Pesticide Applicator Business

Part 1. General Information about Pesticide Applicator Business Licensing

The NJ Pesticide Control Regulations at NJAC 7:30-7 requires that all ‘Pesticide Applicator Businesses’ operating in New Jersey be licensed with the Bureau of Pesticide Control (BPC). The definition of a ‘Pesticide Applicator Business’ is a business or person who either wholly or in part holds himself out for hire to apply pesticides. (Examples: exterminators, landscapers, tree services, aerial applicators, pet groomers, etc.)

Businesses must obtain a license for each location where they have an office. Businesses must also obtain a separate license for every name they operate under. Businesses using telephone answering services where only messages are collected do not have to obtain a license for each answering service location. Out-of-state businesses who operate in New Jersey must also be licensed.

Licensing is required every year. The license year ends on October 31st each year.

Note: All business locations must have employed at least one licensed Commercial Certified Pesticide Applicator, who is certified in the appropriate categories. Each location must have their own responsible commercial certified pesticide applicator. The same commercial certified pesticide applicator cannot be listed for more than one physical location. If there is a change of responsible commercial certified pesticide applicator at a business location once the business is licensed, complete the Amendment to Applicator Business Form VPC-001  form and email a pdf copy to pestcertcourses@dep.nj.gov.

Part 2. Applying for the Initial Licensing of a Pesticide Applicator Business

Complete form VPA-013 , the Application for the Initial Licensing of a Pesticide Applicator Business.

1. Follow the instructions on the top of the form.
2. If completing by writing, please print & do so neatly.
3. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.
4. Submit the completed  business application as a pdf to pestcertcourses@dep.nj.gov.

Do not submit the $150.00 license fee at this time. After receipt of the application form the BPC will send you an invoice for the Pesticide Applicator Business License. That invoice will be used to pay the $150.00 license fee, and upon receipt of payment the license will be issued.

Note: Once you have your business license number, you must display that number on at least two sides of every service vehicle, in numbers at least 3 inches high. Also on each service vehicle, you must have wording, at least 3 inches high and on two sides, which clearly indicates that pesticides are stored in that vehicle. If the name of your business indicates this, then put that on the vehicle. Otherwise, put on something like “Pesticide Vehicle” or “Pest Control Unit.”

A Pesticide Applicator Business License renewal will be automatically sent to you before the expiration date of your license. Any changes to the Pesticide Applicator Business License must be reported to the BPC within 30 days.

Part 3. Liability Insurance Requirements

The minimum insurance coverage required to operate is as follows:

1. For pesticide applicator businesses which do not engage in fumigation pest control:

Liability insurance coverage from an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of New Jersey with the equivalent of a $300,000 combined single limit of liability for bodily injury and property damage, which includes coverage for completed operations.

As part of the coverage required above, coverage for chemical liability is required, for the types of pesticide application performed. This chemical liability coverage shall provide coverage equivalent to that provided by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) standard endorsement CG 22 64 (which provides chemical liability coverage for the ground application of pesticides by pesticide applicator businesses) or its equivalent.

If chemical liability coverage is not available for the type of pesticide applications performed by the pesticide applicator business, the pesticide applicator business shall obtain written confirmation from its insurance provider and submit this information with the Insurance Coverage Verification Form that is included with the invoice for licensing.

2. For pesticide applicator businesses engaged, wholly or in part, in fumigation pest control:

Liability insurance coverage from an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of New Jersey with the equivalent of a $500,000 combined single limit of liability for bodily injury and property damage, which includes coverage for completed operations.

As part of the coverage required above, coverage for chemical liability is required for the types of pesticide application performed. This chemical liability coverage shall provide coverage equivalent to that provided by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) standard endorsement CG 22 64 (which provides chemical liability coverage for the ground application of pesticides by pesticide applicator businesses) or its equivalent.

If chemical liability coverage is not available for the type of pesticide applications performed by the pesticide applicator business, the pesticide applicator shall obtain written confirmation from their insurance provider and submit this information with the Insurance Coverage Verification Form that is included with the invoice for licensing.

If you have any questions about pesticide applicator business licensing, call the BPC at (609) 984-6568. Please see the Pesticide Control Regulations for more information.

Part 4. Amendments to Business License

NJ Pesticide Control Regulation NJAC 7:30-7 requires a licensed business to notify the Department within 30 days of any change made to information originally included in the business application. This includes Business Name, Contact Information, Address, Responsible Certified Applicator, Categories of pest control, or business closings. Please submit a completed Amendment to Applicator Business Form VPC-001 to pestcertcourses@dep.nj.gov to report a change.

Part 5. Pesticide Applicator Business License Reports