Pest Control Permit Requirements in Madison, WI

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. Wisconsin - Commercial Pesticide Applicator License

   Wisconsin requires commercial pest control businesses to be licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Each applicator must pass the commercial applicator certification exam for every category they work in and hold an annual Individual Commercial Applicator License (ICAL); the company must hold a Pesticide Business License. Both licenses run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $45.00 per year for the Individual Commercial Applicator License ($40 base fee plus a $5 ACCP surcharge). The certification exam is free on paper at proctored locations or $45.00 computer-based through Pearson VUE. The company also needs a Pesticide Business License: $80.00 per year non-bulk, $92.50 per year if it handles bulk pesticide.·Not published - licenses run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed annually; certification itself is valid for five years.

   $45.00 per year for the Individual Commercial Applicator License ($40 base fee plus a $5 ACCP surcharge). The certification exam is free on paper at proctored locations or $45.00 computer-based through Pearson VUE. The company also needs a Pesticide Business License: $80.00 per year non-bulk, $92.50 per year if it handles bulk pesticide.

   Not published - licenses run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed annually; certification itself is valid for five years.

2. Wisconsin - Sales Tax / Business Registration

   Pest control labor and services are generally NOT subject to Wisconsin sales tax - Wisconsin taxes only an enumerated list of services and pest control is not on it (WI DOR Publication 201). The claim that a 5% tax applies to the service is wrong. If you sell pesticide products or other tangible goods separately, those sales are taxable and you must register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for a seller's permit.

   Official government source

   No tax applies to pest control labor. If you make taxable product sales, the seller's permit costs $20 for the initial two-year Business Tax Registration and $10 to renew every two years (Wisconsin DOR).·Register online and the permit number arrives by email in one to two business days; the paper permit is sent seven to ten business days after the application (Wisconsin DOR).

   No tax applies to pest control labor. If you make taxable product sales, the seller's permit costs $20 for the initial two-year Business Tax Registration and $10 to renew every two years (Wisconsin DOR).

   Register online and the permit number arrives by email in one to two business days; the paper permit is sent seven to ten business days after the application (Wisconsin DOR).

1. City of Madison - No General Business License

   The City of Madison does not have a general/generic business license. Per the city's own guidance: "The City of Madison does not have a generic business license. Most licenses issued by the Clerk's Office are for things that need to be inspected" (e.g. restaurants, pools, hotels). Pest control companies need no city general business license and there is no annual renewal. Commercial pesticide applicators are instead certified and licensed at the state level by the Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). If you work from home, Madison issues no home occupation permit - you simply have to meet the zoning code's home occupation standards.

   Official government source

   $0 - no such license exists.·Not applicable - there is no city license to apply for.

   $0 - no such license exists.

   Not applicable - there is no city license to apply for.

2. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture - Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification

   Wisconsin requires commercial pest control businesses to be licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Each applicator must pass the commercial applicator certification exam for every category they work in and hold an annual Individual Commercial Applicator License (ICAL); the company must hold a Pesticide Business License. Both licenses run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $45.00 per year for the Individual Commercial Applicator License ($40 base fee plus a $5 ACCP surcharge). The certification exam is free on paper at proctored locations or $45.00 computer-based through Pearson VUE. The company also needs a Pesticide Business License: $80.00 per year non-bulk, $92.50 per year if it handles bulk pesticide.·Not published - licenses run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed annually; certification itself is valid for five years.

   $45.00 per year for the Individual Commercial Applicator License ($40 base fee plus a $5 ACCP surcharge). The certification exam is free on paper at proctored locations or $45.00 computer-based through Pearson VUE. The company also needs a Pesticide Business License: $80.00 per year non-bulk, $92.50 per year if it handles bulk pesticide.

   Not published - licenses run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed annually; certification itself is valid for five years.

Official Sources

• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture — Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification
• Madison City Business Licensing

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