Pest Control

Fla. Stat. § 482.071 — Licenses

The department may deny the issuance of a pest control business license to any applicant, or refuse to renew the license of any licensee, if the department finds that the applicant or licensee or any of its directors, officers, owners, or general partners are or were directors, officers, owners, or general partners of a pest control business which has gone out of business or sold the business to another party within 5 years immediately preceding the date of application or renewal and failed to reimburse the prorated value of its customers’ remaining contract periods or failed to provide for another licensed pest control operator to assume its existing contract responsibility.

(3)

A licensee shall display its current license at each of its business locations. Each business location of a licensee must be licensed.

(4)

A licensee may not operate a pest control business without carrying the required insurance coverage. Each person making application for a pest control business license or renewal thereof must furnish to the department a certificate of insurance that meets the requirements for minimum financial responsibility for bodily injury and property damage consisting of:

(a)

Bodily injury: $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence; and property damage: $250,000 per occurrence and $500,000 in the aggregate; or

(b)

Combined single-limit coverage: $500,000 in the aggregate.

(5)

Fla. Stat. § 482.071 — Licenses

482.071

Licenses.

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(1)

The department may issue licenses to qualified businesses to engage in the business of pest control in this state. It is unlawful for any person to operate a pest control business that is not licensed by the department.

(2)(a)

Before entering business or upon transfer of business ownership, and also annually thereafter, on or before an anniversary date set by the department for each licensed business location, each person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other business entity engaged in pest control must apply to the department for a license, or a renewal thereof, for each of its business locations. Applications must be made on forms prescribed and furnished by the department.

(b)

The department shall establish a fee for the issuance of a license, which fee may not be more than $300 or less than $75, and a fee for the renewal of a license, which fee may not be more than $300 or less than $75; however, until rules setting these fees are adopted by the department, the issuance fee and renewal fee shall each be $75. After a grace period not exceeding 30 calendar days following the anniversary renewal date, the department shall assess a late renewal charge of $50, which must be paid in addition to the renewal fee. The aggregate of the fees assessed pursuant to this paragraph may not exceed 105 percent of the direct costs for administering this chapter.

(c)

Fla. Stat. § 482.111 — Pest control operator’s certificate

482.111

Pest control operator’s certificate.

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(1)

The department shall issue a pest control operator’s certificate to each individual who qualifies under this chapter. Before issuance of an original certificate, an individual must complete an application for examination, pay the examination fee required under s. 482.141, and pass the examination. Before engaging in pest control work, each certified operator must be certified as provided in this section.

(2)(a)

The department shall issue pest control operator’s certificates in several categories, including fumigation, general household pest control, lawn and ornamental pest control, and termites and other wood-destroying organisms pest control.

(b)

The specific scope of work (or job scope) for individuals in each category established under paragraph (a) must be pursuant to the definitions set forth in this chapter. Individuals certified in a particular category, or individuals operating pursuant to the authority of a certified individual, may not perform operations outside that category’s job scope if such operations are within the job scope of another category, unless the individual is certified in that category or unless otherwise provided in this chapter.

(3)

Fla. Stat. § 482.111 — Pest control operator’s certificate

A person may not be in charge of the performance of pest control activities of any category of a licensee unless she or he is certified for that category.

(c)

A certified operator may not be in charge of the performance of pest control activities at more than one business location for a licensee; however, the department shall prescribe by rule that, during the temporary absence of the certified operator currently registered in charge of a licensed business location, the licensee may, for a period not exceeding 30 days, designate another certified operator, certified in the same categories as the certified operator in charge, to be in charge of and responsible for performing those duties requiring the physical presence of a certified operator in charge. In any such case, the certified operator designated temporarily in charge and the licensee are jointly responsible for the pest control work performed and for compliance with other provisions of this chapter and of the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(7)

The fee for the renewal of a certificate shall be set by the department but may not be more than $150 or less than $75; however, until rules setting these fees are adopted by the department, the issuance fee and the renewal fee shall each be $75.

(8)

A pest control operator’s certificate is not transferable to another person.

(9)

Fla. Stat. § 482.132 — Qualifications for examination and certification

482.132

Qualifications for examination and certification.

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(1)

The department may award a pest control operator’s certificate to an individual who has passed the examinations prescribed by the department and who submits to the department proof that she or he is not under the disability of minority and is qualified to be a certified operator with regard to the safety of persons and property, and is otherwise qualified under the provisions of this chapter and the rules made pursuant to this chapter.

