Is Licensed And Bonded Needed For Tree Service?

With the landscaping industry in the U.S. estimated to grow by iv.5% between 2020 and 2025, if yous've already washed the hard work to acquire the ins and outs of the industry, you'll desire to remain office of the growing trend, even if you movement. As a landscaper who offers a backyard care service, your business is portable, giving you the flexibility to have information technology with you if you're moving country. Withal, along with landscaping insurance, yous might need a state license earlier you tin brainstorm work. Landscaper licensing requirements vary from land to state and may vary depending on the type of landscaper you are and the scope of work that you do. We've put together this comprehensive guide of licensing requirements in each of the 50 states. Our list focuses on lawn intendance and mural maintenance, too equally pesticide awarding. Many states require that you show proof of insurance as part of the requirements to receive a landscaping license.

Alabama

Landscaping contractors must be licensed to work in Alabama. The state license is issued past the Alabama Department of Agriculture, Sectionalisation of Plant Industries. The Horticulture Professional Services license covers landscape blueprint, tree surgery, setting of landscape plants, and ornamental and turf pest control. Applicants must laissez passer an test to be licensed. Yous volition also need a commercial pesticide applicator license if you lot apply pesticides equally a landscape horticulturist, mural planter or ornamental and turf supervisor. You lot will need to pass an exam.

Alaska

Landscaping contractors are considered specialty contractors in Alaska and require a state license to work. This license includes installing grass, shrubbery, trees, and decorative plants. You'll demand a $10,000 surety bond and must evidence proof of business insurance in Alaska, specifically general liability insurance and worker'southward bounty insurance. There is no exam requirement. You will also need pesticide applicator certification to use pesticides every bit part of your piece of work. You must pass a cadre exam and a category exam. You must also show proof of insurance. You'll need to complete 12 continuing education units to re-certify.

Arizona

A landscaper is not required to hold a state license work in Arizona, but you must bank check local licensing requirements before you lot brainstorm work. If yous employ pesticides as function of your lawn care service, y'all will need an ornamental and turf license issued by the Arizona Section of Agriculture. You must pass the core exam, too every bit ane category-specific exam. Yous must have held certification as an applicator for ii years out of the by x years, or for ane twelvemonth out of the by x years plus have completed 12 semester hours or a relevant degree, or you lot must have 2 years of experience in pest management.

Arkansas

Arkansas bug a Landscape Contractor license for any landscapers who programme to work in the state. This covers anyone who installs ornamental or horticultural plants. There are three levels of licenses depending on the heelyard area y'all'll maintain - upwardly to 5,000 foursquare feet, 5,001 to 15,000 foursquare feet, and over xv,001 square feet. The licenses are awarded by the Arkansas Agriculture Department. You volition as well need a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Arkansas Agriculture Department if yous program to utilise restricted-use pesticides as part of your landscaping service. You must laissez passer a core examination and a category examination. You must also nourish a pesticide prophylactic preparation session once every 3 years.

California

Every bit a landscaping contractor, yous must concord a state license to piece of work in California. Y'all will demand a C-27 Landscaping Contractor license classification, issued by the Department of Consumer Affair, Contractors State License Board. This volition encompass maintenance of landscape systems for public and individual gardens, and other areas designed to "aesthetically, architecturally, horticulturally or functionally" ameliorate grounds. You must evidence four years of experience, but tin can substitute three years of experience for a four-yr related caste from a college or academy. You lot must testify proof of a bond, equally well equally California business organisation insurance, including full general liability and worker's compensation insurance if you have employees. You lot need to pass a merchandise exam, as well as a business and police force test. Y'all will besides need a Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Certification from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The category Q applicator certificate covers the use of common pesticides in domicile landscapes. You must pass an exam. If you lot plan to use restricted-use pesticides, yous'll need to utilize for a category B Landscape Maintenance Qualified Applicator Certificate.

Colorado

There is no country licensing requirement in Colorado for landscaping services, which includes grass cutting, tree trimming or lawn aeration. However, at that place may be licensing requirements on a local level and then make sure to check these before you begin piece of work. In addition, any backyard service that applies herbicides or pesticides must concur a commercial applicator license. Yous must apply a qualified supervisor and must show proof of business insurance in Colorado.

Connecticut

You do not need a state license to work as a landscaper in Connecticut. Make sure to check local licensing requirements before you brainstorm whatsoever work. If yous apply pesticides, you'll need a commercial supervisory certificate from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. You must laissez passer a core exam and a category examination, as well as an oral exam.

