Straight answers from a licensed New York exterminator and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) — serving all five boroughs, in English and Spanish.
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Anyone can buy a sprayer. Not everyone is allowed — or qualified — to apply professional pest‑control products in your home or business. Here’s what the credentials actually mean and why they matter for the result you get.
What the license actually certifies
A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) certified applicator has passed state examinations covering pest identification and biology, pesticide safety and handling, application equipment, and the laws that govern use. Many professional products are restricted and can legally be applied only by a certified applicator — or by a technician working under that operator’s direct supervision. That regulation exists for your safety: correct product, correct rate, correct placement.
Credentials beyond the minimum
The state license is the baseline. Two further credentials separate a careful operator from an expert one:
Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) — a certification from the Entomological Society of America for professionals with deep, tested knowledge of insect biology and Integrated Pest Management. Accurate identification drives the whole plan; an ACE is trained to get it right. (More on what an ACE is, here.)
Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) — a food‑safety qualification relevant to restaurants, bakeries, warehouses, and any food‑handling business that needs pest management aligned with their food‑safety plan.
Why it matters for your home — and your business
For homeowners, a licensed, knowledgeable applicator means products are chosen and placed correctly around children and pets, and the plan targets the actual pest rather than guesswork. For businesses, licensing and documentation are part of staying inspection‑ready: NYC Health Department inspectors expect professional, documented pest management, and a credentialed provider keeps that record clean.
How to verify a pest control company’s license
Ask for the NYSDEC certification number and the certified applicator’s name. Reputable companies share it readily. You can also look for third‑party verification — for example, our license is verified on our Yelp business profile — and for the ACE credential, which is listed in the Entomological Society of America’s directory.
A Brooklyn-based, NYSDEC-registered company (Reg. #15140) led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). For pests in your home or building, NYE provides IPM-based, low-exposure control matched to the exact pest and verified with a follow-up. ACE-led work comes with a client portal of service reports and photos, fully bilingual service, and no long-term contract.
Exterminator License FAQ
Do you need a license to spray pesticides in NY?
For commercial pest control, yes. New York requires a NYSDEC‑certified applicator; many professional products are restricted to certified applicators or technicians under their direct supervision.
What is a NYSDEC pesticide applicator certification?
A New York State credential earned by passing exams on pest biology, safe pesticide handling, and applicable law. It authorizes commercial application and holds the operator accountable to state standards.
What’s the difference between a license and the ACE credential?
The state license authorizes you to apply pesticides; the ACE (Associate Certified Entomologist) is a professional certification in entomology and IPM from the Entomological Society of America. The license is legal authority; the ACE is expertise.
How do I check if my exterminator is licensed?
Ask for the NYSDEC certification number and applicator name, and look for third‑party verification such as a license‑verified badge on their business listing.
