A plain-English walkthrough of getting licensed in Florida — which Chapter 487 license you need, the General Standards (CORE) and category exams, what it costs, and how to study and pass. Restricted-use pesticide licensing in Florida is run by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS); structural and household pest control is a separate FDACS program under Chapter 482.
Every Chapter 487 license starts with the General Standards (CORE) exam — 50 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour limit — plus a category exam of the same format for your work. Exams are administered through UF/IFAS Extension and Everblue, in person at sites around the state (no exam fee in person) or online with remote proctoring for a small fee (about $26). Once you pass, you apply and pay through FDACS's online licensing portal.
License fees vary by type — for example, the Ornamental & Turfgrass license runs $250 for commercial applicators and $100 for public applicators, and the private applicator license is $100 — and licenses are valid for up to four years. Renew by earning continuing education units during the license period (the O&T license takes 4 CORE plus 12 category CEUs) or by retaking the exams within 12 months either side of expiration. Confirm your license type's current fee with FDACS, and note that structural pest control (termites, roaches, household pests) is licensed separately under Chapter 482.
Florida Chapter 487 licenses run up to four years and renew either by retaking the exams or — the route most take — with CEUs earned during the license period: 4 core CEUs per license (not per category) plus a category-specific count, such as 4 for private agriculture or 12 for ornamental and turf. FDACS mails a renewal notice about 60 days out, and a lapsed license can still be renewed for up to one year after expiration. Confirm the CEU count for your categories with FDACS before your cycle ends.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Restricted-use agricultural and outdoor licensing runs under Chapter 487; structural and household pest control is a separate FDACS program under Chapter 482.
Nothing in person — Chapter 487 exams administered through UF/IFAS and Everblue testing sites are free to sit, with a small fee (around $26) for remote online proctoring. License fees after passing vary by type; confirm with FDACS.
The General Standards (CORE) exam is 50 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, covering the national pesticide foundation — labels, laws, safety, PPE, environment, and IPM. You can practice it free here before you sit for it.
Up to four years. You renew with continuing education units earned during the license period, or by retaking your exams within 12 months before or after expiration.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) administers pesticide applicator certification in Florida. Official requirements, applications, and scheduling come from the agency directly at https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Pesticide-Licensing.
Start with the National CORE material — the safety, label, and law foundation every state exam draws on. The free practice exams, flashcards, and study guides on this page mirror the real exam format: timed, scored, with a plain-English rationale on every question.