Delaware

There are no land landscaper licensing requirements to work in Delaware. You lot must check local licensing requirements before you begin working. To commercially employ pesticides (apply pesticide to some other'due south holding for pay), yous must take a Pesticide Business license. Certification is only required when you use restricted-utilize pesticides, in which case you'll need to laissez passer a core examination and a category test.

Florida

You exercise not generally need a state license to work equally a landscaper in Florida. Still, there are certain circumstances in which yous volition need a license. If you'll be applying restricted-utilise pesticides to outdoor areas, you'll need a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license from the Florida Section of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Y'all'll need to pass a core examination, also as the Ornamental and Turf category test.

Georgia

Landscapers in Georgia only need a land license to apply general-utilise or restricted-employ pesticides. At that place are different categories of licenses awarded past the Georgia Department of Agronomics and you volition need the commercial applicator license. For a commercial applicator license, yous must the commercial applicator examination. These licenses are valid for five years.

Hawaii

Landscapers must hold a state license to work in Hawaii. Yous'll fall under classification C every bit a specialty contractor and volition need to concord a C-27 Landscaping Contractor license. There is likewise a C-27b Tree Trimming and Removal Contractor license. These licenses embrace country preparation for architectural horticulture, tree trimming, decorative treatments, arrangements of gardens and plants, hydro mulching, rock scaping, pruning, tree removal, and more. You lot must show proof of iv years of experience in the past ten years. You must pass an examination. You lot must show proof of liability and worker's bounty insurance. If you use restricted-apply pesticides as part of your landscaping service, you'll need to be certified by the Country of Hawaii Plant Manufacture Division. You lot'll need a commercial applicator certification in one of 11 categories, such equally Ornamental and Turf Pest Control. You'll need to pass an exam.

Idaho

At that place is no country license requirement for mural contractors in Idaho; yet, you will demand to be registered with the State of Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses if you perform improvement to property worth more than $2,000. You must pay a fee and show proof of general liability, and worker's compensation insurance. If you apply or supervise the awarding of pesticides, you lot'll demand a professional applicator license, in a category such as ornamental herbicide or ornamental insecticide/fungicide. Yous'll need to laissez passer a general exam and a law and safety exam.

Illinois

As a landscaper, y'all do non need a land license to work in Illinois unless you lot utilize restricted or general apply pesticides. In this example, you'll need an Applicator license from the Illinois Department of Public Health. You lot'll need to laissez passer an test.

Indiana

Landscapers in Indiana must hold a state license if they employ fertilizers or pesticides. There are different categories of licenses awarded past the Office of Indiana State Chemist.

Category 3a

Ornamental Pest Direction covers the use of pesticides on ornamental plants and related areas including landscape beds, driveways, residential parking areas, and more. Y'all must pass a Core exam, too every bit a Category exam. You must complete xv continuing certification hours.

Category 3b

Turf Direction covers the employ of fertilizers and pesticides on turf. You must laissez passer a Core test and a Category exam. Y'all must also complete a training program approved by the State Chemist or piece of work as a registered technician for 90 days or work every bit a licensed applicator in any category for a year or complete a ii-year turf program. Y'all must complete twenty continuing certification hours.

Iowa

As a landscaper who works in Iowa, you'll need a commercial applicator license if you apply pesticides every bit function of your business organisation. You'll need the 3T (Turf Pest) category, the 3O (Ornamental Pest) or the 3OT (Ornamental and Turf Pest) category. Yous'll need to pass an examination to be licensed.

Kansas

There are no country landscaper licensing requirements to work in Kansas. Still, if y'all employ pesticide as part of your work, you lot will need to concur a business license in a specific category, such as ornamental pest command and interior landscape. You'll also demand a Commercial Certified Pesticide Applicator license. Yous will need to pass a general exam, besides as a category or subcategory exam.

Kentucky

As a landscaper, you do not need a state license to piece of work in Kentucky, but y'all will need a license to apply fertilizers and pesticides. The license is awarded by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Yous'll demand to pass an exam and attend continuing educational activity sessions.

Louisiana

Landscapers must concur a country license to work in Louisiana. There are multiple licenses awarded by the Horticulture Commission of Louisiana, Department of Agriculture and Forestry. They include:

Mural Horticulturist License - includes plant installation, grass sodding, bush pruning, mulching, fertilizing. You must laissez passer an examination to receive your license.
Arborist License - includes tree surgery, trimming, pruning, cutting downwards, and removal. You must pass an exam and show proof of liability insurance. You likewise demand to complete continuing education seminars every three years in gild to renew your license.

