Georgia regulations
How Georgia pest control licensing works
Hiring a pest control company in Georgia? Here is what its license means, and how to check it yourself.
01 Company license
Per the Georgia Department of Agriculture, any individual or firm performing structural pest control for hire must hold a company license and have a Designated Certified Operator (DCO) for each category it operates in. Proof of insurance is required before a license is issued. The GDA insurance certification form references O.C.G.A. 43-45-9 and lists minimum coverage.
02 Certified operators and categories
Certified operators are certified by category. Commission rules list Household Pest Control (HPC), Wood-Destroying Organisms (WDO) and Fumigation (FUM). A certified operator doing work for hire must be employed by a licensed company or hold a company license.
03 Registered employees
Non-certified employees must be registered by the licensed company within 30 days of employment. Until then they may solicit or perform pest control work only in the presence of a certified operator or registered employee. Registration training is 10 classroom hours.
Recertification at a glance (per GDA sources)
| Credential | Cycle | HPC | WDO | Fumigation | Online cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified operator | 5 years | 25 credits | 25 credits | 12 credits | 10 hrs each HPC/WDO; 5 fumigation |
| Registered employee | 2 years | 8 credits | 8 credits | — | 4 credits |
How to check a company before you hire
- Use the Georgia Department of Agriculture licensing lookup, or call 404-656-3641.
- Confirm the company is licensed in the right category: WDO for termites, HPC for general pests.
- Ask for the name of the technician and whether they are certified or registered.
- Read any termite contract for re-inspection terms and what is covered.
Sources
- Georgia Dept. of Agriculture — Structural Pest Control Company License
- GDA Insurance Certification Form (SPS 13-06)
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 620-3 (Licensing)
- Georgia Dept. of Agriculture — Registered Employee Credential
- Georgia Dept. of Agriculture — Licensing, Certification and Employee Registration
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 620-3-.03 Recertification
- GDA — Structural Pest Consumer Information
Sources reviewed November 2026. Regulations change; confirm with the issuing agency.