Pesticide Applicators Certification Exam Information

You'd like to have a pesticide license but where do you start?

If you're not sure what license you need see: http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/DecTable.htm

The table below explains the different categories of pesticide applicator licenses which are issued by the State of Florida, the exams you need to pass to become licensed, and study materials which are available to help you pass these exams. Unless noted, all study materials are available from the University of Florida, IFAS Bookstore. Prices shown do not include tax or shipping. Visit the IFAS Bookstore website for more information or call 800-226-1764. (**note cost listed below is subject to change).

Exam Category &
License Type		 Exam Needed Study Materials & Cost
Aerial – Ch. 487 Aerial + appropriate category
Agricultural Row Crop – Ch. 487 General Stds + Ag. Row Crop

Agricultural Tree Crop – Ch. 487

 General Stds + Ag Tree Crop

Aquatic – Ch. 487

 General Stds + Aquatic

Demonstration Research – Ch. 487

 D & R + appropriate category
  • Demonstration – Research Manual (Contact the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information office 352-392-4721)
    N/A

Forest Pest Control – Ch. 487

General Stds +Forestry
General Certification (CORE) Taken with Category Exam

Organotin Antifouling Paint – Ch. 487

 Organotin Antifouling Paint
Ornamental & Turf (O&T) – Ch. 487 General Stds + O&T
Private Applicator Agriculture – Ch. 487 General Stds + Private Applicator
Public Health Pest Control – Ch. 388 General Stds + Public Health
  • SM 1 - Applying Pesticides Correctly $7.00
  • Public Health Pest Control Manual (Contact the Bureau of Entomology 850-921-4177
  • Chapter 388, F.S. Mosquito Control
    Chapter 5E-13 F.A.C. Rules of FDACS, Mosquito Control Program Administration or 850-922-7011
Regulatory Pest Control General Stds + Regulatory
Right-of-Way – Ch. 487 General Stds + Right-of-Way
Commercial Certification:
Pest Control Operator (PCO – L&O) - Ch. 482		 Lawn & Ornamental Exam given 4 times/year in Winter Haven. Must meet prerequisites
Limited Certification:
Commercial Landscape Maintenance – Ch. 482		 Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Limited Certification:
Lawn & Ornamental (L&O) - Ch. 482		 Limited Lawn & Ornamental

Limited Certification:
Structural Pest Control – Ch. 482

Limited Structural

If you are in The Upper Keys area, the Miami Dade County Extension Service office offers classes which will help you study for some of the exams. Visit their website at: http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/pesticidetraining.htm or call 305-248-3311 for a list of upcoming classes.

If you would like to schedule an exam to be taken at our Monroe County Extension Service Key West office, please call us at 305-292-4501 or email Kim Gabel kgabel@ufl.edu to set up an appointment.

Aditional Resources

Florida Laws