State rules · North Dakota
No state tree license found
We could not find a North Dakota state license made just for tree work. Commercial pesticide applicators must be certified, even for general-use products, and must show proof of financial responsibility. The Secretary of State licenses contractors on jobs over $4,000, so ask them if your work counts. Short explanation, not legal advice.
Checked 25 October 2026. Rules change. Verify with the state agency and your city before you work. Short explanation, not legal advice.
No state tree license found
We could not confirm a state-level tree service or arborist license in North Dakota. The state rules we did confirm are pesticide certification and the Secretary of State contractor license for construction jobs over $4,000. Check with the state and your city about tree work.
NDSU Extension, which runs pesticide certification for the state, says commercial applicators are people who apply pesticides to another party's land or property for hire. Since August 1, 2001, commercial applicators must be certified even for general-use pesticides. Commercial applicators must keep proof of financial responsibility of at least $100,000, or document an exemption. Certifications are renewed every three years by training or retesting.
The Secretary of State says that when the cost, value or price of a job exceeds $4,000, the person doing the work must be licensed as a contractor (NDCC ch. 43-07). The application needs a certificate of liability insurance and a Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) certificate or letter. We could not confirm whether plain tree trimming or removal counts as contracting under this law, so ask the Secretary of State before you take a job over $4,000.
Cities and counties can have their own licenses, right-of-way permits and tree ordinances, so check with the city or county where each job is before work starts.
Check with the city or county where each job is. Homeowners often ask about this too; you can send them our plain guide to tree permits.
North Dakota contractor licensing asks for liability insurance and a WSI document, and many customers ask for a certificate of insurance. Talk to a licensed insurance agent about what your business needs.
General information, not insurance advice. Talk with a licensed agent who knows tree work. More in insurance for tree services, or rough your cost with the workers comp estimator.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Checked 25 October 2026. If a link is broken or a rule has changed, tell us at hello@lirevon.com and we will update this page.
For tree service owners
We found no state-level license just for tree work in North Dakota. Pesticide, contractor and city rules can still apply. We could not confirm a state-level tree service or arborist license in North Dakota. The state rules we did confirm are pesticide certification and the Secretary of State contractor license for construction jobs over $4,000. Check with the state and your city about tree work. Checked 25 October 2026. Short explanation, not legal advice.
NDSU Extension, which runs pesticide certification for the state, says commercial applicators are people who apply pesticides to another party's land or property for hire. Since August 1, 2001, commercial applicators must be certified even for general-use pesticides. Commercial applicators must keep proof of financial responsibility of at least $100,000, or document an exemption. Certifications are renewed every three years by training or retesting. Confirm the exact license category with the North Dakota pesticide program before you spray or inject trees for pay.
The Secretary of State says that when the cost, value or price of a job exceeds $4,000, the person doing the work must be licensed as a contractor (NDCC ch. 43-07). The application needs a certificate of liability insurance and a Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) certificate or letter. We could not confirm whether plain tree trimming or removal counts as contracting under this law, so ask the Secretary of State before you take a job over $4,000. Check with the licensing board if a job is large or includes other construction work.
Cities and counties can have their own licenses, right-of-way permits and tree ordinances, so check with the city or county where each job is before work starts. Check with the city or county where each job is, not only where your shop is.
North Dakota contractor licensing asks for liability insurance and a WSI document, and many customers ask for a certificate of insurance. Talk to a licensed insurance agent about what your business needs. Talk with a licensed insurance agent who knows tree work. General information, not insurance advice.
We checked them on 25 October 2026 and linked 2 official sources on this page. Rules, fees and websites change, so confirm with the agency before you bid or work.
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