Florida is renowned for its beautiful landscape and well-manicured gardens. Maintaining these lush greenscapes is an important part of the state’s economy, and it requires professional expertise. This is where the Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance License comes in. This license allows you to apply caution-labeled pesticides to ornamental beds on commercial properties and small residential communities. To decide whether the LCLM license is for you, check out the UF/IFAS publication, “Finding the Correct Pesticide Applicator License in Florida“. In this blog, we’ll explain how residents can obtain the LCLM license.
The first step to getting a Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance License in Florida is to complete a pre-license course. This course will give you the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the licensing exam. There are many schools and online courses that offer this training. You can take it online, anytime virtually here! The course usually takes about 6 hours to complete, and you’ll learn about topics like plant identification, irrigation systems, fertilizers, and pest management. The next available in-person course is being offered April 28th 2023 in Lee County (contact crasuaje@ufl.edu to register).
Once you’ve completed the pre-license course, you can apply to take the licensing exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and is timed for three hours. You can take it on-site right after the course or study at home and then schedule your exam. You’ll need to score at least 75% to pass the exam. If you pass the exam, you’ll receive your Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance License.
In addition to taking the required course, you need proof of insurance. Each applicant will have to provide proof of insurance which indicates that their employer meets the minimum financial responsibility requirements for bodily injury and property damage. Presently, these amounts are set at: Bodily injury: $250,000 each person and $500,000 each occurrence; and property damage $250,000 each occurrence and $500,000 in the aggregate; or combined single limit coverage of $500,000 in the aggregate.
Additionally, there are optional study guides. We recommend the following study materials:
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- Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance book* (IFAS Bookstore)
- Applying Pesticides Correctly book* (IFAS Bookstore)
- Identification Guide to Common FL Lawn & Ornamental Weeds booklet* (IFAS Bookstore)
- Florida Green Industries – Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources in Florida (copies available for free at most local extension offices)
- Chapter 5E-14 FAC (internet)
- Chapter 482 FL Statutes (internet)
- Instructions -common pesticides & equipment (from suppliers; basically, review some of the pesticide labels you would use)
When you’re ready to take your exam, visit the Pesticide Certification Exam scheduling site to:
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- Find exam Testing Centers and Schedules near you;
- Apply for the exam through FDACS online; and then
- Schedule your exam.
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In conclusion, you’ll need to complete a pre-license course, pass a licensing exam, and apply for your license. Once you have your license, you’ll be able to work as a limited commercial landscape maintenance provider.
Once you are licensed, start gathering CEUs (continuing education units) early, so that you can easily renew your license when it’s time. The LCLM license must be renewed each year with at least four CEUs or by re-taking the exam. Local extension offices and the UF Pesticide Information Office both offer CEUs year-round. To locate a class, you can use the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) statewide CEU class search.
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