In add-on, yous may need a ground owner operator license from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. This allows your business to employ pesticide past basis. You'll need to pass an exam and evidence proof of financial surety.

Maine

As a landscaper, you won't need a country license to work in Maine, unless you apply pesticides as part of your lawn and mural care or tree and shrub intendance. In this case, you'll need a commercial applicator license from the Board of Pesticides Control, Department of Agronomics, Conservation, and Forestry. Y'all'll need to pass a Cadre exam likewise as a Category exam. Yous must show proof of business insurance in Maine and yous must consummate a standing instruction form to remain licensed.

Maryland

As a landscaper in Maryland, you lot will need a home improvement license for landscaping and sod installation. The home improvement license covers all improvements to land adjacent to a edifice. Y'all must show proof of ii years of experience and proof of liability insurance. Yous'll likewise need to pass an examination. The license is awarded by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. In addition, to use pesticides every bit part of your landscaping and lawn intendance service, y'all must hold a commercial pest command application certification and your business must hold a pesticide business license. Y'all must have one year of applied pesticide application experience or a degree in a related field. You must pass an exam.

Massachusetts

You practice not need a state license to work as a landscaper in Massachusetts unless you lot apply pesticides equally part of your lawn care, landscape or tree care services. In this case, you'll need an applicator license from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Pesticide Plan. You must pass an exam and testify proof of business insurance in Massachusetts. Yous'll also need to complete half dozen contact hours of continuing education for license renewal.

Michigan

You don't need a land license to work as a landscaper in Michigan. However, y'all may demand a pesticide awarding certification awarded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Evolution. To become certified, you'll need to pass a core examination, also as a category exam.

Minnesota

The Minnesota Section of Transportation requires landscapers to concord a Landscape Specialist certification in club to install or supervise the installation and institution of plants. You must complete a class and pass an test. You will also need to hold a Pesticide Applicator license in order to use pesticides every bit part of your lawn care business concern. The Section of Agriculture will award a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license one time yous have passed a core and a category examination and have met the financial responsibility requirements.

Mississippi

If you merely perform lawn maintenance (grass mowing, fertilizing etc), you don't need a license to work in the state of Mississippi. Nonetheless, you lot may not advertise yourself as a landscaper in this case. If you are a landscaper, you volition need a state license. The Bureau of Plant Manufacture awards two licenses:

Landscape Horticulturist License - Includes anyone who sets or replaces plants. You'll need to laissez passer an examination and submit a surety bond of at least $1,000.
Tree Surgery License - Includes anyone who cares for, prunes, cables, braces, tops, trims, fertilizes, does crenel work or removes ornamental trees and shrubs. You'll need to pass an exam and show proof of liability insurance.

Y'all'll also need a commercial pesticide applicator license if you employ restricted-employ pesticides. You must pass a core examination and a category exam.

Missouri

There is no requirement to hold a state license to work as a landscaper in Missouri. Still, if you utilise pesticides every bit part of your landscaping service, you must have a commercial applicator certification from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. You'll need to pass a Core exam, as well equally a category exam. You'll also need proof of financial responsibility (proof of insurance or a surety bond).

Montana

You do non need a state license to work equally a landscaper in Montana. However, you will need a commercial pesticide applicator license in club to apply pesticides as office of your concern. The license is awarded past the Montana Department of Agriculture. You'll need to laissez passer a Cadre exam, as well as a category exam. Y'all must prove proof of business liability insurance in Montana and a surety bail.

Nebraska

There is no country landscaper licensing requirement in Nebraska. All the same, if yous apply lawn care pesticides as part of your business organization, you lot volition need a commercial pesticide applicator license, awarded by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. There are 14 categories and four sub-categories of commercial applicator certification. You'll need to laissez passer a general standards exam and at least one category exam.

Nevada

Landscapers must hold a state license in Nevada if they do work worth more than than $one,000 or if their work requires a building permit. A lawn maintenance service may not require a license. Notwithstanding, a license is required for work that includes installation of rocks, sand or gravel, planting trees, shrubs or other vegetation, and laying sod or hydroseeding. Yous'll need a classification C-x Landscape Contracting license awarded by the Nevada State Contractors Lath. You lot'll demand to show proof of four years of experience in the past ten years. You demand to pass a business and constabulary exam, as well equally a trade exam. Yous must show proof of insurance. In addition, to apply or supervise the application of restricted-utilise pesticides, y'all must be certified past the Department of Agronomics. You will demand to pass an test.

