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. With the LCLM license, you are NOT allowed to apply pesticides to lawns and turf or use a power sprayer. Landscape professionals commonly refer to this license as the “Round-Up License”.
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 1.) CORE, which is pesticide laws, safety, and labeling, and 2) LCLM principles.
• 1.) LCLM study guide
• 2.) 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. If testing in-person at an exam location site, you must bring the voucher number with you. If you are testing online through the Everblue system, please have your voucher number ready.
3. Select a Testing Date and Location
Select a Testing Date and Location.
4. Attend a LCLM Exam Review Session
– Some Extension Offices will offer LCLM exam review sessions, but this depends on the County.
– Contact your County Extension Office to find the closest in-person LCLM exam review session to you.
– The Manatee County Extension Office offers a self-paced online LCLM exam review session.
– Exam review sessions for the LCLM pesticide license are not required.
– 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 are 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 proof of insurance
– Insurance Requirements – From the FDACS website, “Prior to the issuance of the Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance certification, the Applicant will have to provide proof of insurance that indicates 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
After the first year, the annual renewal fee is $75.00, plus you will need to attend 4 hours of approved Continuing Education (CEU) classes annually, often offered by your local County Extension Office. Be sure to renew your license by the annual deadline.
3
