Required Certification Exams

To apply for a pesticide applicator license in Florida, you must first pass the required certification exams. See a list of license categories, exams and study materials [ 131.3 kB ] .

Exam Sites

Most pesticide applicator certification exams are administered by Everblue, and some are administered by FDACS. 

Exams Administered by Everblue

Everblue administers FDACS exams remotely or in person. To find an Everblue in-person location near you, see the map of Everblue Testing Sites. 

Exams Administered by FDACS

The following exams are administered by FDACS on an as-needed basis:

• Chlorine Gas Infusion Exam
• Regulatory Inspection and Sampling Exam
• Sewer Root Control Exam
• Regulatory Pest Control Exam (Government Employees Only/Division of Plant Industry)

To make arrangements for these exams, call (850) 617-7870. 

How to Apply for a License

After you have passed your exams, FDACS will send you the required documentation to apply for your license.

License Fees

For new licenses or renewals:

Expiration Dates

Restricted use pesticide licenses are valid for four years and expire at the end of the month four years from issue date.

License Renewal

Approximately 60 days before a license expires, a renewal notice is sent to the applicator. To update your contact information, please visit our Licensing Portal.

To renew a pesticide applicator license, applicators must first become recertified by:

• Retaking the certification exams or
• Accumulating Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

If desired, you may renew some categories by reexamination and other categories with CEUs. The licensee should select the method of renewal and return the renewal form along with the required license fee and copies of the CEU attendance forms if renewing by CEUs. If renewing by reexamination, the applicator should take the exams before returning the renewal notice.

Applicator licenses may be renewed for up to one year after the expiration date. For renewal by reexamination, the exams must be passed within 12 months of the license expiration date (from 12 months before license expiration until 12 months after license expiration), giving a two-year period to pass the exams. All renewal paperwork and the license renewal fee must be received by FDACS and the license must be reissued no later than one year after the license expiration date.

Expired Licenses

If a license is not renewed before it expires, no restricted-use pesticides may be purchased or applied until the license is renewed.

If a license is renewed after the expiration date, the applicator must submit a signed and notarized affidavit stating that they have not purchased or applied any restricted-use pesticides since the license has expired.

If a license is renewed more than 60 days after it expires, a $50 late fee is required in addition to the affidavit. Affidavit forms are mailed out with the renewal notices.

Licenses that have been expired for more than one year cannot be renewed. However, a new license can be obtained at any time by taking the certification exams again.

Out-of-State Requirements

Applicators who are not Florida residents must file a Designation of Registered Agent [ 77 kB ] form with the Florida Department of State before a Florida pesticide applicator license will be issued.

Reciprocal Certification

Reciprocal agreements waive the requirement for applicators certified in reciprocal states, agencies and tribes to take the Florida certification exams. However, the license requirement is not waived. All individuals who apply restricted-use pesticides in Florida or who apply any pesticide in Florida by aerial delivery must have a Florida license issued by FDACS.

FDACS has evaluated several state categories to make determinations on reciprocity eligibility. Here is the most up-to-date Reciprocity Compatibility Chart [ 229.5 kB ] . Contact the Pesticide Certification Section at (850) 617-7870 to determine eligibility for states that are not listed on the chart. This information is continually updated and may be subject to change at any time based on changing regulations among states. Previous approval of a reciprocal state/category does not ensure future approval.

Florida licenses can be issued for a term of no more than four years, so the expiration date on the Florida license may not be the same as the expiration date on the reciprocal license.