Professional Services categories in which a person or entity may be licensed by the Bureau are as follows:

1. Wood destroying insect control (WDIL) – This category includes persons engaged in control of termites, beetles, or other wood destroying insects in buildings and other structures, including homes, warehouses, stores, docks and/or other structures. Control of Formosan termites attacking trees is included in this category. An examination may be given and a license issued to include only control of insect pests of utility poles (UPL).
2. Orchard pest control (ORPL) – This category includes persons engaged in the control of insect pests, plant diseases or pest animals of various fruit and nut trees, brambles, vineyards and all plants normally classed as nut trees or fruit orchards.
3. General pest and rodent control (GRCL) – This category includes persons engaged in control of insect pests or pest animals which may invade homes, restaurants, stores and other buildings, attacking their contents or furnishings or being a general nuisance, but do not normally attack the building itself, as for example: roaches, silverfish, ants, flies, mosquitoes, carpet beetles, clothes moths, fleas, stored food insects, rats, mice, centipedes, etc. It includes services in the mosquito and biting fly category as set forth in subsection 101(4) of this chapter. Individuals issued the general pest and rodent control license may request MBFL as a separate license without taking the exam, PROVIDED, that the licensee submits an application that the license is needed to operate a company solely for performing mosquito and biting fly control services.
4. Mosquito and biting fly control (MBFL) – This category includes persons engaged solely in control of mosquitoes and biting flies including mosquito misting systems and back pack applications.
5. Horticultural pest control (HCPL) – This category includes persons engaged in control of insect pests, plant diseases, or pest animals of ornamental plants, shade trees (which may include nut or fruit trees if used as ornamental plants or shade trees) and lawns in residential, commercial, public, industrial and manufacturing areas.
6. Domestic animal pest control (DAPL) – This category includes persons engaged in control of insect pests of domestic animals.
7. Fumigation pest control (FUML) – This category includes persons engaged in control of pests by fumigation. A person holding a license or permit shall be present at the time fumigant is released.
8. Agricultural pest control (AGPL) – This category includes persons engaged in control of insect pests, plant diseases, or animal pests of agricultural crops during production. This category includes anyone soliciting and/or receiving a fee for these services who utilize ground application equipment.
9. Agricultural weed control (AGWL) – This category includes control of weeds in field crops, vegetable crops, pastures and rangeland. This category includes anyone soliciting and/or receiving a fee for these services who utilize ground application equipment.
10. Aquatic weed control (AQWL) – This category includes control of weeds in and around edges of lakes, ponds and streams.
11. Right-of-way weed control (ROWL) – This category includes control of weeds of rights-of-way, forest lands and drainage ditches.
12. Horticultural weed control (HCWL) – This category includes control of weeds in ornamental plants and turf in residential, commercial, public, industrial and manufacturing areas.

Application for an Operator License shall be submitted on a form furnished by the Bureau at least ten (10) days prior to regular scheduled examinations. There are no fees required to apply. You can qualify by education or experience.

Education

ALL categories: graduate from an accredited college or university with at least 15 semester hours or the equivalent in the category for which applicant is requesting a license, OR 2 years of college or university training with special training in the category for which applicant is requesting a license. You MUST attach a copy of all official transcripts.

Qualifying courses for Pest (Defined as Insect and Rodent Control) Exam include:

• 3 semester hours of entomology and 7 hours in advanced entomology and/or advanced zoology.
• 5 semester hours in at least two additional courses including animal ecology (if taught as a zoology or biology course), microbiology, organic chemistry, and other advanced level related courses.

Qualifying courses for Pest (Defined as Plant Disease Control) Exam include:

• 3 semester hours of basic plant pathology and 7 hours in advanced plant pathology and/or botany.
• 5 semester hours in at least two additional courses including plant ecology (if taught as a botany or biology course), elementary bacteriology and/or microbiology, organic chemistry, and other advanced level related courses.

Qualifying courses for Weed Control Exam include:

• 3 semester hours of weed science or turf management and 7 hours in advanced weed science, turf management, botany, or forestry management courses.
• 5 semester hours in at least two additional courses including general soils, microbiology, organic chemistry, and other advanced level related courses.

Work Experience

Applicants for Wood Destroying Insect Control, General Pest and Rodent Control, and Fumigation Pest Control: must be at least a high school graduate or equivalent and have had, in addition, at least four years’ experience with a licensed operator within the past six years.

Applicants for all other license categories: must be at least a high school graduate or equivalent and have had, in addition, at least one years’ experience with a licensed operator within the past two years.

The Operator License applicant must pass written examination, which will include the general standards for certification of commercial applicators. A separate examination will be required for each professional services category in which the applicant intends to perform services.

Written examinations shall be given at least once each quarter at Mississippi State, Mississippi. The dates for written examinations shall be the second Tuesday in January, April, July, and October of the calendar year.

Specific Dates for the Quarterly Written Examinations

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026
• Tuesday, January 12, 2027
• Tuesday, April 13, 2027
• Tuesday, July 13, 2027

Application must be submitted and approved at least ten (10) days prior to scheduled examination. Once approved, applicant will be notified in writing on the location and date of the examination.

Computer-based examinations shall also be offered at proctored testing centers in Mississippi. You must create an account with Metro Institute http://mississippi.metrosignup.com/. After creating the account, you must complete and submit a license exam application with all supporting documentation. Once an application is approved, a MDAC Testing ID number is created and emailed to you so you may log back into your account and schedule an exam at a testing center nearest to you. The application is valid for one (1) year. There is a fee of $55.00 per exam and each exam is timed (based on number of test questions). If an exam is failed, you must wait ninety (90) days from the exam date before rescheduling an exam.

