There are several types of licenses and certifications required by the State of Florida for individuals to become licensed and certified as pest control operators in order to recommend, apply, and sell pesticides residential and commercial customers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regulates the pest control laws for the State of Florida under Florida Statutes Chapter: 482 and Florida Administrative Code Chapters: 5E-2, 5E-14
Commercial pesticide examinations are given at various times and locations throughout the state. Including County Cooperative Extension Service Offices. Exams for persons wishing to be licensed as a Pest Control Operator. A score of 70% or greater is required to pass an exam.
There are other online and in person training available in Florida from private and public entities like the University of Florida
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Florida Commercial Structural Pest Control Business Requirements
Commercial Structural Pest Control
For structural pest control (pest control provided to homes or other structures), Florida law requires that each pest control business location must:
- Be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS),
- Carry the required insurance coverage ($250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $250,000 per occurrence and $500,000 in the aggregate for property damage, or a combined single limit coverage of $500,000 in the aggregate), and
- Employ full-time a
Florida-certified operator in charge of the pest control operations of the
business location. This operator must be certified in the categories in which
the business operates:
- General Household Pest and Rodent Control,
- Termite and Other Wood-Destroying Organisms Control,
- Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control, and/or
- Fumigation.
How to Apply for a Pest Control Business License
To apply for a Pest Control Business License, submit the following by mail to FDACS:
- A completed Pest Control Business License Application
- A completed Certificate of Insurance
- Completed Employee Identification Card Applications for each employee and the certified operator(s) in charge, and
- All required fees.
Florida Pest Control License Fees
The business license fee is $300, and the fee for each employee identification card is $10.
Private Pest Control Applicator
A private applicator is a licensed applicator who applies restricted use pesticides by ground application for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the applicator or the applicator’s employer.
This license is for owners and employees of farms, ranches, groves, nurseries, gardens, and other establishments that produce agricultural commodities. The license is valid for application of restricted use pesticides for ornamental and turf production (at a nursery, sod farm, etc.), but not for maintenance of ornamentals or turf, such as at a golf course.
The private applicator agricultural pest control category is required for this license type. The aerial category is NOT available to private applicators.
A commercial applicator license may substitute for a private applicator license for certain uses.
Florida Pest Control License Categories
- General Standards (CORE) Exam
- Private Applicator Agricultural Pest Control Exam
Florida Pest Control Category Certification Exams Administered by IFAS
- Aerial Application
- Agricultural Animal Pest Control
- Agricultural Row Crop Pest Control
- Agricultural Tree Crop Pest Control
- Aquatic Pest Control
- Demonstration & Research
- Forest Pest Control
- Natural Areas Weed Management
- Organotin Antifouling Paint Pest Control
- Ornamental & Turf Pest Control
- Private Applicator Agricultural Pest Control
- Raw Agricultural Commodity Fumigation
- Right-Of-Way Pest Control
- Seed Treatment
- Soil & Greenhouse Fumigation
- Wood Treatment
Category Exams Administered by FDACS
- Chlorine Gas Infusion
- Sewer Root Control
- Regulatory Inspection & Sampling
Category Exams Administered by DPI
- Regulatory Pest Control
Forms & Documents
Licensing Forms:
- Pesticide Applicator Certification and Licensing in Florida
- Employee Identification Card Application
- Pest Control Business License Application
- Pest Control Business License Certificate of Insurance Form
- Pest Control Business License Renewal Application
- Pest Control Business Change of Business Name, Address or Ownership
- Wood-Destroying Organisms Affidavit
- Pest Control Customer Contact Center License Application
Miscellaneous Forms:
- Baseline Industry Wood Destroying Organisms Inspection Document
- Continuing Education Attendance Verification Form
- Consumer Consent Form
- Fumigation Notification Form
- Initial Training Verification Form
- Technician Training Verification Form
- Wood-Destroying Organisms Inspection Form
- Instructions for Completing the Wood-Destroying Organisms Inspection Form
Renewals:
Florida Pest Control Study Guide
Suggested Study Material
- Fumigation and Special Fumigation Identification Card
- Termite and Other Wood-Destroying Organisms Control
National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Study Guide
Contact
For questions about certification or to access your records contact: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Plaza Level 10, The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399, by phone at 1-800-HELP-FLA
For more information visit: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Business-Services/Pest-Control/Licensing-and-Certification