Check out this article by Luke Owen in Buncombe County for more information about the new Pesticide Standards.

Why get Licenced?

To apply pesticides (insecticides, herbicides or fungicides) to another person's property for a fee you must have a Commercial Ground Applicator's Pesticide License issued by the NC Department of Agriculture. The North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971 requires licensing for individuals applying any pesticide for compensation. The pesticide applicator is required to pass two tests: the Core Exam and a Category Exam. For you, this is the Category L Turf and Ornamentals.

Here is the Pesticide In-Person Exam Calendar for 2026.

* NOTE: Pesticide Schools are offered by NC STATE UNIVERSITY. They are not required in order to sit for the exam which is administered by the NC Department of Agriculture. School registrations and Exam fees are paid separately. Pay for EXAMS at the exam site via CHECK or MONEY ORDER, no Cash, Credit or Debit Cards. Online, you can find information on the Pesticide Safety School here; once you are registered for a Pesticide School, you don’t need to register for the test, you automatically have a spot for the test. Here is the In-Person and Online Pesticide Exam Information.