(2)

Each applicant for examination for a pest control operator’s certificate must possess the minimum qualifications specified in one of the following paragraphs:

(a)

Three years’ employment as a service employee of a licensee that performs pest control in the category or categories in which the applicant seeks certification, 1 year of which employment must have been completed in this state during the year immediately preceding application for examination.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 482.072 — Pest control customer contact centers

As created by s. 9, ch. 2011-206. For a description of multiple acts in the same session affecting a statutory provision, see preface to the Florida Statutes , “Statutory Construction.” Section 482.072 was also created by s. 3, ch. 2011-192; the conflict of language in paragraph (3)(b) was resolved through reenactment by s. 84, ch. 2025-22. As created by s. 3, ch. 2011-192, subsections (1) and (2) and paragraph (3)(a) read:

(1) The department may issue a license to operate a customer contact center from which to solicit pest control business or provide services to customers for one or more business locations licensed under s. 482.071. A person may not operate a customer contact center for a pest control business if the customer contact center is not licensed by the department.

(2)(a) Before operating a customer contact center, and biennially thereafter, on or before a renewal date set by the department, a pest control business must apply to the department for a license or license renewal for each customer contact center location it operates. An application must be submitted in the format prescribed by the department.

Fla. Stat. § 482.111 — Pest control operator’s certificate

In order to renew a certificate, the certificateholder must complete 2 hours of approved continuing education on legislation, safety, pesticide labeling, and integrated pest management and 2 hours of approved continuing education in each category of her or his certificate or must pass an examination that the department shall provide in person and remotely through a third-party vendor. The third-party vendor may collect and retain a convenience fee. The department may not renew a certificate if the continuing education or examination requirement is not met.

(a)

Courses or programs, to be considered for credit, must include one or more of the following topics:

1.

The law and rules of this state pertaining to pest control.

2.

Precautions necessary to safeguard life, health, and property in the conducting of pest control and the application of pesticides.

3.

Pests, their habits, recognition of the damage they cause, and identification of them by accepted common name.

4.

Current accepted industry practices in the conducting of fumigation, termites and other wood-destroying organisms pest control, lawn and ornamental pest control, and household pest control.

5.

How to read labels, a review of current state and federal laws on labeling, and a review of changes in or additions to labels used in pest control.

6.

Integrated pest management.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 205.1967 — Prerequisite for issuance of pest control business tax receipt

205.1967

Prerequisite for issuance of pest control business tax receipt.

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A municipality or county may not issue a business tax receipt to any pest control business regulated under chapter 482 unless a current license has been procured from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for each of its business locations in that municipality or county. Upon presentation of the requisite licenses from the department and the required fee, a business tax receipt shall be issued by the municipality or county in which application is made.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 59-454; s. 1, ch. 65-295; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 375, ch. 77-147; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 14, 15, ch. 82-229; ss. 31, 59, ch. 92-203; s. 27, ch. 2006-152.

Note.

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Former s. 482.081.

Fla. Stat. § 482.071 — Licenses

A license under this section is a prerequisite for the issuance of a local occupational license to engage in pest control, as provided in s. 205.1967.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 59-454; s. 1, ch. 65-295; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 74-74; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 374, ch. 77-147; s. 1, ch. 77-457; s. 4, ch. 78-292; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 3, 14, 15, ch. 82-229; s. 5, ch. 89-180; ss. 30, 59, ch. 92-203; s. 3, ch. 94-194; s. 2, ch. 2011-192; s. 8, ch. 2011-206.

Fla. Stat. § 482.072 — Pest control customer contact centers

(f) The department may deny a license or refuse to renew a license if the applicant or licensee, or one or more of the applicant’s or licensee’s directors, officers, owners, or general partners, are or have been directors, officers, owners, or general partners of a pest control business that meets the conditions in s. 482.071(2)(g).

(g) Sections 482.091 and 482.152 do not apply to a person who solicits pest control services or provides customer service in a licensed customer contact center unless the person performs the pest control work as defined in s. 482.021(22)(a)-(d), executes a pest control contract, or accepts remuneration for such work.

(h) Section 482.071(2)(e) does not apply to a license issued under this section.

* * * * *

(a) The department shall adopt rules establishing requirements and procedures for recordkeeping and monitoring customer contact center operations to ensure compliance with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.

Fla. Stat. § 482.072 — Pest control customer contact centers

482.072

Pest control customer contact centers.

