Florida Pest Control Licenses: How to Verify

In Florida, pest control is licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. Every business location needs an FDACS license, each location needs a certified operator in charge, and every employee who does the work must carry an FDACS identification card. You can check a company or person in the FDACS Pest Control Database or by calling FDACS at (850) 617-7997.

Who licenses pest control providers in Florida

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement. Florida law makes it unlawful to run an unlicensed pest control business, and each business location must hold its own FDACS license, renewed every year. Each location must have a full-time certified operator in charge, certified in the categories the business offers: general household pest, termites and other wood-destroying organisms, lawn and ornamental, or fumigation. Every employee who performs pest control must carry an FDACS identification card. Search the FDACS Pest Control Database or call (850) 617-7997 to verify a license, and expect a business license number that starts with "JB."

Check a license →

Key facts for Florida

Chapter 482 of the Florida Statutes says it is unlawful to operate a pest control business that is not licensed, and each business location must be licensed.
FDACS issues operator certificates in four main categories: general household pest control, termites and other wood-destroying organisms, lawn and ornamental, and fumigation.
Every employee who performs pest control for a licensee must have an FDACS identification card and must show it on request.
FDACS business license numbers for pest control companies start with "JB," and service vehicles must show the registered business name on both sides.
A written wood-destroying organism (WDO) report for a real estate transaction must be on form FDACS-13645, and the licensee may not add disclaimers to it.
Rule 5E-14.105 requires a written contract for each termite or WDO treatment, given to the owner before any work is done and before payment.
Chapter 482 preempts local pest control regulation, so cities and counties do not issue their own pest control licenses, though local business taxes still apply.
FDACS can investigate violations of Chapter 482 but has no authority to arbitrate claims for personal or property damage.

What is the difference between a business license, a certified operator and an ID cardholder?

Florida licenses pest control at three levels. The business license belongs to the company. Each business location needs its own, and it renews every year.

The certified operator is a person who passed FDACS exams in one or more categories. Each licensed location must have a certified operator in charge. That person works full time for the company and personally supervises its pest control work. The certificate must be displayed at the business location.

The identification cardholder is the technician at your door. Every employee who performs pest control must carry an FDACS ID card and show it on demand. Cardholders must be employees, not independent contractors, and may use only the company's own pesticides and equipment. Anyone who inspects for termites and other wood-destroying organisms needs a special card that shows extra training.

Which license category covers your problem?

FDACS certifies operators by category. Match the category to the job:

General household pest control: roaches, ants, rodents and other pests in and around the home.
Termites and other wood-destroying organisms: subterranean and drywood termites, powder-post beetles, oldhouse borers and wood-decaying fungi. Rule 5E-14.142 ties the WDO inspection report used in home sales to companies with a certified operator in this category.
Lawn and ornamental: pests on turf, shrubs and landscape plants.
Fumigation: tenting a structure and filling it with gas. FDACS says only certified applicators may fumigate a structure.

Lawn maintenance companies may apply only fertilizer to turf, not pesticides, unless they hold a separate limited certification. Their staff carry ID cards that start with "JL." Wildlife trappers with a limited wildlife certificate (numbers starting with "LW") may trap rodents but may not use pesticides other than adhesives.

How do you verify a license with FDACS?

Ask for the company's business license number. It should start with "JB."
Search the FDACS Pest Control Database, which lists licensed pest control companies and applicators.
Or call FDACS at (850) 617-7997, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ask the technician to show the FDACS ID card. The law requires it on demand.
Check the truck. Service vehicles must show the company's FDACS-registered name on both sides.

FDACS also warns against paying cash or writing checks to an individual. You can ask FDACS for a company's complaint history. It is public, and FDACS reports written complaints from the last three years along with how they were resolved.

What is the WDO inspection report used in Florida home sales?

When a licensee inspects for termites and other wood-destroying organisms for a real estate transaction, and charges a fee or is asked for a written report, Chapter 482 requires a report on an FDACS form. Rule 5E-14.142 names that form: the Wood-Destroying Organisms Inspection Report, FDACS-13645. The licensee may not add disclaimers or extra language to it.

