In Texas, a company that applies weed killers, insect or grub control, or any other pesticide to a lawn for hire needs a Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) license, and sprinkler installation, repair or maintenance for hire must be done by, or under the supervision of, a TCEQ-licensed Landscape Irrigator. Fertilizer-only applications, mowing and tree trimming have no state license. Before you hire, ask for the TDA or LI number and verify it with the agency. This is general information, not legal advice.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change. Always confirm the current requirements with TDA or TCEQ, and talk to an attorney if you have a legal question.
Weed control, insect and grub treatments: TDA
In Texas, anyone who applies weed killers, insect or grub control, or other pesticides to a lawn for hire must hold a Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) applicator license. Fertilizer-only applications do not require one. Before you hire, ask for the company's TDA license number and verify it with TDA.
TDA's page on applying pesticides to lawns, trees and ornamentals says a license is needed to apply "any pesticide (regardless of classification and including general-use)" for hire, and states that "applicators who apply only fertilizer do not need to be licensed by TDA." What that means in practice:
- Weed control and pre-emergent: herbicides are pesticides, so this needs a license.
- Weed-and-feed: weed-and-feed products contain herbicide, so applying them is a pesticide application.
- Grub and insect control: these use insecticides and need a license.
- Fertilizer only: no TDA license required.
TDA lists the license categories that cover this work: an Agricultural Pesticide Applicator license in category 3A (Landscape Maintenance) and/or 5 (Vegetation Management), or a Structural Pest Control Service license in the Lawn and Ornamental and/or Weed Control categories. TDA also says every motor vehicle used by an employee of a 3A applicator business must display a TDA-issued decal.
The statute behind the commercial license is Texas Agriculture Code §76.108. TDA explains the difference between commercial applicators (who work on the property of another person for hire) and noncommercial applicators (who work only on their employer's property) on its commercial and noncommercial applicator page. In 2021, HB 1070 put into law TDA's interpretation allowing unlicensed employees to work under the "direct supervision" of a licensed applicator. If a crew member at your door is not licensed, it is fair to ask who the supervising licensee is.
Sprinkler and irrigation work: TCEQ
In Texas, sprinkler and irrigation installation, repair and maintenance for hire must be done by, or under the supervision of, a TCEQ-licensed Landscape Irrigator, whose LI license number must appear on their advertising. Homeowners may work on their own home's system. Ask for the LI number and verify it with TCEQ. Backflow testing requires a TCEQ-licensed backflow prevention assembly tester.
TCEQ's licensing page says "a person may not sell, design, install, maintain, alter, repair, service or inspect an irrigation system" without a license. The underlying law is Texas Occupations Code §1903.251. TCEQ issues three related licenses:
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Irrigator (LI) | The full scope of irrigation work, including connection to any water supply. |
| Irrigation Technician (IT) | Connects systems to a water supply and installs backflow prevention devices, under a licensed irrigator's supervision. |
| Irrigation Inspector (II) | Inspections for municipalities and water districts. |
Who is exempt
Occupations Code §1903.002 exempts, among others, property owners working on their own home, work done with a garden hose, agricultural irrigation, and people working under the direct supervision of a licensed irrigator. TCEQ's rule at 30 TAC §30.129(b)(1) describes the homeowner exemption as work "performed by a property owner in a building or on premises owned or occupied by the owner as the owner's home." Exempt people still have to follow the chapter's standards.
What a licensed irrigator's ads and trucks must show
Under 30 TAC §344.70, every advertisement for irrigation services must display the irrigator's license number, and vehicles used for irrigation work must show "LI" and the license number in block letters at least 2 inches high on both sides. The business location must post TCEQ complaint contact information. If a flyer or truck offers sprinkler repair with no LI number, ask why.
Rain and moisture shut-offs in Lubbock County
30 TAC §344.62(j) requires all new automatically controlled irrigation systems to include sensors or other technology that stop watering during rain or moisture, and a repair that replaces a controller must add one too. The rule exempts a list of far West Texas counties; Lubbock County is not on it. (The City of Lubbock separately recommends rain and freeze sensors.)
Backflow testing
Testing or repairing a backflow prevention assembly requires a TCEQ Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) license. Your water utility may have its own registration or reporting rules, so check with them as well.
Our sprinkler repair in Lubbock guide walks through common problems and what a repair visit involves.
Tree trimming and tree treatments
Texas does not have a state license for tree trimming, so ask about insurance, experience and whether an ISA Certified Arborist is on the job (ISA is a private credential; verify at isa-arbor.com). Tree spraying or injection for hire requires a TDA pesticide license.
We found no Texas agency program that licenses tree trimmers, and the sources that say so are secondary, so treat it as likely rather than confirmed. Arborist certification from the International Society of Arboriculture is voluntary. For work near power lines, the work is left to the utility or qualified line-clearance crews; call the utility. See tree trimming in Lubbock for more.
Mowing, cleanup and fertilizer
Routine mowing, edging, yard cleanup and fertilizer-only applications have no state license requirement. That does not mean every company is the same, so ask the questions below regardless of the job.
Quick reference: what to ask before you hire
| Job | State license? | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Weed control, pre-emergent, weed-and-feed | Yes, TDA | TDA license number; verify with TDA |
| Grub or insect control | Yes, TDA | TDA license number; verify with TDA |
| Fertilizer only | No | Product and rate; whether it contains any herbicide |
| Sprinkler install, repair, maintenance | Yes, TCEQ (LI) | LI number on the ad or quote; verify with TCEQ |
| Backflow testing | Yes, TCEQ (BPAT) | Tester license number; utility requirements |
| Tree trimming | No state license | Insurance, experience, ISA certification (verify at isa-arbor.com) |
| Tree spraying or injection | Yes, TDA | TDA license number; verify with TDA |
| Mowing, edging, cleanup | No | Written scope, schedule and price |
Other questions worth asking
- Is the quote in writing, with the scope, products and number of visits listed?
- For treatments, which product will be used and when, and what does the label say about kids, pets and watering in?
- For sprinkler work, will they set the controller to your assigned Lubbock watering days? See our Lubbock watering schedule guide.
- Can they show proof of insurance if you ask?
How Lubbock Lawn Care Pros fits in
Lubbock Lawn Care Pros is a free quote service, not a lawn company. We connect Lubbock-area homeowners with independent local lawn care, landscaping, sprinkler and tree companies for free, no-obligation quotes. Lubbock Lawn Care Pros holds no TDA or TCEQ license and performs no services, so please ask each company for its license number and check it yourself before work begins. Compare weed control, sprinkler repair and tree trimming options, check typical costs on our Lubbock lawn care prices page, and request a free quote when you are ready.
This is general information, not legal advice.