# How to check pest control licensing by state

Find the right authority, match the business record and check the scope before booking.

Updated 2026-11-10. Also on the [web page](https://exterminator.fyi/guides/pest-control-licensing-by-state).

A company name is not enough to check a licence. Ask for the legal business name, licence number, issuing agency and the category that covers your job. Keep the reply with your quote.

## Start with the authority for the property

Use the property location, rather than the company's head office, to choose where to check. These public sources are starting points, not a complete legal survey:

| Market | Public source | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| California | Structural Pest Control Board | Follow its licence search to the Department of Consumer Affairs. Search the exact name or number. |
| Texas | Department of Agriculture, Structural Pest Control Service | Use the agency's structural pest control resources. Ask the agency about the category for the proposed work. |
| Florida | Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Use its pest control licensing resources. Match the company record to the quote. |
| British Columbia | Provincial certification and training resources | Ask which business licence and applicator certificate apply to your service. |

These agencies publish different records. Do not treat a company registration, an individual certificate and a trade membership as the same thing. The linked state and provincial pages below are the sources for these checks, accessed 2026-11-10.

## Match the record to the work

Save the public record link and the date you searched. Compare the business name and address with the quote. Read the status and any scope shown. If the register has several similar names, ask the company which record is theirs. If the scope is unclear, ask the agency before approving work.

EPA's hiring guidance asks customers to check the applicator's qualifications and the service category. Ask who will attend and who supervises the work. Ask the company to identify the licence or certificate that covers that person.

## Keep a short verification note

Record: property location; agency; business name; number; scope; status; date checked; unresolved questions. A directory entry or paid badge does not replace this check. Do not infer an expired or missing record from a failed search alone. Ask the authority to resolve it.

For wildlife work, ask which authority handles the proposed species and method. Do not assume a pesticide licence answers every wildlife question. This guide does not decide which permissions your job requires.

## Sources

All sources below were fetched and checked on 2026-11-10. Dates are access dates.

- [California Structural Pest Control Board, Search for a License](https://www.pestboard.ca.gov/license.shtml). Accessed 2026-11-10.
- [Texas Department of Agriculture, Structural Pest Control Service](https://www.texasagriculture.gov/Regulatory-Programs/Pesticides/Structural-Pest-Control-Service). Accessed 2026-11-10.
- [Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Pest Control](https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Pest-Control). Accessed 2026-11-10.
- [Government of British Columbia, Certification and Training](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/pesticides-pest-management/certification-training). Accessed 2026-11-10.
- [US EPA, Tips for Selecting a Pest Control Service](https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/tips-selecting-pest-control-service). Accessed 2026-11-10.

## Questions

### Does this guide replace a local inspection?

No. Confirm the pest, current licence and treatment scope with the company and relevant authority.