1. (1) Applications for examination must be made within one year after the applicant’s employee identification card expiration date. To apply for examination or reexamination for a pest control operator’s certificate and special identification card, the applicant shall complete the process online at https://www.aeslicensing.fdacs.gov, or submit the following forms to 3125 Conner Boulevard, L8, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650. All materials incorporated by reference in this rule can be requested from the Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement at 3125 Conner Boulevard, L8, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650.

   1. (a) Pest Control Examination Application, FDACS-13607, Rev. 03/25, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available online at HYPERLINK "https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17959"https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17959.
   2. (b) Employment Service, FDACS-13627, Rev. 10/15, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available online at HYPERLINK "https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07306" https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07306.
   3. (c) Documented Pesticide Application for Certification Exam Qualification, FDACS-13653, Rev. 10/15, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available online at HYPERLINK "https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07307" https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07307.
2. (2) An applicant having three years documented service employment with a licensee who performs pest control in all categories, as defined in Section 482.021(3), F.S, is qualified for examination in all categories, provided the applicant has a minimum of nine (9) months service employment in each category for which he makes application for examination.
3. (3) An applicant having three years service employment with a licensee who performs pest control in less than all categories is qualified for the examination in those categories only, unless an applicant, already certified, qualifies for examination in an additional category after having nine (9) months service employment with a licensee who performs pest control in such additional category.
4. (4) A department identification card held for three years as a service employee will constitute proof of experience with respect to the time requirement in subsection (2) or (3). A maximum of two (2) years of documented out-of-state experience will be credited on an equivalent basis. The department will accept the following documents as proof of out-of-state experience: payroll records; notarized letters of experience; and certifications regulating pest control issued by an out-of-state agency. Agricultural pesticide applicator licenses/licensing do not apply toward the credit or equivalent basis.
5. (5) Any applicant for examination whose license, identification card, pest control operator’s certificate or special identification card has been denied (issuance stopped), suspended, revoked or is on probation by the department, shall not be permitted to take any examination while under such denial, suspension, revocation or probation.

6. (6) Applicants may be examined for certification in one or more of the following categories of pest control:

   1. (a) Fumigation;
   2. (b) General household pest control, which includes rodent control;
   3. (c) Termite or other wood-infesting organism control;
   4. (d) Lawn and ornamental pest control.

7. (7) Prior to application for examination:

   1. (a) An applicant for examination for Termite/Wood Destroying Organism Pest Control, Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control, or General Household Pest Control certification must:

      1. Participate in a minimum of 45 jobs in Florida under the supervision of a certified operator in each category that the applicant seeks certification.

      2. Document all 45 jobs on the Documented Pesticide Application for Certification Exam Qualification, (FDACS-13653, Rev. 10/15), and the supervising certified operator shall certify the documented jobs were participated in by the applicant under their supervision and that the applicant has demonstrated the requisite knowledge to perform and supervise such work.

   2. (b) An applicant for the Fumigation certification and a Special Identification Card must:

      1. Participate in a minimum of 15 jobs in Florida under the supervision of a certified operator prior to application for examination.

      2. Document their participation in 15 general fumigations (as defined by subsection 5E-14.102(4), F.A.C.), on the Documented Pesticide Application for Certification Exam Qualification, (FDACS-13653, Rev.10/15), as adopted in paragraph 5E-14.117(1)(c), F.A.C., and the supervising certified operator shall certify that the documented jobs were participated in by the applicant under their supervision and that the applicant has demonstrated the requisite knowledge to perform and/or supervise such work.

      3. Applicants for special identification card examination are not required to be high school graduates.

   3. (c) For purposes of this section, a “job” shall mean the active participation in all aspects of a complete individual pesticide application or inspection, specific to a target pest at a designated location and address, in the pest control category for which the applicant has applied for examination. If seeking to be examined in the Termite and Other Wood Destroying Organism Pest Control Category, an applicant shall not submit more than 15 wood-destroying organism inspections as described in paragraph 5E-14.142(5)(c), F.A.C., as part of the 45 job requirement.

8. (8) An applicant for limited certification in Commercial Landscape Maintenance shall complete the initial exam application or renewal process online at https://www.aeslicensing.fdacs.gov or submit the following by mail to the address as instructed on the form:

   1. (a) For initial applicants:

      1. The initial examination fee of $150.

      2. Application for Limited Certification, FDACS-16043, Rev. 03/25, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available online at HYPERLINK "https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17960"https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17960.

