Florida Statute
Chapter 482 — Pest Control
A plain-language guide to the statute, its implementing regulations, and every official reference a Florida-licensed applicator needs.
Florida Statute Chapter 482 · Rule 5E-14
What is Chapter 482?
Florida Statute Chapter 482 is the primary law governing the pest control industry in Florida. It is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Agricultural Environmental Services (DAES). Chapter 482 establishes who must be licensed, what a license covers, what certified operators are responsible for, what records must be kept, and what happens when violations occur.
Florida Administrative Code Rule 5E-14 is the implementing regulation for Chapter 482. It provides the detailed technical and procedural requirements that expand on the statute — including minimum standards for pest control work, CEU requirements, and license categories.
Every licensed Florida pest control applicator is responsible for understanding and complying with both Chapter 482 and Rule 5E-14. The guide below covers the key provisions most relevant to active applicators, followed by official sources for deeper research.
Key Statutory Sections
Prohibition — practicing without a license
No person may engage in pest control for hire in Florida without a valid pest control business license. Operating without a license is a first-degree misdemeanor. The prohibition applies to individuals and business entities alike.
Definitions
Establishes key terms used throughout the chapter: "pest control" (the use of pesticides or mechanical devices to control pests in or around structures or land), "certified operator" (the licensed individual responsible for the pest control activities of a licensee), "employee" (any individual performing pest control under the supervision of a certified operator), and "licensee" (the business holding the pest control license).
License requirements and fees
Pest control businesses must be licensed by FDACS. The application must identify the certified operator(s) responsible for supervising pest control activities. Separate licenses are required for each pest control category a company operates in (e.g., GHP, L&O, Termite). Fees are set by rule.
Employee identification cards
Every employee performing pest control must carry a current FDACS-issued identification card while on duty. The card must include the employee's photograph, name, license category, and employer information. Employees must present this card upon request by any person or FDACS inspector.
Advertising regulations
All pest control advertising must include the company's license number. Advertising must not make false, misleading, or deceptive claims. Companies may not advertise a pest control category for which they are not licensed.
Certified operators — qualifications and responsibilities
A certified operator must pass a state examination in each license category they supervise. Certified operators are personally responsible for ensuring that all pest control work performed under their license is done in compliance with Chapter 482, Rule 5E-14, and all applicable federal and state pesticide laws. A certified operator may be responsible for multiple employees but must be reachable and available to supervise.
Continuing education requirements
Certified operators must complete continuing education units (CEUs) as a condition of license renewal. FDACS specifies the number of CEU hours required per renewal cycle and the approved topics. CEU courses must be provided by an FDACS-registered continuing education provider. PestEd is a registered provider and each course carries an FDACS approval number.
Records
Pest control companies must maintain records of all pesticide applications, including the date, location, target pest, product applied, rate, and the name of the employee making the application. Records must be retained for a minimum period specified by rule and must be made available to FDACS upon request. Customers may also request a copy of application records.
Inspections and access
FDACS inspectors are authorized to enter pest control establishments and vehicles during business hours to inspect records, equipment, and pesticide storage. Inspectors may also observe pest control applications in progress. Failure to allow a lawful inspection is a violation of the chapter.
Penalties and enforcement
FDACS may impose administrative fines, suspend licenses, revoke licenses, or issue cease-and-desist orders for violations of Chapter 482. Fines may be assessed per violation. Criminal penalties apply to unlicensed pest control activity and other serious violations. Aggravated or repeated violations may result in permanent license revocation.
Florida Administrative Code — Rule 5E-14
Rule 5E-14 implements Chapter 482 and contains the detailed operational requirements for Florida pest control licensees. The sections below are most relevant to day-to-day compliance and CEU renewal.
License categories
Establishes the pest control license categories in Florida: General Household Pest (GHP), Lawn & Ornamental (L&O), Termite/WDO, Fumigation, and others. Each category requires a separate license and examination.
Minimum standards for pest control
Sets the minimum technical and safety standards for how pest control work must be performed in each license category. Requires applicators to follow label directions, use appropriate equipment, and apply pesticides in an effective and safe manner.
Continuing education requirements
Specifies the number of CEU hours required per renewal period for each license category, the topics that must be covered, the minimum seat time per CEU hour, the passing score for CEU course exams (75% for all Chapter 482 categories, including Lawn & Ornamental), and the requirements for approved CEU providers.
