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Georgia Department of Agriculture

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is in charge of licensing and regulating the production and sale of animals, food, fuel, pesticides, and other agricultural products produced or sold in the State of Georgia. This Department regulates several programs, among which are the Fuel Program and the Pest Control Programs. Under the Fuel & Measures Program, the Fuel Program regulates LP Gas Mechanics and companies engaged in performing such work. The Agricultural Department also regulates two Programs for Pest Control, which are Agricultural Pest and Structural Pest Control.

The licenses that fall under the Agricultural Pest Control Program are the Pesticide Contractor License, Commercial Pesticide Applicator License and Private Pesticide Applicator License. The licenses under the Structural Pest Control Program, are the Pest Control Company License, Certified Operator and Registered Employee.

The testing process requires applicants to take an exam through the Commercial and Structural Pest System Exam website, which is administered by Athens Technical. In addition, examinations are held in several technical colleges throughout Georgia, which the applicant must contact to schedule their test. Most of these licenses require prior experience and approval to sit for the examination, but they all need Secure and Verifiable Documents to be submitted.

Fuel Program

The Georgia Department of Agriculture contains several programs, including the Fuel & Measures Program. Within that Program is the Fuel Program, which is responsible for inspecting all gas stations in the State to ensure consumers get the full amount of fuel they pay for, and that fuel is uncontaminated. This Program also regulates agency registrations and LP Gas Mechanics who work under the State

How to apply for the LP Gas Mechanic License in Georgia?

  1. Be employed by a licensed LP Gas Company
  2. Fill out and complete the registration packet, including:
    • Application for LPG Gas Agency Registration
    • LP Gas Mechanics License Application (signed by the applicant and the company)
    • Service Agency Bond form
    • LP Gas Repairmen's Test
  3. Have the equipment (provers) calibrated by the State Fuel Oil Lab
  4. Submit the applications along with the documents on the registration packet to the:
    Georgia Department of Agriculture
    19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., S.W.
    Atlanta, Georgia 30334
  5. Expect an answer from the Program in regards to the license

Structural Pest Control Program

The Structural Pest Division (SPD) licenses, regulates, and enforces state and federal structural pesticide laws. This is done through pest management professionals who specialize in structural pest control. In addition, the Structural Pest Control Program regulates companies by providing inspections as requested by consumers, and routine compliance audits to ensure that the companies comply with laws and regulations.

How to apply for the Structural Pest Control License in Georgia?

  1. Meet the experience requirements:
    • Two years of documented experience in structural pest control work
  2. Be employed by a licensed Pest Control company or hold a Pest Control Company License
  3. Create an account in the Georgia Commercial and Structural Pest Management Testing System and register for the exam
  4. Complete, print, fill out the application and mail it to the
    Department of Agriculture
    19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., S.W.
    Atlanta, Georgia 30334
  5. Schedule the exam within 60 days of the approval date at one of the participating technical colleges
  6. Take and pass the Certification Examination. Please note that the applicant must select both the General Examination and the examination of one or more of the other operational categories including: Fumigation, Household Pest Control, Wood-destroying Organism Control
  7. Expect a certification license application when approved. Follow the instructions contained within the application, fill it out and submit it to the Department of Agriculture with the appropriate fees
  8. Await the Program's answer regarding the license

How to Obtain the Employee Registration License in Georgia?

  1. Be at least 18 years of age
  2. Be employed by a licensed Structural Pest Control
  3. Meet the training requirements:
    • 10 hours of classroom training
    • 70 hours of on-the-job training experience under the supervision of a certified operator or a registered employee in the category(ies) applied for
  4. Register on the Commercial and Structural Pest Management Testing System website. Applicants must register for the exam and then print and complete an application, which must be signed by a Designated Certified Operator (DCO)
  5. Take and pass the examination. Applicants must bring the application and fees to the scheduled exam location
  6. Once approved, send the exam results along with a completed registration card application to the DCO so they can mail it all to the Department of Agriculture with the required fees
  7. Await for the Department to issue the license

In the State of Georgia, an application must be completed (either through the online portal or by paper) to obtain the Structural Pest Control Company License. It must include an electronic copy of the proof of insurance, at least two company names, and the corresponding fees. The applicant for the company license may also be the same as the Designated Certified Operator.

