In Maryland, the Department of Agriculture issues the pesticide business licence and certifies pest control applicators. Any company can be checked against the state's public search tools for licensed businesses and certified applicators, and the department takes complaints through its complaint form.
Key takeaways
- The Maryland Department of Agriculture issues the pesticide business licence.
- A firm doing structural pest control needs that licence, must name at least one certified applicator in each category it works in, and must show proof of general liability insurance.
- The licence year runs from July 1 to June 30.
- Applicators pass a Core exam and a category exam at 70 percent or higher.
- The state's public search tools cover licensed businesses and certified applicators.
- The department takes complaints through a complaint form.
What does the state license?
The Maryland Department of Agriculture issues the pesticide business licence. A firm doing structural pest control must hold that licence, designate at least one certified applicator in each category it works in, and show proof of general liability insurance.
The licence is held by the business, and the certification is held by the individual applicator. Both are public records that you can check.
The licence year runs from July 1 to June 30, so a licence shown on an old document may have been renewed since.
What does certification involve?
Applicators pass a Core exam and a category exam, with a score of 70 percent or higher. The categories are described here in words, because the category numbers differ between older and current state documents.
The structural category and the wood-destroying insect category are both named in the state's material. Ask which category the technician is certified in for the work being done.
A certified applicator can be checked in the state's public search tools, so you do not need to rely on a verbal assurance.
How do you search the state's records?
Use the Maryland Department of Agriculture's public search tools on the state site to look up licensed businesses and certified applicators. Search by name where the tool allows it.
The search tools are listed on the department's pesticide regulation pages. Save the date, the name you searched and the result, so you have a record.
If a name does not come up, that is a question to ask the company before any work starts.
| Check | Where to look | What it confirms |
|---|---|---|
| Business licence | MDA public search for licensed businesses | The firm holds the state pesticide business licence |
| Certified applicator | MDA public search for certified applicators | The named person is certified in the category |
| Insurance | Ask the company for proof of general liability insurance | The firm can show the coverage the state requires |
| Concerns | MDA complaint form | A formal route for a problem with a firm or applicator |
What should you ask any company?
Ask for the business licence number, the name of the certified applicator who will do the work, the categories they are certified in and proof of general liability insurance. Check each one before the work starts.
A reputable company will answer these questions without difficulty. If the answers are unclear, that is a reason to look elsewhere before any treatment.
Write the answers down and keep them with the contract or the invoice.
- Business licence number
- Certified applicator name and category
- Proof of general liability insurance
- The scope and methods in writing
What if something does not look right?
Use the Maryland Department of Agriculture's complaint form to report a concern about a business or applicator. Keep your notes, dates and any written records before you send it.
A complaint is a formal record with the state, and it is the route for a concern about how a product was used or how a firm operated.
This guide does not decide any individual case. It explains the steps the state sets out for checking and reporting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a pest company is licensed in Maryland?
Use the Maryland Department of Agriculture's public search tools for licensed businesses. Note the name, the date and the result, and ask the company for its licence number if you cannot find it.
What is a category in pest control licensing?
A category is the type of work an applicator is certified for, such as the structural category or the wood-destroying insect category. Ask which category the technician holds for your job.
Where do I report a problem with a pest company?
Use the Maryland Department of Agriculture's complaint form. Keep dates, notes and any written records before you send it.
Do I need the licence number before I book?
It is reasonable to ask for it and to check it with the state's search tools before any work starts. Call (855) 974-4733 with any question about the job.
Sources
- Maryland Department of Agriculture – Pesticide Applicator Certification and Business Licensing Requirements
- Maryland Department of Agriculture – Pesticide business licensing and certification
This guide is general information for Montgomery County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.