New Hampshire

There are no country landscaper licensing requirements in New Hampshire. Yet, to apply pesticides every bit part of your landscaping business concern, y'all will need a Pesticide Applicator License from the Division of Pesticide Control, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. You'll need to complete a 16-hour preparation course and pass a written and oral exam. You must show proof of liability insurance.

New Jersey

As a landscaper, if you're a tree expert or tree intendance operator, yous'll need a state license in New Jersey. This license covers tree pruning, repairing, brush cut or removal, tree removal, stump grinding or removal, tree establishment, fertilization, cabling and bracing, and more. The license is awarded by the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. Y'all must have completed a four-twelvemonth related college caste and have one yr of experience, or have three years of experience (five years for a tree care operators) immediately preceding your awarding or have completed a two-yr college course and accept three years of feel. You must pass an exam. If you employ pesticides every bit function of your landscaping or backyard intendance business concern, yous'll need a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Department of Environmental Protection. You must pass a cadre exam, besides as a category exam and must complete forty hours of on-the-job grooming for each category yous apply for.

New Mexico

As a landscaper, you won't need a state license to piece of work in New Mexico, although you may need a local license. However, you will need a commercial applicator license if you utilize pesticides as role of your landscaping or lawn intendance business. The license is awarded by the New Mexico Department of Agronomics. You must evidence two years of experience in applying pesticides or twenty hours of higher credits plus one year of experience. You must pass the core test, as well as at least ane category exam. You lot must besides show proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance or a surety bond).

New York

You do not demand a state license to work every bit a landscaper in New York; withal, you may need a local license so make sure to check this. You will demand a commercial pesticide applicator certification from the New York State Section of Environmental Conservation. You must show proof of feel, meeting ane of the post-obit requirements in the past five years:

One year of experience every bit a pesticide technician with 12 hours of category-specific training
Ii years of experience as a pesticide technician
Iii years of experience equally an apprentice
3 years of feel in the sale of pesticides with advisable technical knowledge

The certified commercial pesticide technician application requires one of the following:

Completion of a 30-hour approved course
Acquaintance caste
Two years of experience as an apprentice

For both licensees, you must pass a core and category exam.

North Carolina

A landscaper is required to hold a state contract in North Carolina for any work that includes planting, repairing, and managing gardens, lawns, shrubs, vines, copse, and other decorative vegetation. A license is not required for immigration and grading country, arboriculture, installation of sod, lawn mowing, turf management, and lawn care. You must show proof of a surety bail and pass an test. In addition, if you apply pesticides as function of your landscaping service, you must hold a commercial pesticide applicator license issued by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. You must pass an examination.

North Dakota

Yous won't need a state license to work as a landscaper in North Dakota, but you will need a commercial pesticide applicator license if you apply pesticides as office of your services. Y'all must laissez passer a core examination and at least one category exam. You must also bear witness proof of financial responsibility.

Ohio

There are no land landscaper licensing requirements in Ohio. However, if you employ pesticides (including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and rodenticides), you'll need a commercial applicator license. You lot'll need to pass an examination in the specific category in which yous program to use pesticides, for example, category vi for ornamental plant and shade tree pest control or category 8 for turf.

Oklahoma

As a landscaper in Oklahoma, yous won't need a land license to work unless you'll exist applying pesticides every bit part of your service. In this case, you'll demand a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Yous'll need to pass a core examination, as well equally at to the lowest degree ane category examination.

Oregon

To work as a landscaper in Oregon, you must concord a country license called a landscape structure professional license. This allows y'all to plan and install lawns, shrubs, vines, copse, or nursery stock, including preparing the property for the planting. If your concern undertakes only backyard intendance or landscape maintenance to existing landscapes, you volition not need a license. If you require a license, you'll need to laissez passer a business concern and constabulary exam, equally well every bit a general trade exam. You lot must testify proof of liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, and a surety bond. In improver, if you'll be applying pesticide every bit part of your service, you must agree a commercial applicator license. Yous'll need to laissez passer a law and safety test, too as at least one category test. Landscaper Licensing Requirements by State

Pennsylvania

You do non need a state license to work as a landscaper in Pennsylvania. Even so, if yous employ pesticides every bit part of your service, you may exist required to concur a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. You must pass a core exam, likewise as at least 1 category exam. There are 25 categories. Y'all must nourish update training programs to maintain your certification.

