If you are new to the landscaping industry, agriculture, starting a business in pest control, or work for a government, then you may need a pesticide applicator license.
Who’s in charge?
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), is the governing body that regulates our industry. They partner with UF/IFAS Extension, which help educate and test those who need to obtain licensing for their business or employment.
Why do we need a license?
Pesticide applicator licenses provide a way for the industry to regulate these products. Doing so ensures safety for humans and for the environment. At best, pesticide applicators are environmental stewards. Therefore, we play an important role in protecting and caring for the earth, keeping our water safe for future generations.
How do I get a license?
The first step is knowing which license you need and this will depend on your activity and business requirements. This information is available from the FDACS pesticide applicator site.
Once you know the name of the license you need, and which category it is in (487, 482, or 388) then, go to this page to determine which study materials you need. It’s very important that you do not skip this part of the process. Because these exams are designed to test that you have understood this material, you will most likely fail the exam if you don’t study. Also, some exams require a fee to test and it can become very costly if you try to skip this step.
The FDACS site is multi-faceted and provides a lot of information, some of which may be difficult to understand. So, if you need help with the process UF/IFAS provides the Pesticide Information Office to assist you. You can also see which Counties are offering testing at this phase of Covid-19.
Without a voucher, you will not be able to test at any location. When making the application, be sure to fill out the forms correctly and fully. Bring this voucher number to your testing site.
We are here to help.
If you are new to the industry, this process may seem daunting and confusing. Remember, that UF/IFAS is here to assist you and offers training to give you additional support. Along with your personal study of the appropriate pesticide training manuals, we can help you succeed in this process. Check often with your local County Extension office to see what training classes are being offered.