Pest Control Permit Requirements in New York City, NY

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)

2. EPA Federal Pesticide Requirements

   Federal law (FIFRA) requires all pesticide applicators to use only EPA-registered products and follow label instructions. Commercial applicators must maintain application records for at least 2 years.

   Official government source

   No federal fee·Ongoing compliance

   No federal fee

   Ongoing compliance

1. New York — Commercial Pesticide Applicator License

   New York requires commercial pest control businesses to use DEC-certified commercial pesticide applicators (typically Category 7A structural and rodent control) and to register the business with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Certification requires passing the core and category exams; certified applicators complete recertification credits each cycle. NYC enforces additional local notification requirements.

   Official government source

   $100 per exam + $450 initial commercial certification (3-year term; $150 each additional category) + $900 pesticide business registration per location (3-year term)·4–8 weeks

   $100 per exam + $450 initial commercial certification (3-year term; $150 each additional category) + $900 pesticide business registration per location (3-year term)

   4–8 weeks

2. New York — Sales Tax / Business Registration

   New York imposes a sales tax on pest control services. Rate varies by locality. Register with NYSDTF.

   Official government source

   No fee·1–2 weeks

   No fee

   1–2 weeks

1. No NYC general business license required

   New York City does not have a general business license, and pest control companies are not among the industries licensed by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Pest control regulation is at the state level: NYS DEC pesticide business registration and commercial applicator certification are required (see the DEC requirement).

   Official government source

   $0 — no NYC general business license exists·1–3 weeks

   $0 — no NYC general business license exists

   1–3 weeks

2. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation — Pesticide Applicator License

   New York requires commercial pest control businesses to register each business location with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as a registered pesticide business, and every applicator must hold DEC commercial pesticide applicator certification in the relevant categories. NYC does not add a separate city pesticide license.

   Official government source

   $100 exam; $450 initial commercial applicator certification (3-year term; +$150 per additional category); $900/3-year pesticide business registration per location·4–8 weeks (exam scheduling and processing)

   $100 exam; $450 initial commercial applicator certification (3-year term; +$150 per additional category); $900/3-year pesticide business registration per location

   4–8 weeks (exam scheduling and processing)

Official Sources

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation — Pesticide Applicator License
• New York City City Business Licensing

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