Iowa commercial pesticide applicators must show financial responsibility under Iowa Code 206.13 before the Department of Agriculture issues a license. A surety bond is one accepted form. At the $300,000 annual-aggregate amount, ours is $9,000 flat — 3% of the bond amount. One soft credit pull.
















Your applicator license is waiting on proof of financial responsibility. Here's the entire process:
Business details, owner information, effective date. That is the application — the only extra step is a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.
Given the larger amount, underwriting may take a quick look; if anything is needed, you hear from an underwriter within 48 hours. The credit check is a soft pull that never affects your score.
Pay online and receive the executed bond ready to file as evidence of financial responsibility with your commercial applicator license. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the department insists.
$300,000 bond × 3% = $9,000, one-time per term. Fixed amount, fixed price, multi-year if you want it.
Iowa regulates pesticides under Iowa Code chapter 206, and section 206.13 requires a commercial pesticide applicator to furnish the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship with evidence of financial responsibility before a license is issued. That evidence can be a surety bond, a liability insurance policy, or an irrevocable letter of credit.
The required amount is not less than $100,000 for property damage and $100,000 for public liability (each separately), or liability coverage with limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 annual aggregate. This page prices the $300,000 aggregate figure. The coverage must stay at that level for the entire licensed period.
The bond pays what the applicator is legally obligated to pay as damages caused by its pesticide operations — drift, misapplication, and similar harm. The department must get 10 days’ notice before any reduction or cancellation. If the surety pays a claim, the applicator repays the surety.
These are the actual underwriting fields, including a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. Submit once and your bond is typically issued within 1–2 business days.
Start the application →If yours isn't here, the bond team can usually answer within the hour.
$9,000 flat, five-minute application, e-signed bond in 1–2 business days. Free until issued.