Pennsylvania Pest Control License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

Pennsylvania has 3 Pest control license classes. Most renew every year. Renewal fees are about $30 to $40, depending on the class. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount. Continuing education is 6 hours. The details for each class are below.

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 Certification

Commercial Applicator · State license · Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Program

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Renew on the official site 717-772-5231

We did not find online renewal for this license, so the link may open the board site.

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: 6 hours
Show CE rules
Update training every 3 years from PDA-approved courses: 6 core credits plus category credits for each category held (4 to 10 per category, e.g. 10 for Household and Health Related and for Wood Destroying Pests). PDA tracks credits and mails an annual statement. A separate certificate and fee are required if employed by more than one pesticide application business. ce_hours is core credits only.
Deadline rule: The certificate expires September 30 each year and the $40 annual fee is due by then. Every 3 years the applicator must also complete update training (recertification credits); an annual statement from PDA lists the renewal date and credits due. A new certificate expires on the September 30 following application (7 Pa. Code 128.44).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None; once the certification expires no further pesticide use is allowed under it.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $40
Late fee: No late fee in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128; an expired certification cannot be used to apply pesticides.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
If the certification expires in the triennial year in which credits are due, the delinquent credits must be completed. If delinquent credits are not completed, or the certification is not renewed, within 1 year of the expiration date, the applicator must re-establish eligibility by passing the exams again and paying the fees (7 Pa. Code 128.44(d)-(e)).

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: Not published, check with the board

Notes

Exam fees are $50 for the core exam and $10 per category (paper sessions); computer-based testing at select centers costs $110 for core and $70 per category. No annual fee is charged when initial certification requires an examination. Applicators must be employed by a business with a pesticide business license. Contact: PDA Pesticide Certification Team, 717-772-5231, [email protected].

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (4)

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Pesticide Application Business License (commercial/public)

Business License · State license · Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Program

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Renew on the official site 717-772-5231

We did not find online renewal for this license, so the link may open the board site.

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: The business license period ends December 31 each year; renew annually (7 Pa. Code 128.31(b)).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None stated. A business may not operate without a current pesticide application business license.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $35
Late fee: No late fee in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128 for the business license.
Reinstatement: Licensed businesses request renewal instructions and the application from PDA (717-772-5201); a business may not apply pesticides until licensed.

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: Comprehensive general liability of at least $100,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $100,000 per occurrence for property damage (combined limits allowed if they equal or exceed the sum), covering completed operations with a statement that coverage applies to pesticide application; maximum deductible $2,500; certificate of insurance with PDA as certificate holder, sent to PDA at each insurance renewal date (7 Pa. Code 128.34). Self-insurance may be allowed under 128.34(b).
Reciprocity: Not published, check with the board

Notes

Vehicles used in the pesticide application part of the business must display the license number in figures at least 3 inches high on both sides. Notify PDA in writing within 15 days of any change in application information. Business license inquiries: 717-772-5201. PDA issues renewal instructions and the renewal application on request.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (3)

Registered Pesticide Technician (commercial)

Registered Technician · State registration · Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Program

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Renew on the official site 717-772-5231

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: Required, but the hours are not published. Check with the board
Show CE rules
Annual employer-run training is required to keep the technician's knowledge current (7 Pa. Code 128.51(d)); no PDA credit hours. A new technician needs at least 30 calendar days of training under a certified applicator with at least 1 year of experience.
Deadline rule: Registration expires February 28 each year and is renewed annually by the employing business (7 Pa. Code 128.52).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None stated in 7 Pa. Code 128.52; registration expires February 28 each year.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $30
Late fee: No late fee in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128.
Reinstatement: The business must register the technician annually and submit evidence of training; registrations cannot transfer between businesses.

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: Not published, check with the board

Notes

Technicians must be 16 or older. The employing business must employ a certified applicator who has held certification for at least one year. Public technicians pay $20 per year.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (3)

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

How to renew

1Check your Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification deadline: The certificate expires September 30 each year and the $40 annual fee is due by then. Every 3 years the applicator must also complete update training (recertification credits); an annual statement from PDA lists the renewal date and credits due. A new certificate expires on the September 30 following application (7 Pa. Code 128.44).
2Complete 6 continuing education hours before renewing. Update training every 3 years from PDA-approved courses: 6 core credits plus category credits for each category held (4 to 10 per category, e.g. 10 for Household and Health Related and for Wood Destroying Pests). PDA tracks credits and mails an annual statement. A separate certificate and fee are required if employed by more than one pesticide application business. ce_hours is core credits only.
3Renewal information: https://paplants.pa.gov
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $40, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: No late fee in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128; an expired certification cannot be used to apply pesticides.
6Check your Pesticide Application Business License (commercial/public) deadline: The business license period ends December 31 each year; renew annually (7 Pa. Code 128.31(b)).
7Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
8Renewal information: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/plants-land-water/plant-industry/pesticide-programs/pesticide-application-businesses
9Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $35, but fees change.
10If you miss the deadline: No late fee in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128 for the business license.
11Check your Registered Pesticide Technician (commercial) deadline: Registration expires February 28 each year and is renewed annually by the employing business (7 Pa. Code 128.52).
12Renew online at https://paplants.pa.gov
13Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $30, but fees change.
14If you miss the deadline: No late fee in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128.

Pennsylvania Pest control renewal questions

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

When does a Pennsylvania pest control license expire?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification: renews every year. The certificate expires September 30 each year and the $40 annual fee is due by then. Every 3 years the applicator must also complete update training (recertification credits); an annual statement from PDA lists the renewal date and credits due. A new certificate expires on the September 30 following application (7 Pa. Code 128.44). Pesticide Application Business License (commercial/public): renews every year. The business license period ends December 31 each year; renew annually (7 Pa. Code 128.31(b)). Registered Pesticide Technician (commercial): renews every year. Registration expires February 28 each year and is renewed annually by the employing business (7 Pa. Code 128.52). Check with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Program before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Pennsylvania pest control license need?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification: 6 hours per renewal. Pesticide Application Business License (commercial/public): no CE required. Registered Pesticide Technician (commercial): CE is required, but the hours are not published. Check with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Program before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Pennsylvania pest control license?

None; once the certification expires no further pesticide use is allowed under it. Check with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Pesticide Program before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Pennsylvania pest control license?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification: About $40. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Pennsylvania pest control license expires?

No late fee in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 128; an expired certification cannot be used to apply pesticides. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

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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