That is right! Fertilizer is regulated in Florida and in Orange County and beyond! You are required to learn about it and follow the rules. We want to keep things interesting and beneficial for you, the landscape professionals. This year, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County is partnering with the Sun Spot Safety program to offer a short lunch and learn lesson with sun safety swag for attendees of the GI-BMP classes in Orange County.

Every person who applies fertilizer for hire is required by law to have a Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Fertilizer application.

That means we need more GI-BMP trainers, too! Email me: hwooten@ufl.edu 

Work with me to attend a training, become a GI-BMP certified instructor (see below), or schedule an in-house training event. 

In Orange County, Florida, there are additional training requirements and/or application restrictions for ALL types of fertilizer applicators. Fertilizer is regulated because we know that fertilizer drives algae growth in lakes and contributes to other water quality issues. Proper application of fertilizer keeps lawns green and waters blue! There are 3 steps to satisfy the legal requirements of Florida Law and the Orange County Fertilizer Ordinance.

1. State of Florida training requirements: GI-BMP (Green Industries Best Management Practices) is a 6-hour training about best landscaping practices. Every prospective fertilizer applicator is required to attend the 6-hour class and pass an exam with a 75% or higher score. Once you pass, you have your GI-BMP Certificate forever. You must complete STEP 2 in order to be a certified applicator. The class is available in a variety of formats and languages, English, Spanish, and Creole, on the GI-BMP website.
   • WHAT: Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP)
   • CEUs: 4 total FDACS CEUs in the following categories – 2 Core 482, 2 Core 487, 2 Private Ag, 2 Ornamental Turf, 2 Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance (LCLM), 2 Limited Lawn & Ornamental, 2 Limited Urban Fertilizer, 2 Commercial Lawn & Ornamental
   • WHEN:
     • In person, English: Thursday, September 19th, from 8:15 am – 3:30 pm
     • In person, Spanish: Thursday, December 12th, from 8:15 am – 3:30 pm
   • WHERE: UF/IFAS Extension Orange County /  6021 S. Conway Rd. / Orlando, FL 32812
   • COST: $30
   • PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: ocextension.eventbrite.com
2. State of Florida licensing requirements: Limited Urban Fertilizer Certification is the license required to be obtained through FDACS upon successful completion of the GI-BMP Class and Exam in STEP 1. This is the license that CERTIFIES YOU AS A FERTILIZER APPLICATOR. You are required to recertify every 4 years with 4 CEUs (2 Core 482 and 2 Limited Urban Fertilizer). A live GI-BMP class will satisfy the CEU requirement for license renewal for any individuals that have already taken the GI-BMP and passed the exam. Whether a new trainee or recertifying, you will upload your GI-BMP certificates or your CEU forms here: https://aesecomm.freshfromflorida.com/Default.aspx?type=EPC.
3. Orange County Fertilizer Ordinance Requirements: Orange County has a fertilizer ordinance. You MUST do STEP 1 and 2 and then work with Orange County to complete STEP 3. There are local regulations linked. Fertilizers applied in Orange County must have limited Nitrogen (65% slow release), 0 Phosphorus (unless soil test shows deficiency), no grass clippings in streets, 25 foot setbacks near water, and use of deflector shields. You are required to show proof of licensure and GET A DECAL FOR YOUR VEHICLES used during application.

Want to become a GI-BMP Certified Instructor?

Do you feel like you are good at teaching others on your team? Elevate your skills and certifications by becoming a GI-BMP Certified Instructor!

https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/gi-bmp/Becoming_a_GI-BMP_Certified_Instructor.pdf

You can teach in-house classes or help teach public trainings. Most importantly, you get to share your passion, skills, and experience with others.

There are some basic requirements, including passing your GI-BMP exam with at least a 90%, then taking an instructor class, and then teaching 2 in-person classes (one module) while attending the entire training day so you can learn the ropes. If you are interested in becoming an instructor, scout out the training days for 2023 so you know when you would need to be available to teach. It typically takes about 1 year to get all the classes you need.

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