Agricultural Pest Control Program

Within the State of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Agriculture regulates all companies and operators by ensuring pest control services' safety, standardization, and quality. Under the GDA is the Pesticide Program which enforces state and federal laws on the use and application of pesticides. In addition, the program regulates the licensing of private pesticide applicators engaged in producing agricultural commodities, pesticide contractors, or businesses who offer pest control commercially and for a fee, and commercial pesticide applicators who provide pest control in settings such as rights-of-way, lawn care, and mosquito control.

How to Get the Pesticide Contractor License in Georgia?

  1. Have at least one full-time licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator working in the company, who will supervise all applications made
  2. Complete the online application and follow all the steps
  3. Expect the Georgia Department of Agriculture's email asking for the Secure & Verifiable documents (S&V) to be sent
  4. Log in and pay the license fee after approval by the GDA regarding the S&V documents
  5. Await for the Department of Agriculture to issue the license and send it to the mailing address provided on the application

The Pesticide Contractor License is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed. Therefore, if the candidate needs to renew the license, they must log into the account created the first time and pay the required fee again.

How to Get the Private Pesticide Applicator License in Georgia?

  1. Purchase course access for the Georgia Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Training Program and await the order confirmation immediately after purchase
  2. Take the training course, pass its examination with a minimum score of 70% and print the Certificate of Completion
  3. Complete the Private Pesticide Applicators License Application, with Verification of Lawful Presence (if applicable)
  4. Take both the application forms and Certificate of Completion to the local county Extension agent
  5. The GDA Pesticide Division will review the application and send it to the Licensing Division (if approved). Afterward, they will print and issue the license within 3 to 4 weeks

A private pesticide applicator's license is valid five years after the issue date. The worker must renew the license or retake the private applicator training if the license is expired. The Private Pesticide Applicator License may also be obtained by reciprocity with the States of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In addition, a Private Pesticide Applicator License from Georgia allows Licensees to use restricted-use pesticides in any of these states.

How to Get the Commercial Pesticide Applicator License in Georgia?

  1. Register for the test on the Commercial and Structural Pest Management Testing System website. First-time applicants must select the option to take both the general standards test and a major category examination from one of the available categories
  2. Schedule the test at any of the approved locations and print the application form provided by the site. The application must be signed by the applicant and taken along with the required examination fee to the chosen testing center
  3. Take and pass the examination with a minimum score of 70%
  4. Send the passing score results, appropriate fees and verification documents to the Department of Agriculture at:
    Department of Agriculture
    19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., S.W.
    Atlanta, Georgia 30334
  5. Expect the Department to mail out the license within two weeks after all the documents have been submitted

The Commercial Applicator license in Georgia may also be obtained by reciprocity. The State holds reciprocity with any State that has an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved pesticide program, as long as the category applied for concurs with the State of Georgia. Applicants must only fill out an application, meet the requirements and submit the application along with any fees and verification documents to the GDA Department.

Useful Links for the Georgia Department of Agriculture

Contact Information for the Department of Agriculture Licenses

Georgia Department of Agriculture

19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
(1-855) 424-5423
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pesticide Program

(404) 656-4958
(404) 657-8378
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Structural Pest Office

(404) 656-3641
Fax: (404) 463-6671
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Agricultural Pest Control Program

T'Mya Tomlinson (Applicator Licensing & Course Approvals)
(404) 656-4958
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Athens Technical College

800 US Highway 29 N
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 340-3962

Private Pesticide Applicators Program

Dr. Allison Johnson (Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator)
(706) 542-2141

Details