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1

(1)

The department may issue a license to a qualified business to operate a customer contact center, to solicit pest control business, or to provide services to customers for one or more business locations licensed under s. 482.071. A person may not operate a customer contact center for a pest control business that is not licensed by the department.

1

(2)(a)

Before operating a customer contact center, and biennially thereafter, on or before an anniversary date set by the department for a licensed customer contact center location, the pest control business must apply to the department for a license under this chapter, or a renewal thereof, for each customer contact center location. An application must be submitted in the format prescribed by the department.

(b)

The department shall establish a fee of at least $600, but not more than $1,000, for the issuance of a customer contact center license and a fee of at least $600, but not more than $1,000, for renewal of a customer contact center license. However, until rules for renewal fees are adopted, the initial licensing fee and renewal fee are each $600. The department shall establish a grace period, not to exceed 30 calendar days after the license’s anniversary renewal date, and shall assess a late fee of $150, in addition to the renewal fee, for a license that is renewed after the grace period.

(c)

Fla. Stat. § 487.048 — Dealer’s license; records

487.048

Dealer’s license; records.

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(1)

Each person holding or offering for sale, selling, or distributing restricted-use pesticides must obtain a dealer’s license from the department. Application for the license shall be filed with the department by using a form prescribed by the department or by using the department’s website. The license must be obtained before entering into business or transferring ownership of a business. The department may require examination or other proof of competency of individuals to whom licenses are issued or of individuals employed by persons to whom licenses are issued. Demonstration of continued competency may be required for license renewal, as set by rule. The license shall be renewed annually as provided by rule. An annual license fee not exceeding $250 shall be established by rule. However, a user of a restricted-use pesticide may distribute unopened containers of a properly labeled pesticide to another user who is legally entitled to use that restricted-use pesticide without obtaining a pesticide dealer license. The exclusive purpose of distribution of the restricted-use pesticide is to keep it from becoming a hazardous waste as defined in s. 403.703.

(2)

A record of each sale of a restricted-use pesticide shall be maintained by the licensed dealer for a period of 2 years and shall be made available to the department upon request. The content of the record shall be established by department rule.

History.

Fla. Stat. § 487.047 — Nonresident license; reciprocal agreement; authorized purchase

Restricted-use pesticides may be purchased by a person who holds a valid applicator’s license or who holds a valid purchase authorization card issued by the department or by a licensee under chapter 388 or chapter 482. A nonlicensed person may apply restricted-use pesticides under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator. An applicator’s license shall be issued by the department pursuant to this part.

History.

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ss. 13, 37, ch. 92-115; s. 11, ch. 94-233; s. 17, ch. 2000-154; s. 30, ch. 2004-64; s. 20, ch. 2014-150.

Fla. Stat. § 482.0815 — Permit to perform preventive termite treatment services for new construction only

The department may not issue a permit or renew the permit to perform preventive termite treatments if the applicant or licensee or any of its directors, officers, owners, or general partners are or were directors, officers, owners, or general partners of a pest control business that went out of business or sold the business within 5 years immediately preceding the date of application or renewal and failed to reimburse the prorated renewal fee of any customer’s remaining wood-destroying-organism contract periods or failed to provide for another licensed pest control operator to assume its existing wood-destroying-organism contract responsibility.

(8)

A licensee must conspicuously display its current permit at all business locations, each of which must have a separate permit.

(9)

A licensee holding a permit must maintain accurate records of all pesticides purchased, obtained, or available for its use; the total amount of the area treated using soil applied termiticides; and the total number of sites treated using this and any other method of treatment. These records must be made available to the department upon request. The amount of pesticides purchased, obtained, or otherwise available must at least equal the amount required by the pesticide label to treat the area or number of sites treated.

(10)

The department shall suspend the license of any licensee who performs preventive termite treatments for new construction while its permit is suspended or revoked.

Fla. Stat. § 482.132 — Qualifications for examination and certification

A 2-year degree in general pest control technology or the equivalent from a college or university, with advanced training of 20 or more semester hours or 30 or more quarter hours of credit in entomology, plus 1 year of employment as a service employee of a licensee that performs pest control in any category or categories. Such an applicant is qualified for all examinations.

(e)

Twenty-four semester hours or 36 quarter hours of courses in entomology, pest control technology, and related subjects, plus 1 year of employment as a service employee of a licensee that performs pest control in the category of general household pest, termite, and fumigation. Such an applicant is qualified only for examination in the categories of general household pest control, termite and other wood-destroying organisms pest control, and fumigation.

