To receive payment for spraying pesticides on someone else's property or to apply restricted use pesticides on your own property you need to become a licensed pesticide applicator with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. On July 30, 2025 pesticide license exams will be held at 2420 Tramway Rd, Sanford NC at 1pm to those who have registered in advance for the exam. You must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a license and pick the correct license category for what you intend to do. Study materials are available for purchase online through North Carolina State University’s Pesticide Safety Education program for new applicators or applicators that may need to refresh their memory on the material.

For more information, contact the North Carolina Department of Agriculture at 984-236-4627 with questions about registration and license categories or you can call North Carolina Cooperative Extension- Lee County Center at 919-775-5624 for more information about study materials.

Jared Butler is the Agriculture Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Lee County.