Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification (e.g. Category 7A General Pest, 7B Termite and Structural Pest)
Commercial Applicator · State license · RI Department of Environmental Management - Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment (Pesticides)
- Renewal cycle
- Every year
- Continuing education
- 8 hours
Show CE rules
8 credit hours per category every 5 years (1 credit hour = 50 minutes) from DEM-approved programs, submitted with renewal paperwork in the recertification year. DEM does not track credits; the applicator must keep records. Credits approved by any New England state are accepted. If not met, the applicant must attend core/category training and re-take the exam. - Deadline rule
- Certification is valid from issuance through January 31 and must be renewed annually.
Show fees, grace period, bond and insuranceHide fees, grace period, bond and insurance
- Grace period
- Not published, check with the board
Fees, approximate
- Renewal fee
- About $45
- Late fee
- Check the official site for the fee.
- Reinstatement
Show the details (amounts are approximate)
If not renewed within one year of the expiration date, certification can be regained only by re-examination (core plus each category previously held). Beyond one year, the applicant must attend the training course and pass the core and category exams again.
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
- Financial responsibility is required as either a $50,000 per-job performance bond payable to the State of Rhode Island, or liability insurance with bodily injury $50,000 per occurrence / $100,000 aggregate and property damage $50,000 (including completed operations and chemical or pollution liability). Fumigation (7C): $100,000 bond or $100,000/$300,000 BI plus $100,000 PD. Aerial: $100,000 bond or $100,000/$200,000 BI plus $100,000 PD.
- Reciprocity
- Reciprocal certification may be granted to applicators certified in another state (rule 250-RICR-40-15-2 section 2.20) and lasts only while the home-state certification is maintained.
Notes
A commercial pesticide license must be passed before taking the commercial certificate (category) exams. Online exam convenience fee is $30.11. Licensing and renewals run through DEM's DAFE Permit Application Portal (launched October 2024).
Confidence: HighConfirmed from official rule textLast checked Oct 17, 2026