Pest Control Business Permit Requirements in Shreveport, LA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 5%. Sellers must apply for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana also has parish- and municipal-level sales taxes collected separately by local collectors, so the combined rate varies by parish and you must register with each applicable local collector in addition to the state.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.·Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

   Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

2. LDAF Structural Pest Control Commission — Pest Control Operator License and Place of Business Permit

   A pest control company in Louisiana is regulated by the Structural Pest Control Commission within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry — not by the agricultural pesticide-applicator program. Licensing is by phase: General Pest Control (household pests), Termite Control (termites and other wood-destroying organisms), Commercial Vertebrate Control, Structural Fumigation, Ship Fumigation and Commodity Fumigation. The company must hold a Place of Business Permit backed by proof of insurance and bond, and must employ a licensed Pest Control Operator who has passed the exam for each phase offered. Every technician and salesperson must be separately registered and must pass the technician exam within 90 days of employment.

   Official government source

   Place of Business Permit: $150/year for two employees or fewer, $200/year for three or more. Pest Control Operator license: $10 per phase. Exam: $50 per phase. Technicians/salespersons: $25 per technician, plus a $25 technician examination fee and a $25 registration processing fee; $10 for a change of employment or duplicate card.·LDAF publishes no processing time. Place of Business Permits run on a fixed cycle and expire June 30 each year, so timing is driven by that renewal date rather than an application queue. Technicians must pass the exam within 90 days of being hired. Since November 2025 in-person testing is offered only at the LDAF main office in Baton Rouge, with remote testing through the department's online vendor — schedule accordingly.

   Place of Business Permit: $150/year for two employees or fewer, $200/year for three or more. Pest Control Operator license: $10 per phase. Exam: $50 per phase. Technicians/salespersons: $25 per technician, plus a $25 technician examination fee and a $25 registration processing fee; $10 for a change of employment or duplicate card.

   LDAF publishes no processing time. Place of Business Permits run on a fixed cycle and expire June 30 each year, so timing is driven by that renewal date rather than an application queue. Technicians must pass the exam within 90 days of being hired. Since November 2025 in-person testing is offered only at the LDAF main office in Baton Rouge, with remote testing through the department's online vendor — schedule accordingly.

3. Louisiana Pest Control Business License

   In addition to individual applicator certification, Louisiana pest control businesses must hold a Ground Owner Operator License (or Aerial Owner Operator License for aircraft/drone application) issued by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, plus annual equipment registration and proof of liability insurance.

   Official government source

   $200 for Louisiana residents (based in Louisiana at least 90 days) or $500 for non-residents, plus a $50 equipment registration fee; proof of liability insurance of at least $25,000 (ground) or $50,000 (aerial) is required.·Not published by LDAF; apply before you begin operating and confirm current processing time with the LDAF pesticide licensing section.

   $200 for Louisiana residents (based in Louisiana at least 90 days) or $500 for non-residents, plus a $50 equipment registration fee; proof of liability insurance of at least $25,000 (ground) or $50,000 (aerial) is required.

   Not published by LDAF; apply before you begin operating and confirm current processing time with the LDAF pesticide licensing section.

1. City of Shreveport Revenue Division — Occupational License

   Shreveport requires an Occupational License for all businesses operating within city limits, administered by the Department of Finance (318-673-5500). A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained first. The license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Varies by business type: professionals pay 1/10 of 1% of gross receipts; retailers $50-$6,200/year; wholesalers $50-$7,500/year. A new business pays $50 if it opens in the first half of the calendar year, or $25 from July 1, pro-rated on projected gross sales.·Not published. Shreveport issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and are due before March 1.

   Varies by business type: professionals pay 1/10 of 1% of gross receipts; retailers $50-$6,200/year; wholesalers $50-$7,500/year. A new business pays $50 if it opens in the first half of the calendar year, or $25 from July 1, pro-rated on projected gross sales.

   Not published. Shreveport issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and are due before March 1.

2. Caddo Parish / Shreveport Home-Based or Commercial Business Registration

   If operating a pest control business from a commercial office or vehicle depot in Shreveport, obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission's Zoning Permits Center (505 Travis St., Ste. 130; 318-673-6480) before applying for an occupational/business license.

   Official government source

   $125 flat for a commercial location; $75 flat if home-based; no fee outside city limits.·Not published by the city. The Certificate of Occupancy must be in hand before the occupational license application.

   $125 flat for a commercial location; $75 flat if home-based; no fee outside city limits.

   Not published by the city. The Certificate of Occupancy must be in hand before the occupational license application.

Official Sources

• Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry — Commercial Pesticide Applicator License
• City of Shreveport Revenue Division

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