Employee training
Requires pest control companies to provide adequate training to employees before they perform pest control work. Establishes minimum competency requirements and documentation standards.
WDO inspection report requirements
For WDO (termite) inspections, specifies the required content of the FDACS WDO Inspection Report form, including how to report findings, inaccessible areas, and conditions conducive to WDO activity. Applies to licensed WDO inspectors in Florida.
CEU requirements at a glance
Florida-specific content
CEU courses must cover topics approved by FDACS and directly relevant to the applicator's license category. Generic or non-Florida courses do not satisfy the requirement.
Minimum seat time
Rule 5E-14 sets a minimum active reading time for each CEU hour. Courses that allow instant click-through do not comply. PestEd tracks your seat time automatically.
Passing score
CEU course exams require a minimum passing score of 75% for all Chapter 482 categories, including Lawn & Ornamental. Retakes are allowed. Your certificate is issued the moment you pass.
Official sources & reference links
The statute summary above gives you the compliance framework. The links below go directly to the primary authorities — for license applications, the full statutory text, UF/IFAS research, federal regulations, and industry organizations.
FDACS — Licensing & Regulation
Primary government sources for license applications, renewals, official forms, and regulatory interpretations.
The FDACS division that administers pest control licensing in Florida. Find license lookup, renewal information, forms, and regulatory guidance.
Official portal for pest control license applications, renewals, certified operator exams, employee ID cards, and continuing education provider registration.
The official FDACS form for documenting continuing education attendance. Required for CEU credit. PestEd generates this form automatically when you pass a course.
The official Florida Legislature text of Chapter 482 (Pest Control). The authoritative source for all licensing and compliance questions.
The implementing regulation for Chapter 482. Covers minimum standards, license categories, CEU requirements, WDO inspection standards, and more.
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Research-based publications on Florida pest biology, turfgrass, ornamentals, and pest management from the state's land-grant university.
The primary online repository of University of Florida research-based publications on pest management, turf, ornamentals, and agriculture. Free to access.
Detailed fact sheets on Florida and southeastern insect species — biology, identification, host plants, and management. A go-to resource for FL pest ID.
Research and extension publications on Florida insects, mites, and nematodes — including identification guides, biology, and management recommendations.
Research and extension resources on Florida turfgrass varieties, cultural practices, pest management, and fertilization from the UF Turfgrass group.
Industry Associations
Florida and national trade organizations for networking, advocacy, and technical education beyond what CEU requirements cover.
The state trade association for Florida pest management professionals. Provides advocacy, education, networking, and industry resources for Florida operators.
The national trade association for the pest management industry. Resources include technical publications, training, and regulatory updates.
Industry association focused specifically on lawn and ornamental pest management in Florida. Provides technical updates, training, and networking for L&O operators.
EPA & Federal Pesticide Regulations
Federal regulatory framework that underlies Florida's state rules — FIFRA, label law, and toxicology resources every applicator should know.
Federal regulatory information on pesticide registration, labels, safety data, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Free, objective pesticide information for the public and professionals. Includes toxicology, exposure, first aid, and product-specific information.
EPA's online label repository. Search and view current registered pesticide labels — the authoritative source for legal use requirements.
Pest Identification & Invasive Species
Tools for identifying Florida pests in the field and staying current on invasive species detections.
Florida's primary agency for managing invasive pests and plant diseases. Report suspected new invasive pest detections to DPI. Maintains the Florida Invasive Species database.
Cooperative database of pest images and identification resources from universities and USDA. Useful for comparing specimens to reference photos.
Detailed fact sheets on Florida and southeastern insect species — includes biology, identification, host plants, and management. A go-to resource for FL pest ID.
Important: This page is a summary guide for educational purposes and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. For the full statutory text, always refer to the official Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code. FDACS interprets and enforces Chapter 482 — contact FDACS directly at (850) 617-7997 for official guidance.
External links are provided as a convenience. PestEd does not control and is not responsible for the content of third-party websites. Links to government and educational resources are current as of publication but may change.
Fulfill your Chapter 482 CEU requirement
PestEd's FDACS-approved courses satisfy Florida's continuing education requirement for Chapter 482 license renewal.