(f)

Twenty-four semester hours or 36 quarter hours of courses in entomology, pest control technology, agronomy, botany, horticulture, and related subjects, plus 1 year of employment as a service employee of a licensee that performs pest control in the category of lawn and ornamental pest control. Such an applicant is qualified only for examination in the category of lawn and ornamental pest control.

(g)

Fla. Stat. § 482.1821 — Closing pest control business without providing for contracts and liabilities

482.1821

Closing pest control business without providing for contracts and liabilities.

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A licensee may not close its pest control business and open up a new pest control business under a different name without providing for meeting or satisfying its outstanding pest control contracts and liabilities. However, the department may waive this requirement if the licensee has filed for bankruptcy and reached agreement with its creditors on the terms for disposing of existing debts and obligations.

History.

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s. 46, ch. 92-203; s. 40, ch. 95-144.

Fla. Stat. § 487.046 — Application; licensure

487.046

Application; licensure.

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(1)

Application for license shall be filed with the department by using a form prescribed by the department or by using the department’s website. Each application shall contain information regarding the applicant’s qualifications, proposed operations, and license classification or subclassifications, as prescribed by rule.

(2)

If the department finds the applicant qualified in the classification for which the applicant has applied, and if the applicant applying for a license to engage in aerial application of pesticides has met all of the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation of this state to operate the equipment described in the application and has shown proof of liability insurance or posted a surety bond in an amount to be set forth by rule of the department, the department shall issue a certified applicator’s license, limited to the classifications for which the applicant is qualified. The license shall expire as required by rules promulgated under this part, unless it has been revoked or suspended by the department prior to expiration, for cause as provided in this part. The license or authorization card issued by the department verifying licensure shall be kept on the person of the licensee while performing work as a licensed applicator.

History.

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Fla. Stat. § 626.321 — Limited licenses and registration

— License for insurance covering crops subject to unfavorable weather conditions, fire or lightning, flood, hail, insect infestation, disease, or other yield-reducing conditions or perils which is provided by the private insurance market, or which is subsidized by the Federal Group Insurance Corporation including multiperil crop insurance. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the limited license may be issued to a bona fide salaried employee of an association chartered under the Farm Credit Act of 1971, 12 U.S.C. ss. 2001 et seq. The agent must be appointed by, and his or her limited license requested by, a licensed general lines agent. All business transacted by the agent must be on behalf of, in the name of, and countersigned by the agent by whom he or she is appointed. Sections 626.561 and 626.748, relating to records, apply to all business written pursuant to this section. The licensee may be appointed by and licensed for only one general lines agent or agency.

(g)

In-transit and storage personal property insurance.

Fla. Stat. § 482.132 — Qualifications for examination and certification

Three years’ full-time employment as a service employee of the United States Department of Defense, who has been certified to perform pest control in the category or categories in which the applicant seeks certification, 1 year of which employment must have been completed in this state during the year immediately preceding application for examination. Additionally, the application for certification must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services within 12 months after the date of termination of employment from the Department of Defense.

(3)

In addition, each applicant must have knowledge of practical and scientific facts of pest control and be a graduate of an accredited high school or submit to the department satisfactory evidence of equivalent education.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 59-454; s. 1, ch. 63-48; ss. 1, 2, ch. 65-295; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-116; ss. 378, 379, ch. 77-147; s. 1, ch. 77-457; s. 8, ch. 78-292; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 6, 14, 15, ch. 82-229; s. 2, ch. 85-335; s. 9, ch. 89-180; ss. 36, 59, ch. 92-203; s. 4, ch. 94-194; s. 431, ch. 97-103; s. 12, ch. 2000-308; s. 5, ch. 2001-280.

Note.

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Subsections (2) and (3) former s. 482.133.

Fla. Stat. § 487.021 — Definitions

“Public applicator” means an individual who has reached the age of majority and is licensed by the department to use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides as an employee of a state agency, municipal corporation, or other governmental agency.

(56)

“Product specific applicator” means an individual who has reached the age of majority and is licensed by the department to use or supervise the use of a particular restricted-use pesticide product that is identified on the license by the United States Environmental Protection Agency registration number, as well as any Florida special local need registration number and any specific identifying information as deemed appropriate for nonfederally registered products exempt under s. 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, provided that the restricted-use pesticide product is used for the purpose of producing agricultural commodities on property owned or rented by the licensee or the licensee’s employer, or is applied on the property of another person without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities.

(57)

“Registrant” means the person registering any pesticide pursuant to the provisions of this part.

(58)