What the inspector examines and what the report contains
Under 16 CCR 1993, in a Cornell copy of the regulation, an original report is either complete, covering all visible and accessible parts of the structure, or limited, covering part of it with a diagram and a recommendation for further inspection of the whole. A supplemental report covers areas made accessible after an earlier one, and a reinspection report reviews what a prior report recommended.
Under 16 CCR 1990, also in the Cornell copy, a report separates Section I from Section II. Section I holds items with visible evidence of active infestation or infection, or of conditions that caused or came from it, and Section II holds conditions likely to lead to infestation where no visible evidence was found. Further-inspection items are recommendations to inspect areas that weren't accessible.
What a pest inspection costs in California
Our estimate for a pest inspection in California is $45 to $250 per inspection, and the table adds a separate figure for a termite inspection, listed as often free with treatment. Each comes from one national range adjusted by California's pest control wage ratio of 1.09, and neither is a quote.
No California company price for an inspection is in our count. Ask whether the report is complete or limited, and whether the fee is credited if you hire the company for the work.
| Item | Figure | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated range, not a quote | $45 to $250 per inspection | Built from one national published range, adjusted by the California pest control worker wage ratio (1.09). Five California companies (Sacramento and Fresno) advertise a starting monthly plan price and one prices a one-time treatment, but the units differ company to company, so no company price anchors a plan estimate. One company prints a regular price for a one-time treatment, too few to move that estimate. Basis: no state company sample (no counted California company price for this job), national estimate only. |
| Estimated range for a termite inspection, not a quote | $0 to $310 per termite inspection, often free with treatment | Built from one national published range, adjusted by the California pest control worker wage ratio (1.09). Five California companies (Sacramento and Fresno) advertise a starting monthly plan price and one prices a one-time treatment, but the units differ company to company, so no company price anchors a plan estimate. One company prints a regular price for a one-time treatment, too few to move that estimate. Basis: no state company sample (no counted California company price for this job), national estimate only. |
| Pest control worker wage, California mean | $24.21 an hour | Pay to the worker, BLS May 2025, kept apart from any inspection fee. |
| Board fee per filed inspection or completed job | $5 per activity | The company pays it when it files each activity with the Board. |
| State fee, Field Representative license | $45 to license, $45 to renew | The licensee's own fee to the Board, effective July 1, 2025; it isn't billed to you as a line. |
Estimated range. Built from national published ranges (1 source), adjusted by California's pest control worker wage ratio to the US (1.09, BLS May 2025), with no permit fee added because pest control has no city permit. Not a quote. Five California companies (Sacramento and Fresno) advertise a starting monthly plan price and one prices a one-time treatment, but the units differ company to company, so no company price anchors a plan estimate. One company prints a regular price for a one-time treatment, too few to move that estimate. We have no counted California company price for this job, so the range is our national estimate alone. Full method. Prices as of Oct 23, 2026.
What a California sale requires
The Board's page on wood destroying organism reports says most lending institutions require an inspection for wood destroying pests and organisms before financing a home loan. Ask your lender which report it wants, and whether a limited one will do.
Looking up an address
The Board lets consumers search any California address in its database to see whether a wood destroying organism inspection was filed in the last two years, and they may request copies of reports in writing by mail, fax or email. The Board lists a Wood Destroying Organism Unit line at (916) 561-8750.
Who does the inspecting, and what happens next
Under B&P 8516(b) a registered company must report the inspected address to the Board within 10 business days of starting the inspection and pay a filing fee, and failing to report is grounds for discipline and a fine of up to $2,500. The written report goes to the requester and the owner within 10 business days of the start and before any work starts. The company keeps reports, field notes and activity forms for three years.
On request, B&P 8519 has the company certify that no evidence of active infestation or infection was found in the visible and accessible areas, or, after completed recommendations, that the structure is now free of such evidence in those areas.
Inspections: what can wait
- If your closing date is close and the lender asked for a report, tell the lender and the inspector today.
- A routine check on a house you have owned for years with no signs.
Before the inspection
- Ask your lender whether it wants a report before it funds the loan.
- Ask whether the report will be complete or limited.
- Clear access to the attic, the subarea and the garage so fewer areas are listed as inaccessible.
- Ask when the written report arrives; the deadline is 10 business days.
- Ask whether the company will certify under B&P 8519 if work is done.
Registration and branch rules for inspections
B&P 8516(b) requires a Branch 3 field representative or operator employed by a registered company to inspect before the company begins work or issues a document on the presence or absence of wood destroying pests. For household pests, B&P 8514(a) requires the inspection before the company starts work or gives an opinion. The Department of Consumer Affairs license search shows whether the company is registered.
Ask for the company's state pesticide business license number and the applicator's name, and look both up with your state's pesticide regulator before any work starts.
Questions people ask
Is a termite inspection required by law when you sell in California?
The Board says most lenders require one before financing; ask your lender what this sale requires. The Board says most lenders require an inspection for wood destroying pests and organisms before financing a home loan, so ask yours.
What do Section I and Section II mean in a termite report?
Section I lists visible evidence of active infestation or infection, or conditions that resulted in or from it; Section II lists conditions likely to lead to one. Section II items have no visible evidence yet. Further-inspection items are areas the inspector couldn't reach.
What is the difference between a complete and a limited report?
A complete report covers all visible and accessible parts of the structure; a limited one covers part, with a diagram and a recommendation for further inspection. The wording comes from 16 CCR 1993 in a Cornell copy of the regulation.
Can I check whether a California house had a pest inspection?
Yes: search the address in the Board's database for filings in the last two years. You can also request copies of reports from the Board in writing.
What will a California pest inspection cost me?
The model's estimate is $45 to $250 per inspection, and it isn't a quote. The termite inspection has its own estimate in the table. No California company price for either is in our count.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Pest Control Workers (SOC 37-2021), California, mean hourly wage Read Oct 23, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Pest Control Workers (SOC 37-2021), United States, mean hourly wage Read Oct 23, 2026.
- PestControlMatch: how we estimate costs, California (editorial policy) Read Oct 23, 2026.
- SPCB fee advisory; WDO Reporting System Read Oct 20, 2026.
- B&P 8516 Read Oct 20, 2026.
- 16 CCR 1993 via Cornell LII Read Oct 20, 2026.
- 16 CCR 1990 via Cornell LII Read Oct 20, 2026.
- SPCB: WDO property search; How do I search for termite inspection information Read Oct 20, 2026.
- B&P 8519 Read Oct 20, 2026.
- B&P 8514 Read Oct 20, 2026.
- SPCB: Search for a licence (DCA License Search); search.dca.ca.gov tested Read Oct 20, 2026.