How to Start a Landscaping Business in North Dakota (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a landscaping business in North Dakota requires no state license for basic lawn care and landscape work. However, any commercial landscaper applying pesticides to clients’ properties must obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification – a joint process administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and NDSU Extension. NDSU Extension plays an unusually active role in certification delivery, administering exams and providing training – a unique arrangement reflecting North Dakota’s agriculture-centered economy. WSI workers’ comp registration is mandatory before hiring any employee, and the state’s contractor registration applies to landscape construction projects over $4,000.

Landscaping Business Requirements in North Dakota at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC formation (Articles of Organization)	ND Secretary of State (FirstStop)	$135	1-3 business days
Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification (if applying pesticides)	NDDA / NDSU Extension	Contact NDSU at 701-231-8050 for current fees	Pass Core + Ornamental & Turf exam
Pesticide Business License (if employing applicators)	ND Department of Agriculture	Contact NDDA for current annual fee	Annual renewal
ND Contractor License (for construction work over $4,000)	ND Secretary of State	$100-$450 (by class)	2-4 weeks; renew by March 1
Sales and Use Tax Permit	ND State Tax Commissioner	Free	Apply 30 days before opening
WSI workers’ comp (if employees)	Workforce Safety & Insurance	Premium based on payroll	Before day 1 of employment
Commercial auto insurance	Private insurer	Varies	Before operating vehicles
General liability insurance	Private insurer	$500-$1,500+/year	Recommended before first client job

How to Start a Landscaping Business in North Dakota (Step by Step)

Step 1: Register Your Business Entity

File Articles of Organization for an LLC with the North Dakota Secretary of State via FirstStop for $135. Pay the $50 annual report fee each November 15. An LLC limits personal liability on property damage claims and contract disputes – both important risks in landscaping. If operating as a sole proprietor under a trade name, register the trade name for $25.

Step 2: Determine If Pesticide Applicator Certification Applies to You

This is the key licensing decision for North Dakota landscapers. Certification is required when:

You apply any pesticide (herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, or general-use pesticide with pesticidal claims) to another person’s property for compensation
Your employees apply pesticides commercially, even if you personally do not

Certification is not required if your landscaping work is limited to mowing, planting, pruning, and other non-pesticidal services. But even applying commercially available “general-use” products to clients’ lawns for pay requires certification in North Dakota.

Step 3: Get Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification

North Dakota’s pesticide applicator certification is jointly administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and NDSU Extension. NDSU Extension handles exam preparation and administration; NDDA issues the certification.

Contact information:

NDSU Extension Pesticide Program: (701) 231-8050 | ndsu.pesticide@ndsu.edu
NDDA Pesticide Program: ndda.nd.gov
NDSU Pesticide Certification page: ndsu.edu

Certification steps for landscapers (Ornamental and Turf category):

Study: NDSU Extension provides study manuals and training materials for both the Core exam and the Ornamental and Turf (Category applicable to landscaping) category exam
Pass the Core exam: A ground application core examination covering pesticide safety, handling, label reading, and environmental protection. Minimum passing score: 70%
Pass the Ornamental and Turf category exam: Covers pest identification, pesticide selection, and application techniques specific to lawns, ornamental plants, and turf management
Pay fees: Contact NDSU at (701) 231-8050 for current exam and certification fees – fee amounts are contained in application materials not publicly posted online
Certification validity: 3 years, renewable by completing 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or retesting

Step 4: Get a Pesticide Business License from NDDA

If you operate a landscaping business that employs or contracts certified pesticide applicators, you must also hold a Pesticide Business License from the NDDA. This is separate from the individual applicator certification. The business license renews annually. Contact the NDDA Pesticide Management Section for the current fee and application form: ndda.nd.gov.

