Landscaper license requirements in Texas.
Texas has no state landscaping or lawn care license — mowing and maintenance need no trade credential. But applying any pesticide to plants, trees, shrubs, or grass for hire does require a license, from either the Texas Department of Agriculture or the Structural Pest Control Service.
What Texas requires.
No state landscaping license
Texas does not license landscaping or lawn care as a trade. Mowing, pruning, planting, and general maintenance require no state trade license.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator — category 3A (Lawn & Ornamental / Landscape Maintenance)
Required to apply pesticides to plants, trees, shrubs, grass, or other horticultural plants for hire. Licensed through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Structural Pest Control Service licensing
The alternative licensing route for some outdoor applicators, depending on the work performed.
What the pesticide applicator license takes
- Pass the General Standards exam plus at least one category exam — for lawn care that is category 3A, Lawn & Ornamental Pest Control: Landscape Maintenance
- Commercial Pesticide Applicator license fee is $200 per year; the noncommercial license is $140 per year
- · The line is the spray, not the mower: landscaping alone needs no state license, but applying pesticide for hire does.
- · Local business registration and sales tax permits still apply even where no trade license does.
The official board
Texas Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Applicator Licensing (no state landscaping license exists)
Visit the boardVerified 2026-08 against the sources below. Licensing rules change — confirm with the board before relying on this page.
Texas landscaping and lawn care licensing FAQ.
Do you need a license to do landscaping in Texas?
No, not for landscaping itself. Texas does not license landscaping or lawn care as a trade, so mowing, pruning, planting, and maintenance need no state trade license. You do still need normal business registration.
Do you need a license to spray pesticides on lawns in Texas?
Yes. Anyone applying pesticides to plants, trees, shrubs, grass, or other horticultural plants for hire must be licensed — through the Texas Department of Agriculture in the appropriate category, or through the Structural Pest Control Service.
What pesticide license do Texas lawn care companies need?
The Texas Department of Agriculture category for lawn care is 3A — Lawn & Ornamental Pest Control: Landscape Maintenance. You pass the General Standards exam plus at least one category exam to be issued a license.
How much does a Texas pesticide applicator license cost?
The commercial pesticide applicator license runs $200 per year. The noncommercial license is $140 per year, and the noncommercial political subdivision license is $75 per year.
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