Florida beekeepers are required by law to register with FDACS.
Each beekeeper having honey bee colonies in Florida is required by law to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
FDACS registers and inspects honey bee colonies to certify them as:
The first step is to create a login for the online portal to submit a request for registration or contact your local apiary inspector. Once a request for registration has been submitted, an inspector will conduct an inspection to complete the registration process.
Registration fees are based on the total number of colonies operated by the registrant:
To obtain a copy of a certificate of registration, log into the portal or contact FDACS at 1-888-397-1517.
Certificates must be renewed annually on or prior to the anniversary date of the certificate. Annual registration fees will be invoiced 30 days prior to expiration.
All honey bee hives must be permanently imprinted with the beekeeper's registration number issued by FDACS. The registration number must be written on the upper left-hand corner of the hive in letters at least ½ inch in height.
Each apiary shall be inspected by FDACS at such intervals as the agency deems best for the detection of honey bee pests and unwanted types of honey bees.
Each apiary site must be maintained in such a manner as to allow reasonable access for inspection.
Fees for special inspection services may vary depending on the service requested. For further information, contact your local apiary inspector.
All apiaries maintained on properties not classified as agricultural must follow best management requirements for maintaining European honey bee colonies on non-agricultural lands, as described in the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement [ Adobe PDF Document ]. All hives must have movable frames.
A certificate is required:
All hives found infested with American foulbrood disease will be destroyed by burning. Other hives in the bee yard will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days. Compensation will be paid at half the estimated equipment value, not to exceed $30 for the first 10 hives, after which payment will be discounted. If the disease rate exceeds 50% of the total colony inventory, payment will be discounted 50 percent.
Hives infested with other related honey bee pests and any unwanted types of honey bees shall be quarantined and treated as prescribed by FDACS. No compensation will be awarded for such action.
Violation of the provisions of Chapter 586, Florida Statutes, is, for the first offense, a first-degree misdemeanor, and, for subsequent offenses, a third-degree felony. FDACS may, after notice and hearing, impose a fine not exceeding $5,000 for the violation of any of the provisions of this law or rules thereunder.