Step 5: Register as a ND Contractor (for Projects Over $4,000)

If your landscaping work includes hardscaping, irrigation system installation, retaining walls, grading, or other construction elements valued over $4,000, you must register as a contractor with the North Dakota Secretary of State via FirstStop. License classes and fees:

Class D: Up to $100,000 per contract – $100 application / $30 annual renewal (due March 1)
Class C: Up to $300,000 per contract – $225 application / $45 annual renewal

Proof of general liability insurance (naming the ND Secretary of State as certificate holder) is required with your contractor application.

Step 6: Register for State Taxes

Plant and material sales: Taxable at 5.0% state rate plus local rates
Landscaping service labor: May be taxable depending on whether it is considered a taxable service – contact the Tax Commissioner at (701) 328-1246 for guidance on your specific services
Pesticide application as a service: May have separate tax treatment

Step 7: Register with WSI Before Hiring Employees

Before any employee’s first day, register with Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) at workforcesafety.com/employers. Landscaping is physically demanding work with significant injury risk – WSI class codes for landscaping reflect this. Key reminders:

North Dakota prohibits private workers’ comp insurance – WSI is the only option
Seasonal and part-time workers are covered from their first day
Sole proprietors are exempt but may elect voluntary WSI coverage
WSI does not include employer’s liability (stop-gap) coverage – purchase separately if desired

Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in North Dakota

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation	$135	One-time via FirstStop
Annual LLC report	$50/year	Due November 15
Pesticide applicator Core exam	Contact NDSU for current fee	NDSU Extension administers; call (701) 231-8050
Ornamental and Turf category exam	Contact NDSU for current fee	Required for landscaping pesticide work
Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification	Contact NDDA for current fee	Valid 3 years; renewal requires 12 CEUs
Pesticide Business License (NDDA)	Contact NDDA for current annual fee	Annual renewal required
ND Contractor License (Class D)	$100 initial + $30/year	For construction/hardscape projects over $4,000
General liability insurance	$500-$1,500+/year	Covers property damage claims; recommended for all clients
WSI workers’ comp (per employee)	Payroll-based premium	Landscaping class codes; mandatory through WSI
Equipment and tools	$5,000-$50,000+	Mowers, trimmers, trucks, trailers, spreaders

Estimated startup cost (licensing and compliance side): $1,000 to $3,000+ (before equipment)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to start a landscaping business in North Dakota?

For general lawn care (mowing, planting, pruning) with no pesticide application, no state license is required. However, if you apply any pesticides to clients’ properties for compensation – including general-use products like common lawn herbicides – you must hold a Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification from the NDDA/NDSU. This requires passing a Core exam and an Ornamental and Turf category exam. Contact NDSU Extension at (701) 231-8050 for study materials and exam scheduling.

Who administers pesticide licensing for North Dakota landscapers?

North Dakota uses an unusual joint administration model: NDSU Extension administers the pesticide certification exams and provides training materials, while the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) issues the actual certifications and business licenses. Contact NDSU Extension at (701) 231-8050 or ndsu.pesticide@ndsu.edu to register for exams. Contact NDDA at ndda.nd.gov for certification fees and business license applications.

Does my landscaping company need a contractor license in North Dakota?

Only if you perform work (hardscaping, irrigation installation, grading, retaining walls, etc.) on projects valued over $4,000. For those projects, register as a contractor with the ND Secretary of State via FirstStop. A Class D license covers projects up to $100,000 and costs $100 to apply plus $30 per year renewal (due March 1). Pure lawn maintenance and mowing work does not trigger the contractor license requirement.

How long is a North Dakota pesticide applicator certification valid?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator certifications are valid for 3 years. To renew, you must complete 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in approved pesticide training topics, or retake and pass the relevant exams. NDSU Extension provides CEU-approved training programs. Contact NDSU at (701) 231-8050 for available courses and CEU opportunities before your certification expires.

Are seasonal landscaping employees covered under North Dakota’s WSI?

Yes. All employees – including seasonal, part-time, and temporary landscaping workers – must be covered by Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) from their first day of work. North Dakota’s monopolistic workers’ comp system requires all employers to purchase coverage from WSI before any employee begins working. Private workers’ comp insurance is not available in North Dakota. Register at workforcesafety.com before your season begins.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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