Rhode Island

At that place are no country landscaper licensing requirements in Rhode Island. Yet, if you lot employ pesticides as part of your concern, you'll need a commercial pesticide applicator license. This license is awarded by the Rhode Isle Department of Environmental Direction Division of Agriculture. You must complete a 12-60 minutes Cadre preparation course and laissez passer the core test, too as at to the lowest degree one category examination. Y'all must show proof of insurance.

S Carolina

To work as a landscaper in S Carolina, you won't need a state license; however, you may demand a local license so bank check these with your county before you begin piece of work. You lot volition, however, demand a commercial pesticide applicator license if yous employ pesticides every bit part of your service. You will need to pass a core examination and at least i category exam, and show proof of insurance. The license is awarded by the Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Due south Dakota

Y'all don't need a country license to work every bit a landscaper in South Dakota. Bank check local licensing requirements before you begin any piece of work. You will need a commercial pesticide applicator certification if yous employ pesticides as function of your service. The license will exist awarded past the State Department of Agronomics. Yous must pass an test to be eligible for the license.

Tennessee

A landscaper must hold a specialty state license to piece of work In Tennessee. The Landscaping (HRA-E.2) license covers seeding, sodding, planting, and chemical weed and castor control. There is no trade exam requirement, but y'all will demand to pass a business and law examination. You must show proof of insurance. In that location is a separate category for landscaping contractors which falls under the building nomenclature. If y'all apply restricted-use pesticides every bit office of your service, you'll need a commercial pesticide applicator license. You must pass a core examination and at least one category exam. You lot demand to accumulate recertification points in order to authorize for recertification. If you're applying for the HLT (Horticulture, Lawn and Turf) category, you lot'll need to pass an oral test in front of the TN Pest Command Board earlier you lot can take the two licensing exams.

Texas

There is no country license for landscapers working in Texas. Yet, if yous'll exist applying restricted-apply or land-express-apply pesticides as part of your lawn care or landscaping service, you must concur a commercial pesticide applicator license. This is awarded by the Texas Department of Agriculture. You'll need to laissez passer the general standards exam, likewise as at least ane category exam, such as 3A - Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control, Landscape Maintenance.

Utah

To work equally a landscaper in Utah, you volition need an Southward-330 Landscaping Contractor license. This classification will allow you to set land for horticultural or decorative treatment and conform and plant gardens, lawns, shrubs, vines, bushes, copse or other decorative vegetation. Since 2017, in that location is no longer an exam requirement. In addition, if you apply pesticides as role of your landscaping or lawn care business organisation, you must have a commercial pesticide applicator license. You will need to complete the Utah Commercial Pesticide Applicator License course and laissez passer a test.

Vermont

At that place are no state landscaper licensing requirements in Vermont. However, if you apply pesticides every bit function of your landscaping or lawn care business concern, you lot must hold a commercial pesticide applicator license. You lot'll demand to pass an exam set by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets.

Virginia

Landscapers who exercise not practise structure, excavation or grading work, but who offering maintenance and backyard care services do not need a state license to work in Virginia. If yous apply pesticides as function of your landscaping or lawn care service, you must have a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Y'all'll need to pass an exam and complete category-specific recertification sessions every 2 years to maintain your license.

Washington

You won't need a country license to piece of work as a landscaper in Washington; however, if you utilise pesticides as part of your business concern, you will need a commercial applicator pesticide license. The license is awarded by the Washington State Section of Agriculture. Yous must pass an examination and must show financial coverage in the form of liability insurance or a surety bond.

W Virginia

As a landscaper, you practise not need a license in West Virginia to offer lawn care services or landscape maintenance. The landscape specialty contractor license is simply required for preparation and alteration of land and the installation of concrete, brick, gravel, and stone. However, if you lot apply pesticides as part of your lawn care service, you lot will need a commercial pesticide applicator license. You'll need to pass a written exam and undertake training for recertification.

Wisconsin

Yous don't demand a land license to piece of work as a landscaper in Wisconsin. All the same, if you utilize pesticides as part of your lawn care services, you must concord a commercial pesticide applicator license from the State of Wisconsin Section of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Yous must pass an exam.

Wyoming

There is no state landscaper licensing requirement in Wyoming; however, if yous apply restricted-use pesticides every bit part of your business, yous must have a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Wyoming Department of Agronomics. You must pass an test to be licensed. This information is provided every bit a service. To the all-time of our cognition, it is correct and upward-to-date; however, it is non expected to exist taken as legal advice and you must always check the requirements on both a state level and a local regime level before yous commencement any work.