. Annual fee, but recertification every 3 years: either retake the exams in the third year or earn at least 5 hours of ODA-approved training in the 3-year period, including at least 1 hour of core and 0.5 hour for each licensed category (OAC 901:5-11-08; ODA application rev 7/24). Fertilizer certification needs a separate 1 hour that does not count toward pesticide hours. Private applicators need 3 hours. Wood-destroying insect (category 12) applicants must also complete a 5-hour WDI Inspection Training Program before the license is issued.
3Renew online at https://www.planthealthrenewal.agri.ohio.gov/CommercialApplicator/
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $35, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: If the renewal application is not postmarked before the licensing period expires (Sept 30), the fee increases by 50% (about $17.50 late fee, about $52.50 total) (OAC 901:5-11-04(A); ODA renewal site).
6Check your Pesticide Business License (pest control company) deadline: Licensing period Oct 1 to Sep 30 (2026-27 period: Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027); expires Sept 30 each year; one license per business location; must employ at least one licensed commercial applicator per location.
7Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
8Renew online at https://www.planthealthrenewal.agri.ohio.gov/CompanyRenewals
9If you miss the deadline: If the renewal application is not postmarked before the licensing period ends (Sept 30), or acceptable proof of financial responsibility is not provided before October 1, the fee increases by 50% (about $17.50 late fee, about $52.50 total) (OAC 901:5-11-03(A) and (C), effective 12/5/2024).

Ohio Pest control renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does an Ohio pest control license expire?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (categories 10a/10b/10c etc.): renews every year. Licensing period Oct 1 to Sep 30 (2026-27 period: Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027); expires Sept 30 annually; ODA mails renewal notices in summer. Pesticide Business License (pest control company): renews every year. Licensing period Oct 1 to Sep 30 (2026-27 period: Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027); expires Sept 30 each year; one license per business location; must employ at least one licensed commercial applicator per location. Check with Ohio Department of Agriculture - Plant Health / Pesticide Regulation before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does an Ohio pest control license need?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (categories 10a/10b/10c etc.): 5 hours per renewal. Pesticide Business License (pest control company): no CE required. Check with Ohio Department of Agriculture - Plant Health / Pesticide Regulation before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for an Ohio pest control license?

No grace period: the 50% late fee applies from October 1. Renewal is accepted for a license current or expired less than 12 months. Check with Ohio Department of Agriculture - Plant Health / Pesticide Regulation before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew an Ohio pest control license?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (categories 10a/10b/10c etc.): About $35. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if an Ohio pest control license expires?

If the renewal application is not postmarked before the licensing period expires (Sept 30), the fee increases by 50% (about $17.50 late fee, about $52.50 total) (OAC 901:5-11-04(A); ODA renewal site). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does Ohio accept pest control licenses from other states?

Applicator licenses: reciprocity based on state of residency with AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MS, NY, PA, VA, TX and WV (ODA application Part D); send a copy of the out-of-state driver's license and pesticide license. The form also lists National Railroad Contractors Association (NRCA) certification as a basis. Check with Ohio Department of Agriculture - Plant Health / Pesticide Regulation before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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