Most pesticide applicator licenses in Florida will require passing at least two exams, depending on the specific intended pesticide application and site of application.
A) Private Applicator
You need a private pesticide applicator agricultural pest control license if you will be applying RUP (Restricted-Use Pesticides) to produce agricultural commodities on farms, nurseries, orchards, etc. To obtain this license, you will need to apply for and pass:
1- General standards/Core
2- Private applicator category
B) Public Applicator
If you work for a public entity (university, state government, or county government) and you need to apply pesticides as a part of your job to your employer’s property (with some exceptions to Limited Licenses), you will need a Public Pesticide Applicator License. To obtain this license you need to apply for and pass:
1- General Standards/Core
2- Primary category (such as Ag Row Crop, Ag Tree Crop, or similar)
A secondary category may be added (such as Demonstration & Research if you apply pesticides for research purposes, usually needed for universities, pesticide production companies)
C) Commercial Applicator
If you are hired for pesticide applications (contractor for hire), you would need a commercial pesticide applicator license. This is usually needed for contractors and pest control businesses. To obtain this license, you will need to apply for and pass:
1- General standards/Core
2- Primary category (such as Ag Row Crop, Ag Tree Crop, or similar)
You may need to add extra categories to the three previous types of licenses, depending on the type of application or site that will be treated. Each situation may differ on which license and categories are needed, so please consult with your local UF/IFAS Extension Office or FDACS on which license you need.
Online study courses for the CORE, Private, and Ag Row categories
Study manuals may be purchased from the IFAS Bookstore:
Applying Pesticide Correctly Manual
Private Applicator Agriculture Pest Control Category Manual
More details on the exams needed for each license
Free Questionnaire to guide you to the exam categories you would need
Other Pesticide Exam Categories Study Manuals – UF/IFAS Extension
Pesticide Applicator Licenses – FDACS
Steps to apply for or renew pesticide licenses:
1- Go to https://aeslicensing.fdacs.gov/ and click “Go to Licensing Portal”. There, you can register for a new account to apply for the license or renew your license. Once you enter all the information needed, you will be issued a voucher number for each test required to obtain the pest control applicator license.
2- You will use the vouchers to schedule the exams.
3- Exams are offered in online and in-person formats. As of 2025, exams are no longer available through the University of Florida Extension offices.
When you pass the exams needed for the licenses you applied for, you will receive an email from FDACS with payment information to issue the license and mail it to you. This process may take a few weeks.
If you have any questions about any of this, please reach out to your local UF/IFAS Extension office.
Hillsborough County UF/IFAS Extension
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