1. Pesticide License and Certification Requirements
Structural Pest Control
Chapter 482, F.S.

3. Chapter 482 (FS) – Structural Pest Control Act
FDACS
Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control (BEPC)
Regulates Structural Pest Control – for hire services at large to the public or applications that could potentially expose the public to pesticide applications

4. Chapter 482 – Structural Pest Control Licenses and Certifications
Pest Control Business License
A Business license ($300/yr) is needed to perform commercial pest control services for hire
A license will not be issued unless one employee is a FL PCO in charge
Certificates
Pest Control Operator (PCO) Certificate
Special Identification Cardholder (SPID)

5. Chapter 482 – Structural Pest Control Licenses and Certifications
Pest Control Operator (PCO) Certification Categories
General Household Pest Control
Termite & Wood Destroying Organisms
Lawn & Ornamental
Fumigation
BEPC handles all applications, examinations, grading and issuance

6. Chapter 482 – Structural Pest Control Licenses and Certifications
PCO Exam Qualifications
3 years employment as a service employee of a Florida licensed pest control business, OR
A degree in Entomology (or other qualifying major) PLUS 1 year experience with a Florida licensed business, as above
Completion/documentation of 45 service jobs
Pass the state exam with a score of at least 75%

7. Chapter 482 – Structural Pest Control Licenses and Certifications
Certified Operator in Charge (COIC)
Is able to supervise many employees
Employees (ID Cardholders) must carry their ID Cards while conducting pest control
Must provide training for his employees (ID Cardholders)
Required to properly equip his ID Cardholders – PPE, product, equipment

8. Chapter 482 – Structural Pest Control Licenses and Certifications
Special Identification Card for Fumigation (SPID)
Certified individuals who conduct fumigations
Act only under the direct supervision of the Certified Operator In Charge (COIC) – can not operate on their own

9. Chapter 482 – Structural Pest Control Licenses and Certifications
Limited Certifications
Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Certificate (LCLM)
Limited Private/Gov’t Certificate
Lawn and Ornamental (LL&O)
Limited Structural (LS)
Limited Urban Fertilizer Certificate (LF)
Some training and all examinations administered by IFAS – applications, grading and issuance handled by BEPC

10. Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Individual certification required (NOT company)
Must complete 6 hours of classroom training and pass the exam
Limited to landscape and ornamental plantings, only (NO turf)
Only “CAUTION” labeled pesticides allowed and must use hand held application equipment – NO POWER EQUIPMENT

11. Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Cannot operate a pest control business or advertize pest control
Cannot supervise other applicators
Cannot use weed-n-feed or fertilizers with pesticides incorporated in TURF/LAWN areas

12. Limited Private/Gov’t Lawn & Ornamental
Individual certification
Must pass an exam
No other qualifications required
Limited to government and private property employees
Allowed to make any pesticide applications to turf and ornamental areas of employer properties, only (NO golf courses)

13. Limited Private/Gov’t Structural
Individual certification
Must pass an exam
No other qualifications required
Limited to government and private property employees
Allowed to make any pesticide applications in, on, or under the buildings of employer’s properties only

14. Limited Private/Gov’t
Neither certification (LL&O or LS) allows for the operation of a pest control business license.
Certification is NOT required if over the counter, ready to use pesticides are utilized. (HOWEVER, if the person is making routine applications as part of their job description, they SHOULD have limited certification.)

15. Recertification Requirements
Ch. 482-
PCO/SPID – Annually 4 CEUs (2 Core + 2 category)
LCLM – Annually - 4 CEUs (any combination)
Ltd Private/Gov’t – L&O/Structural – Renews every 4 years – 4 CEUs (any combination)
Non-certified employee cardholder – Annually - 2 CEUs (any combination)
Ltd Fertilizer – Renews every 4 years – 4 CEUs (2 Core + 2 category)

16. Contact FDACS Bureau of Entomology & Pest Control
1203 Governors Square Blvd. (Suite 300)
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Telephone: (850)

17. Thanks for your attention! Any questions?