How often do I renew a pest control license in Florida?
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.
Source and quotation
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How to Get a Pest control License in Florida (2026)
Quick answer
Each structural pest-control business location must be licensed and employ a full-time Florida-certified operator in charge in the categories in which it operates.
Exam
Pass the FDACS written operator examinations in the categories sought.
Renewal
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.
Experience
Experience pathway: high school education or equivalent and three years as a licensee's service employee in the categories sought, including at least one year under a Florida licensee immediately before applying.
Minimum age
Operator certificates: over age 18.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check your qualifications
Age
Operator certificates: over age 18.
Exam
Pass the FDACS written operator examinations in the categories sought.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Pass the written examinations administered by FDACS.
Official sourceExperience
Experience pathway: high school education or equivalent and three years as a licensee's service employee in the categories sought, including at least one year under a Florida licensee immediately before applying.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
A high school education or equivalency and Three years of experience as a service employee of a licensee that performs pest control in any category or categories in which you are seeking certification. At least one of these years must have been under a licensee in Florida and must immediately precede your application for examination.
Official sourceEducation
The alternative education pathway requires the specified college education plus one year as a Florida licensee's service employee. Entomology education qualifies for all categories; horticulture, botany or agronomy qualifies only for lawn and ornamental.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
One year of experience as a service employee of a Florida licensee that performs pest control in any category or categories in which you are seeking certification. Note: If your education is in entomology, you are qualified for examination in all categories. If your education is in horticulture, botany or agronomy, you are qualified for examination only in the category of Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control.
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Apply for a Certified Pest Control Operator Exam
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Each structural pest-control business location must be licensed and employ a full-time Florida-certified operator in charge in the categories in which it operates.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
For structural pest control (pest control provided to homes or other structures), Florida law requires that each pest control business location must: ... Employ full-time a Florida-certified operator in charge of the pest control operations of the business location. This operator must be certified in the categories in which the business operates:Official source
Agency guidance
The separate business-license fee is $300 and each employee identification card costs $10.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The business license fee is $300, and the fee for each employee identification card is $10.Official source
Agency guidance
Use the agency's Certified Pest Control Operator renewal application.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Certified Pest Control Operator (JF) – 002253 ($150.00)Official source
When do I renew, and is CE required?
Renewal
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.Official source
License term in years
1 years
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.Official source
Renewal period in years
1 years
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.Official source
Continuing education topics
Operator certificate renewal: 2 Core CEUs plus 2 Category CEUs for each certificate category.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Submit 2 Core CEUs Submit 2 Category CEUs per certificate categoryOfficial source
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What does it cost?
Exam fee
$300
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The fee for the Certified Pest Control Operator exam is $300 per category.Official source
Renewal fee
$150
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Certified Pest Control Operator (JF) – 002253 ($150.00)Official source
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
What are the common questions?
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (16)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Board
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Official agency page
https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Pest-Control/Licensing-and-Certification
Commercial Structural Pest ControlOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Apply with the agency
https://aeslicensing.fdacs.gov/
Apply for a Certified Pest Control Operator ExamOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Age
Operator certificates: over age 18.
Operator certificates: over age 18.
Are over age 18Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Exam
Pass the FDACS written operator examinations in the categories sought.
Pass the FDACS written operator examinations in the categories sought.
Pass the written examinations administered by FDACS.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Experience
Experience pathway: high school education or equivalent and three years as a licensee's service employee in the categories sought, including at least one year under a Florida licensee immediately before applying.
Experience pathway: high school education or equivalent and three years as a licensee's service employee in the categories sought, including at least one year under a Florida licensee immediately before applying.
A high school education or equivalency and Three years of experience as a service employee of a licensee that performs pest control in any category or categories in which you are seeking certification. At least one of these years must have been under a licensee in Florida and must immediately precede your application for examination.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Education
The alternative education pathway requires the specified college education plus one year as a Florida licensee's service employee. Entomology education qualifies for all categories; horticulture, botany or agronomy qualifies only for lawn and ornamental.
The alternative education pathway requires the specified college education plus one year as a Florida licensee's service employee. Entomology education qualifies for all categories; horticulture, botany or agronomy qualifies only for lawn and ornamental.
One year of experience as a service employee of a Florida licensee that performs pest control in any category or categories in which you are seeking certification. Note: If your education is in entomology, you are qualified for examination in all categories. If your education is in horticulture, botany or agronomy, you are qualified for examination only in the category of Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Fees / Exam
$300
300
The fee for the Certified Pest Control Operator exam is $300 per category.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Fees / Renewal
$150
150
Certified Pest Control Operator (JF) – 002253 ($150.00)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
License term in years
1 years
1
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Renewal period in years
1 years
1
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Renewal
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance. Applies to: Certified Pest Control Operator certificate (JF)
A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education topics
Operator certificate renewal: 2 Core CEUs plus 2 Category CEUs for each certificate category.
Operator certificate renewal: 2 Core CEUs plus 2 Category CEUs for each certificate category.
Submit 2 Core CEUs Submit 2 Category CEUs per certificate categoryOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
Each structural pest-control business location must be licensed and employ a full-time Florida-certified operator in charge in the categories in which it operates.
Each structural pest-control business location must be licensed and employ a full-time Florida-certified operator in charge in the categories in which it operates.
For structural pest control (pest control provided to homes or other structures), Florida law requires that each pest control business location must: ... Employ full-time a Florida-certified operator in charge of the pest control operations of the business location. This operator must be certified in the categories in which the business operates:Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
The separate business-license fee is $300 and each employee identification card costs $10.
The separate business-license fee is $300 and each employee identification card costs $10.
The business license fee is $300, and the fee for each employee identification card is $10.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
Use the agency's Certified Pest Control Operator renewal application.
Use the agency's Certified Pest Control Operator renewal application.
Certified Pest Control Operator (JF) – 002253 ($150.00)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, required hours — see the official agency.
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Pest control in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Related licenses in Florida
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (2)
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