Florida licenses pest control under Chapter 482 of the Florida Statutes, the Structural Pest Control Act, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issues the licenses. Operators are certified in one or more of four categories, and any customer can ask a company for its license number and verify it with FDACS.
Key takeaways
- Pest control in Florida is licensed under Chapter 482 of the Florida Statutes.
- The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) issues the licenses and certifications.
- A certified operator can hold one or all four categories: general household pest and rodent control; lawn and ornamental; termite and other wood-destroying organisms; and fumigation.
- Each business location needs a certified operator in charge for the category it performs, and a business is limited to the categories its operator holds.
- Ask any company for its license number and verify it with FDACS before booking.
Who licenses pest control in Florida?
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services licenses pest control under Chapter 482, the Structural Pest Control Act. Its licensing and certification pages set out the categories, the requirements and how to check a license.
Chapter 482 of the Florida Statutes sets the rules for pest control work, including the notice required before a fumigation and the obligations of licensees. The statute is the reason many pest tasks have to be done by a certified person.
FDACS administers those rules, so it is the body a customer should check when verifying a company's license.
What are the four certification categories?
An operator can be certified in one or all four categories: general household pest and rodent control, lawn and ornamental, termite and other wood-destroying organisms, and fumigation. A business can only perform the work its operator is certified for.
The categories matter because a company that holds only one of them cannot lawfully do work in the others. A customer who books termite fumigation should check that the operator is certified in the fumigation category.
The table lists the four categories and the kind of work each covers.
| Category | Kind of work |
|---|---|
| General household pest and rodent control | Pests and rodents in homes and buildings |
| Lawn and ornamental | Turf, landscape and ornamental planting |
| Termite and other wood-destroying organisms | Subterranean and drywood termites and other wood-destroying pests |
| Fumigation | Whole-structure and tent fumigation |
How do you check a company's license?
Ask the company for its license number and the categories its operator holds, then verify both with FDACS. Any legitimate company should give that information without hesitation.
Fumigation has a specific rule: it must be done by a certified operator in the fumigation category or by a special identification cardholder, and the licensee must notify FDACS in writing at least 24 hours before the fumigation.
Keep a record of the license number, the operator's name and the categories on file. If something seems wrong, FDACS is the state agency to contact.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask when a company calls about a termite job?
Ask for its license number, the name of the certified operator in charge, and the categories the operator holds, including fumigation if that is needed. Verify the license with FDACS before the work is booked.
Do I have to take the company's word for its license?
No. You can check the license number and the categories with FDACS directly. A technician should be willing to provide the number on request.
Can I ask the company that sends a technician for its license number?
Yes. Ask for the number when you book, and verify it with FDACS before the work starts. Call (855) 974-4733 with any question about the work.
Sources
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, pest control licensing and certification
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 482, Structural Pest Control Act
This guide is general information for Broward County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.