      3. Proof of insurance using the Certificate of Insurance, FDACS-13688, Rev. 09/16, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available online at HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07309" http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07309.

   2. (b) For renewal applicants:

      1. The annual recertification fee of $75.

      2. Renewal Application Limited Certification, FDACS-16044, Rev. 03/25, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available online at HYPERLINK "https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17961"https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17961.

      3. Documentation of obtaining 2 hours of General Standards (Core) approved continuing education and 2 hours of approved continuing education in the appropriate certificate category in accordance with paragraph 5E-14.132(4)(g), F.A.C.; and,

      4. Proof of insurance using form, Certificate of Insurance, FDACS-13688, Rev. 09/16, as referenced in subparagraph 5E-14.117(8)(a)3., F.A.C.

9. (9) An applicant who fails to pass one or more category or special identification card examinations may reapply for examination upon filing the prescribed application accompanied by a fee of $300 for each category examination or $200 for each special identification card examination.

10. (10) An applicant for limited certification for governmental pesticide applicators or private applicators shall complete the initial application for examination on line at https://www.aeslicensing.fdacs.gov or submit the following by mail to the address as instructed on the form.

    1. (a) For initial applicants:

       1. The examination fee is $150.

       2. Application for Limited Certification, FDACS-16043, Rev. 03/25, which is hereby incorporated by reference and available online at HYPERLINK "https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17960"https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17960; and,

    2. (b) For renewal applicants:

       1. The renewal fee for the limited government/private certificate of $25.00.

       2. Applicants can renew on line at https://www.aeslicensing.fdacs.gov, or submit a Renewal Application Limited Certification FDACS- 16044, Rev. 03/25; and,

       3. Proof of having obtained 2 hours of General Standards (Core) approved continuing education and 2 hours of approved continuing education in the appropriate certificate category in accordance with paragraph 5E-14.132(4)(g), F.A.C.

11. (11) Any person applying commercial fertilizer to an urban landscape must have a limited certification for urban landscape commercial fertilizer as provided herein. Applicants shall complete the initial application or renewal process online at https://www.aeslicensing.fdacs.gov or submit the following by mail to the address as instructed on the form:

    1. (a) For initial applicants:

       1. The application fee of $25.00,

       2. A copy of the training certificate issued pursuant to Section 403.9338, F.S.,

       3. Application for Limited Certification, FDACS-16043, Rev. 03/25; and,

    2. (b) For renewal applicants:

       1. The renewal fee of $25.00,

       2. Renewal Application Limited Certification, FDACS 16044, Rev. 03/25; and,

       3. Proof of having obtained four (4) classroom hours of acceptable continuing education training in accordance with paragraph 5E-14.132(4)(g), F.A.C. At least two (2) hours of this training must address fertilizer best-management practices.

12. (12) An applicant for limited certification for commercial wildlife management shall complete the initial application for examination or renewal process online at https://www.aeslicensing.fdacs.gov or submit the following by mail to the address as instructed on the form:

    1. (a) For Initial applicants:

       1. The initial examination fee of $150,

       2. Application for Limited Certification, FDACS-16043, Rev. 03/25; and,

       3. Proof of insurance using the Certificate of Insurance, FDACS-13688, Rev. 09/16, as referenced in subparagraph 5E-14.117(8)(a)3., F.A.C.

    2. (b) For renewal applicants:

       1. The annual recertification fee of $75.00,

       2. Renewal Application Limited Certification, FDACS-16044, Rev. 03/25,

       3. Proof of having obtained four (4) classroom hours of acceptable continuing education training in accordance with paragraph 5E-14.132(4)(g), F.A.C.; and,

       4. Proof of insurance, using the Certificate of Insurance, (FDACS-13688, Rev. 09/16), as referenced in subparagraph 5E-14.117(8)(a)3., F.A.C.

13. (13) All applicants for all certifications and identification cards must be 18 years of age or older.

Rulemaking Authority 482.051, 482.151, 482.1562, 570.07(23) FS. Law Implemented 112.011(1), 482.111, 482.132, 482.141, 482.151, 482.152, 482.155, 482.156, 482.1562, 482.157 FS. History–New 1-1-77, Amended 6-27-79, 6-22-83, 10-25-90, Formerly 10D-55.117, Amended 8-11-93, 7-5-95, 5-28-98, 4-29-02, 7-11-07, 2-24-09, 5-12-10, 5-20-12, 1-9-17, 8-8-21, 10-24-23, 4-29-25.