How to Get a Pest Control Licence & Do You Need One?

Are you looking to start your own pest control business or want to get hired in this sector, but not sure if you need a licence or permit in the UK? You’re in the right place. In this guide, we’re listing clearly the instances where you do and do not need a licence and how to get hold of one so you can get your new business or career off the ground.

The most common pest control jobs will affect the following animals:

• Rodents, such as mice and rats.
• Insects, such as bed bugs, chafer grubs, cockroaches, weevils, wasps, spiders, ants, caterpillars and slugs.
• Birds
  

There are a number of scenario's where pest controllers require certifications, see below for some examples - please feel free to contact a member of our technical team if you're unsure.

Need a licence:

• Catching rodents with a glue trap (As of July 31st 2024, it’s against the law not to have a licence).
• Managing protected species (or disturbing their habitats), such as great-crested newts, non-native bumblebees and barn owls.
• Controlling wild birds by disturbing, taking or killing them.
• Application of MAPP registered products

As of January 2026, new CRRU regulations now require purchasers and users of Professional rodenticides to have obtained a Level 2 Pest Management Certificate within the last 5 years, or have signed up to a CPD scheme.

Keep yourself up-to-date with our Level 2 Rodent Management courses.

Please note - we are unable to sell any professional rodenticides to any user without a valid Level 2 license completed within the last 5 years.

At Progreen/A1 Lawn, we offer a number of professional certifications and courses that offer both useful information and can be provided as proof of competency. These can be provided both in-house and online, Such as:

• Rodent Management
• Wasp & Bee Control
• Leatherjacket & Chafer Grub Control
• Bed Bug Control

Head to our Training courses here, or contact us to speak to one of our technical team.