Texas · Continuing education
Texas Department of Agriculture CEU requirements
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) licenses pesticide applicators who use restricted-use, state-limited-use pesticides, and regulated herbicides. The Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS) under TDA regulates pest management professionals working in and around structures.
Licenses the Texas Department of Agriculture issues
These are the Texas credentials this agency licenses and recertifies.
Commercial Business License
Required for any business performing pest control for hire.
Noncommercial Business License
For government agencies, schools, or property owners performing pest control not for hire.
Applicator License
For individuals certified to apply restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides.
Technician License
For individuals applying pesticides under the supervision of a certified applicator.
Apprentice Registration
For individuals undergoing required training before becoming licensed technicians.
Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education hours
Hours required to renew a Texas license issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Courses have to be approved by this agency.
| License type | Required CEUs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private (Ag) | 15 CEUs | Every 5 Years. 2 in Laws & Regs; 2 in IPM. Max 10 CEUs online/internet. |
| Commercial (Ag) | 5 CEUs | Annually. 1 CEU each in 2 of: Laws, IPM, or Drift. Online/internet varies by year. |
| Aerial (Ag) | 5 CEUs | Annually. 1 Laws; 1 Drift; 1 Human Factors/Safety. Online/internet varies. |
| Certified (Structural) | 2 General + 1 per Cat | Annually. 1 General must cover Laws, Safety, or IPM. Online/internet varies. |
| Fumigation (Structural) | Above + 4 Hours | Annually. Must include fumigation-specific training. Online/internet varies. |
| Technician | 8 Hours | Annually. Safety, label, pests, equipment, emergency. Allowed with supervisor verification. |
Renewing with the Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas renewal deadline · December 31 annually
Texas differentiates between agricultural and structural licenses. Most commercial and technician licenses are renewed annually, while private agricultural certifications are valid for 5 years.
TDA partners with PSI Services to conduct exams for structural pesticide applicators. Applicants must be pre-qualified by TDA before scheduling exams. Exams are offered at 22 testing sites across Texas. Fees are $64 per exam.
Applicants for technician and certified applicator licenses must meet specific eligibility requirements and complete training before approval to test.
Technician License: 20 Hours (General) classroom training + 40 Hours On-the-Job Training (OJT); must complete a 6-hour technician course.
Adding a Category: 8 Hours classroom training + 40 Hours OJT; requirement applies to each new category.
Certified Applicator: Must meet one of the following: 12 months exp. (within last 24) + 6 months as licensed tech, or Biological science degree (Agronomy, Entomology, etc.), or Equivalent field/technical experience, or Held CA/Non-Comm license for 24 months.
Texas Department of Agriculture fees
Paid directly to the agency, not to LearnPest. We never mark up a state fee.
License Fees
- Structural Business License$300.00 Annual
- Structural Certified Applicator$125.00 Annual
- Structural Technician$125.00 Annual
- Ag Commercial Applicator$200.00 Annual
- Ag Non-Commercial Applicator$160.00 Annual
- Ag Private Applicator$100.00 / 5 Years
- Exam Fee (Per Category)$64.00 Per Attempt
Late Fees
- 1–90 days late50% of license fee
- 91–365 days late100% of license fee
- Late fee waiversMay be granted under special circumstances at TDA's discretion.
Earn your Texas Department of Agriculture hours with LearnPest
LearnPest sells state-approved Texas continuing education courses and bundles, stores every certificate, and reports your completions to the Texas Department of Agriculture. Prices, bundles and plans are on the Texas pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many continuing education hours does the Texas Department of Agriculture require?
The Texas Department of Agriculture sets continuing education hours by license type for Texas: Private (Ag) — 15 CEUs; Commercial (Ag) — 5 CEUs; Aerial (Ag) — 5 CEUs; Certified (Structural) — 2 General + 1 per Cat; Fumigation (Structural) — Above + 4 Hours; and Technician — 8 Hours. Hours must come from courses the Texas Department of Agriculture has approved. LearnPest sells state-approved Texas CEU courses and bundles for these license types, stores every certificate, and reports your completions to the Texas Department of Agriculture for you.
When do I have to renew my Texas pest control license with the Texas Department of Agriculture?
The Texas Department of Agriculture renewal deadline for Texas is: December 31 annually. Texas differentiates between agricultural and structural licenses. Most commercial and technician licenses are renewed annually, while private agricultural certifications are valid for 5 years. LearnPest tracks that Texas deadline for you, reminds you before it, and keeps every Texas Department of Agriculture CEU certificate you earn in one place.
How much does it cost to renew a Texas license with the Texas Department of Agriculture?
The Texas Department of Agriculture charges these Texas fees: Structural Business License — $300.00 Annual; Structural Certified Applicator — $125.00 Annual; Structural Technician — $125.00 Annual; Ag Commercial Applicator — $200.00 Annual; and Ag Non-Commercial Applicator — $160.00 Annual. Those fees go to the Texas Department of Agriculture, not to LearnPest — we never mark up a state fee. LearnPest charges separately for the Texas continuing education courses that renewal requires.
Who regulates pest control licensing in Texas?
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) licenses pesticide applicators who use restricted-use, state-limited-use pesticides, and regulated herbicides. The Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS) under TDA regulates pest management professionals working in and around structures. LearnPest is a continuing education provider for Texas and reports completions to the Texas Department of Agriculture on your behalf.
Where can I look up a Texas pest control license?
The Texas Department of Agriculture publishes a public Texas license lookup at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yrT4WOM85OOmWvJ715k4iYbw5osGiM-q?usp=drive_link. Use it to confirm your own license status, a coworker's, or a contractor's before hiring. LearnPest keeps your Texas CEU certificates and completion records alongside your license details so you can answer an audit without digging.