Computer-based examinations can be taken at any time at one of these testing centers in Mississippi:

• Meridian – Meridian Community College
• Oxford – University of Mississippi
• Jackson – Hinds Community College
• Starkville – Mississippi State University

The passing score for each Operator License examination given shall be a correct answer rate of 70%. Upon successful completion of all required exams an Operator License will be issued designating the category(ies) in which the operator may conduct services.

Application for a Permit shall be submitted on a form furnished by the Bureau in time to be approved ten (10) days prior to regular scheduled examinations. There are no fees required to apply. No Permit application shall be accepted unless the applicant furnishes written proof that:

1. Applicant is a bona fide employee of a Company License holder, and
2. Must hold a Registered Technician Identification Card in the same category as that of the Permit being sought.

Branch offices may be supervised by either an Operator License holder or a Permit holder in the correct category(s). The Permit applicant must pass a written examination, which will include the general standards for certification of commercial applicators. A separate examination will be required for each professional services category in which the applicant intends to perform services.

Written examinations shall be given at least once each quarter at Mississippi State, Mississippi. The dates for written examinations shall be the second Tuesday in January, April, July, and October of the calendar year.

Specific Dates for the Quarterly Written Examinations

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026
• Tuesday, January 12, 2027
• Tuesday, April 13, 2027
• Tuesday, July 13, 2027

Application must be submitted and approved at least ten (10) days prior to scheduled examination. Once approved, applicant will be notified in writing on the location and date of the examination.

Computer-based examinations shall also be offered at proctored testing centers in Mississippi. You must create an account with Metro Institute http://mississippi.metrosignup.com/. After creating the account, you must complete and submit a permit exam application with all supporting documentation. Once an application is approved, a MDAC Testing ID number is created and emailed to you so you may log back into your account and schedule an exam at a testing center nearest to you. The application is valid for one (1) year. There is a fee of $55.00 per exam and each exam is timed (based on number of test questions). If an exam is failed, you must wait ninety (90) days from the exam date before rescheduling an exam.

Computer-based examinations can be taken at any time at one of these testing centers in Mississippi:

• Meridian – Meridian Community College
• Oxford – University of Mississippi
• Jackson – Hinds Community College
• Starkville – Mississippi State University

The passing score for each Permit examination given shall be a correct answer rate of 70%. Upon successful completion of all the required exams a Permit will be issued designating which categories the Permittee may conduct services in.

Individuals who do not hold either an Operator License or a Permit must obtain a Registered Technician Identification (RTID) prior to performing services (i.e., soliciting pesticide work, making pesticide applications, performing inspections) without direct on-site supervision.

The application for obtaining an RTID must be made on a form furnished by the Bureau. The application must be complete and accurate prior to being processed. This form will include a verification statement to be signed for any training that may be required prior to issuance of the RTID. Applicants seeking an RTID in the categories “WDI” or “GRC” or “FUM” must receive the following training prior to an RTID being issued:

1. Receive at least eight (8) hours of classroom training for general pesticide use and eight (8) hours of classroom training for each category in which the person is to obtain an RTID. Training shall include the following:
   1. Eight hours general training:
      1. Pesticide laws and regulations
      2. Pesticide labels and label comprehension
      3. Pesticide safety, handling, storage, disposal, emergency procedures, and cleanup
   2. Eight hours category specific (per category):
      1. Biology, control, and recognition of pests and pest damage
      2. Pesticides and specific labels for pest covered by the category
      3. Pesticide application techniques and equipment
      4. Environmental and health protection
2. Receive at least forty (40) hours of on-the-job training for each category under the direct on-site supervision of a trainer. This training must include a variety of different types of application situations for each category in which the trainee will be registered to perform.

   Upon approval of the application, an RTID will be issued designating the category(s) in which the employee may perform services. No person shall have more than one RTID issued to them at any given time. RTIDs issued in the categories “WDI” or “GRC” or “FUM” shall expire thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance.

All Operator Licenses and Permits shall expire thirty-six months from the date of issuance. To renew such License or Permit, the holder shall submit a request for renewal on a form prescribed by the Bureau within 12 months preceding the expiration date. Renewal can be accomplished by one of two methods:

1. Attend a training course approved by the Bureau, or
2. Retake and pass the appropriate examinations administered by the Bureau.

It is the responsibility of the licensee or Permit holder to know when his/her Operator License or Permit expires and to get the Operator License or Permit renewed prior to the expiration date.

RTIDs issued in the categories “WDI” or “GRC” or “FUM” shall expire thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance. To renew an RTID, a renewal form prescribed by the Bureau must be submitted showing that the RTID holder has attended a training course approved by the Bureau within the twelve (12) month period preceding the RTID expiration date.

Any private company, public entity, professional association, or other organization or training provider may apply to have a program approved by the Bureau. To be approved for recertification credit, you must complete a Pesticide Recertification Meeting Submission Form and include the program agenda and speaker resumes. The information can be emailed to Recertification@mdac.ms.gov at least 30 days before the program is held. Also, the program material must relate directly to the categories of certification and/or license for which credit is requested.

The Bureau of Plant Industry reviews and approves upwards of 180+ training courses each year that can be completed in-person, online, or via webinar. Any course sponsor that allows us to post their course publicly can be found on the Calendar – Approved Licensing and Commercial Certification Workshops or Meetings/Workshops Accepted for Licensing and Commercial Certification Online Renewal (PDF). Any course published will contain the contact information of the course sponsor along with meeting information and which category(s) have been approved for both commercial certification and professional services.