Applies to Lawn & Ornamental / Turf Applications

Starting a Lawn Care Business in Texas

These requirements apply to lawn care companies performing pesticide applications to turf and ornamental landscapes in Texas, including:

• Weed control (herbicides)
• Insect control (insecticides)
• Disease control (fungicides)
• Any product with an EPA Registration Number, including Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs)

Even if your business does not perform structural pest control, applying these products to lawns places you under Texas pesticide regulations.

Regulating Agency

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
TDA oversees pesticide licensing, certification, and enforcement for lawn & ornamental applications.

👉 Official site: https://www.texasagriculture.gov
👉 Licensing page: https://www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/Pesticides/CommercialNoncommercialApplicators.aspx

Who Needs a License?

Individual Applicators

You must be licensed if you:

• Apply pesticides to lawns or landscapes for hire, or
• Apply Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs), or
• Apply pesticides as part of your job duties

Businesses

Your company must be licensed if:

• You offer lawn care pesticide services commercially
• You apply pesticides to property you do not own

Lawn Care Licensing Categories

Texas regulates lawn care under its pesticide program using categories such as:

• Lawn & Ornamental
• Landscape Maintenance (subcategories may apply depending on services)

These categories specifically cover turfgrass and ornamental plant applications, separate from structural pest control licensing.

Requirements Checklist

✅ Individual Applicator Requirements

• ☐ Commercial applicator license required
• ☐ Must pass core + category exam(s)
• ☐ Licensed in Lawn & Ornamental category
• ☐ Continuing education required for renewal

✅ Business Requirements

• ☐ Pesticide application business license required
• ☐ Employ at least one licensed applicator
• ☐ Business must be registered with TDA

✅ Operational Requirements

• ☐ Maintain pesticide application records
• ☐ Follow all pesticide label instructions (legally enforceable)
• ☐ Ensure proper storage and handling of chemicals

✅ Vehicle Identification Requirements (Texas-specific)

• ☐ Service vehicles must display company identification
• ☐ Required information may include:
  • Business name
  • City
  • Contact information

This is a Texas-specific requirement that many lawn care companies overlook.

✅ Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs)

• ☐ Must be applied by or under the supervision of a certified applicator
• ☐ Applicator must be licensed in the appropriate category
• ☐ Additional recordkeeping may apply

State-Specific Notes for Lawn Care Companies

• Texas separates agricultural pesticide licensing from structural pest control licensing
• Lawn care companies typically fall under the TDA pesticide program, not structural pest control (unless performing indoor/structural treatments)
• Category selection matters — applying the wrong category can put you out of compliance
• Vehicle marking requirements are more explicit than in many other states

Official Resources

• Texas Department of Agriculture – Pesticide Program
  https://www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/Pesticides.aspx
• Commercial Applicator Licensing
  https://www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/Pesticides/CommercialNoncommercialApplicators.aspx
• Structural Pest Control (separate program)
  https://www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/Pesticides/StructuralPestControlService.aspx

Staying Organized Across Licensing & Chemical Applications

As lawn care businesses grow, keeping track of applicator licenses, pesticide records, and chemical application details across crews and properties becomes increasingly difficult.

SPRAYE helps lawn care operators centralize:

• Applicator and technician information
• Chemical application records
• Service documentation
• Customer treatment history
• Route and operational workflows

—all in one system designed specifically for lawn care companies.

👉 See how Spraye supports lawn care operations