If you maintain landscapes and plan to apply pesticides for hire around occupied buildings (homes or businesses), then you need a pesticide license through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). With the Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance License (LCLM) you will be able to apply herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that state “Caution” on the label on landscapes around buildings. Landscape professionals commonly refer to this license as the “Round-Up License”. With the LCLM license you are NOT allowed to apply pesticides to lawns and turf or use a power sprayer.


Step by Step Instructions for obtaining an LCLM License.

1. Study for the Exam

Purchase study manuals from the UF/IFAS Bookstore at 800-226-1764 or online at the provided links.  You will need to study the CORE which is pesticide laws, safety and labeling and LCLM principles.
• LCLM study guide
• CORE study guide

2. Apply for an Exam Voucher

Apply for a voucher to take the exam.  The voucher to take the exam is $150.00. If you pass the exam, the $150 covers your LCLM pesticide license for the first year.  You must bring the voucher number with you to take the exam.

3. Select a Testing Date and Location

Select a Testing Date and Location.

4. Attend a LCLM Exam Review Session
 – The 6-hour LCLM exam review session is mandatory. You must complete the exam review session and pass the test to apply for the license.
 – Sometimes Extension Offices will offer exams immediately after class, but this depends on the County.
 – Contact your County Extension Office to find the closest in-person LCLM exam review to you.
 – The Manatee County Extension Office offers a self-paced online LCLM exam review session.
 – The LCLM class reviews the fundamentals you will need to pass the LCLM exams, but it does not replace studying the manuals. Pass rates for first time LCLM exam takers is around 50%.   Increase your chances of passing by studying ahead of time.

5. Apply for the LCLM License

Apply for the LCLM License
 – Be ready to upload a certificate of LCLM Exam Review Session Completion and proof of insurance
 – Insurance Requirements
From FDACS website “Prior to the issuance of the Limited Commercial Landscape certification, 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.”

6. Renew Your License Annually

Renew Your License Annually
After the first year, it is $75.00 annually to renew, plus you will need to attend 4 hours of approved Continuing Education (CEUs) classes annually often offered by your local County Extension Office. Be sure to renew your license by the annual deadline, so you never have to go through this process again!

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