The report must list areas that were not inspected, evidence of earlier treatment, any organisms or damage found, and where the inspection notice was posted. The inspector must certify having no financial interest in the property. A report is not a guarantee unless it states the extent of a guarantee. The licensee posts a notice near the attic or crawl space access with its name, address and the inspection date.

What must a Florida termite contract say?

Rule 5E-14.105 requires a written contract for each termite or WDO treatment. You must get the contract, or an exact copy, before any work starts and before you pay.

The first page must state whether it covers subterranean termites, drywood termites, or both. Excluded invasive species, such as Formosan termites, must be named as excluded.
Under section 482.227, the first page must say in bold whether the contract is for repair and retreatment, retreatment only, or carries no warranty. Exclusions and limitations must also appear in bold on the first page.
If limits apply, the contract cannot call the guarantee "full" or "unlimited."
It must say whether reinspections will be made. After each reinspection or retreatment, the company must give you a signed report.
For spot treatments, the treated areas must be listed in the contract.
A company may not knowingly put your home under a second contract for the same organism without your signed consent on an FDACS form.

How do you file a complaint against a pest control company in Florida?

FDACS asks consumers to first try to settle the problem with the company, ideally with the certified operator or branch manager. If that fails, file a written complaint on FDACS form 13621. A written form is required to start an investigation.

Mail it to FDACS at 3125 Conner Blvd., Ste. N, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650, or call (850) 617-7996. The general consumer line is 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352). FDACS investigates violations of Chapter 482, but it cannot settle claims for personal injury or property damage. Anonymous complaints get lower priority.

How to choose a provider in Florida

Get the company's FDACS business license number (it starts with "JB") and look it up in the FDACS Pest Control Database.
Confirm the company holds the category that fits your job, such as termites and other wood-destroying organisms for termite work.
Ask each technician to show an FDACS identification card.
Check that the service vehicle shows the registered business name on both sides.
For termite work, get the written contract before work starts and before you pay.
Read the first page of any termite contract for the bold warranty statement and any exclusions, and check whether it covers subterranean termites, drywood termites, or both.
For a home sale, make sure the WDO findings come on form FDACS-13645 from a company certified in the termite category.
Ask FDACS for the company's complaint history from the last three years.
Pay the company, not an individual, and avoid cash.

Pest control in Florida cities

Questions people ask

Who licenses pest control companies in Florida?

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) licenses pest control businesses, certifies operators and issues employee ID cards under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. Cities and counties do not issue separate pest control licenses, because Chapter 482 preempts local pest control regulation. Local business taxes still apply.

How can I check if a Florida pest control company is licensed?

Search the FDACS Pest Control Database at aeslicensing.fdacs.gov or call FDACS at (850) 617-7997 on weekdays. Ask the company for its business license number, which should start with "JB." You can also ask the technician to show an FDACS identification card.

Does every technician need a license?

Every employee who performs pest control must carry an FDACS identification card and show it on request. The company's location must also have a full-time certified operator in charge who supervises the work. Technicians who inspect for termites need a special ID card showing extra training.

What is form FDACS-13645?

It is the Wood-Destroying Organisms Inspection Report. Rule 5E-14.142 requires licensees certified in termite control to use it when they report WDO inspection findings in writing. It is commonly used in home sales, and the company may not add disclaimers to it.

Is a termite inspection report a guarantee?

No. Under section 482.226, a WDO inspection report is not a guarantee unless it states the extent of a guarantee. It reports what the inspector found in the areas that could be inspected, and it must list areas that were not inspected.

Can a lawn service spray pesticides on my yard?

Not as a regular lawn maintenance company. FDACS says lawn maintenance companies may apply only fertilizer to turf. Certain certified landscape staff with ID cards starting "JL" may apply some products to plant beds and ornamentals. Otherwise, hire a licensed pest control business; FDACS certifies operators in a lawn and ornamental category.

Will FDACS help me get money back for damage?

No. FDACS investigates violations of Chapter 482 and can discipline a company, but it has no authority to arbitrate or settle claims for personal or property damage. FDACS suggests consulting an attorney for damage claims.

Can my condo association spray inside my unit?

FDACS says condominium associations may treat common areas and exterior grounds but not individual units. Condo employees cannot apply pesticides inside a unit. The association can hire a licensed pest control company.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

How do you check a pest control company's license in Florida?