A Georgian interested in pest control may want to know how to start a pest control business in Georgia. You’ll need to take an exam and apply for licenses to start a pest control business, so let’s go over the things worth knowing.
How Do I Obtain A Pest Control License In Georgia?
First things first, you need to get proper certification. An examination can help you get your license for commercial pest control practice.
According to Georgia’s Department of Agriculture, you’ll need to pass a commercial applicator examination which the Georgia Technical College provides. You can inquire on the college’s website to find a testing center and a date that’s convenient for you.
The commercial applicator examination is divided into two parts: the general standards examination and at least one major category examination. You’ll need a result of at least 70% for each one to pass.
For the major category exams, here’s the list of categories you can take that relate to the kind of practice you want to undertake:
- Agricultural Plant Pest Control
- Animal Agriculture Pest Control
- Forest Pest Control
- Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
- Seed Treatment
- Aquatic Pest Control
- Right-of-Way Pest Control
- Public Health Pest Control
- Regulatory Pest Control
- Demonstration and Research Pest Control
- Aerial Equipment Authorization
- Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health-Related Pest Control
- Wood Treatment
- Microbial Pest Control
- Agricultural Commodity Fumigation
- Antifoulant Paints
- Worker Protection Standards
- Mosquito Control
They’ll require a $45 testing fee for each exam, which you can pay via check, credit card, or money order.
Suppose you fail one exam, like the general standards but pass the major category, for example.
In that case, they’ll keep a record of your passing score for one year and you only need to retake the part you failed. If you exceed one year, you’ll have to retake both exams.
After passing, you need to pay a $90 licensing fee to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. When that’s done and you submit the required documents, they’ll mail your license within two weeks.
As mentioned above, the kind of license you’ll get will depend on the category you picked from the list. The license will remain valid for five years.
If you need some ideas on what to prepare after getting the license, we’ve got a helpful guide on how much does it cost to start a pest control business.
When you’ve already established your pest control business, one option you could look into is getting a structural pest control license. This license will allow you to inspect and eliminate pests in various structures as the name implies.
It’ll last for two years and comes with a $100 fee with an added $70 research fee.
What Should You Do After Obtaining A License?
When you’re officially licensed, you’ll have to specify what variety of pest control services your business will provide. The category of your license can help you figure this out.
Then you’ll need investments of up to $10,000 to $50,000 to cover the supplies you’ll need. Of course, studying for the examinations will give you a general idea of what to purchase.
If you still need help figuring out what types of pesticides or chemicals you want to use, we’ve got a handy guide on what do pest control companies use.
You’ll also need to have a vehicle big enough for supplies ready. Purchase a truck or a van to serve this purpose.
To ensure a successful start-up, you’ll also be putting your investments into advertising material. Look into putting on vehicle signage, printing business cards, starting a website, or other promotional materials like print or online advertising.
In preparing to secure clients, you’ll need to polish your networking abilities. This practice can build strong relations with potential business or residential customers and suppliers.
Last but not least, it’s crucial to apply for insurance for security and contingency purposes. As you may already know, insurance can cover any costly drawbacks along the way.
How Profitable Is A Pest Control Business?
At this point, you’re probably wondering how much you can rake in from your pest control start-up. Once your pest control business is up and running, you can expect this business to make up to $75,000 annually.
If you set your prices right and begin establishing client relations, you’ll be able to yield this expected yearly income and live comfortably. In a Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the demand for exterminators may remain consistent from 2014 to 2024. With this, job security is guaranteed to be a sure thing.
Conclusion
Starting your own pest control business will no doubt come with challenges. Studying for the required exams and then preparing everything from supplies to promotional material will demand a lot of commitment.
That said, now you know how to start a pest control business in Georgia and what comes after. Thus, you can ready yourself for whatever life throws at you in this endeavor.
So what are you waiting for? Get ready for those examinations and investments and start your Georgian pest control business with flying colors!