STATE LICENSE
RequiredOffice of Indiana State Chemist (Purdue U…
Indiana is unusual: its pesticide regulator is a university office. The Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC), based at Purdue University in West Lafayette, licenses pesticide businesses and applicators under the Indiana Pesticide Use and Application Law (IC 15-16-5). A business applying any pesticide to another person's property for hire needs a Pesticide Business License, $300,000 of general liability coverage, and at least one licensed for-hire commercial applicator fully certified in the categories it works.
The rules tightened on July 1, 2024 (SEA 216): every individual applying even a general-use pesticide for hire must now be at least 18, an employee of the licensed business, and either a certified applicator or a registered technician. Structural work is Category 7a (general pests); termites are Category 7b, which also requires the Purdue Structural Pest Control Training Center program.
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
Pesticide licensing is state-level through OISC; no city or county pest-control license turned up in the jurisdictions researched. Local governments still handle general business registration where they require it.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every Indiana county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
All OISC credentials expire December 31 of the year of issuance — apply in late year and ask for a January 1 start to avoid paying twice.
Your certification lasts five years (to December 31 of the fourth year after you qualify) and is kept current with continuing certification hours; the license itself renews every year.
Since July 1, 2024, no one may apply even a general-use pesticide for hire unless certified or a registered technician employed by the licensed business.
A practical sequence for a new pest control contractor in Indiana. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Engaging in the business of using pesticides, or making wood-destroying pest inspections, for hire without a pesticide business license.
Failing to ensure the completed termite control customer disclosure form is issued before the application.
Operating in a careless or negligent manner is a listed violation with escalating civil penalties.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: Exact CCH count required for Categories 7a and 7b (the OISC CCH page lists per-category figures that could not be read for 7a/7b) · Exam fees and Purdue Structural Pest Control Training Center program cost · Whether any Indiana city imposes its own pest-control registration — none found, but not every city was checked
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.