Florida Statutes § 482.157 — Limited certification for commercial wildlife management personnel.

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From the Legislature's 2026 edition, which includes changes effective through January 1, 2027. Later effective dates are retained in each section's source notes.

2026 edition · Chapter 482 — PEST CONTROL

¹(1) The department shall establish a limited certificate that authorizes a person who engages in the commercial trapping of wildlife to use nonchemical methods, including traps, mechanical or electronic devices, and exclusionary techniques to control commensal rodents.

(2) The department shall issue a limited certificate to an applicant who:

(a) Submits an application and examination fee of at least $150, but not more than $300, as prescribed by the department by rule;

(b) Passes an examination that the department shall provide in person and remotely through a third-party vendor. The third-party vendor may collect and retain a convenience fee. The department shall make available the appropriate study materials for the examination; and

(c) Provides proof, including a certificate of insurance, that the applicant has met the minimum bodily injury and property damage insurance requirements in s. 482.071(4).

(3) A certificate expires 1 year after the date of issuance. A certificateholder must apply to the department to renew his or her certificate on or before the 1-year anniversary of the date of issuance. The application must be accompanied by a recertification fee of at least $75, but not more than $150, as prescribed by the department by rule. The application must also be accompanied by proof of completion of the required 4 classroom hours of acceptable continuing education and the required proof of insurance. After a grace period not exceeding 30 calendar days following such expiration date, the department shall assess a late fee of $50 in addition to the renewal fee. If a certificateholder fails to renew his or her certificate and provide proof of completing the required continuing education units within 60 days after the expiration date, the certificateholder may be recertified only after reexamination.

(4) Certification under this section does not authorize:

(a) The use of pesticides or chemical substances, other than adhesive materials, to control rodents or other nuisance wildlife in, on, or under structures;

(b) Operation of a pest control business; or

History

History.—s. 4, ch. 2011-192; s. 10, ch. 2011-206; s. 6, ch. 2024-137; s. 37, ch. 2025-22.

Notes

1Note.—As created by s. 10, ch. 2011-206. For a description of multiple acts in the same session affecting a statutory provision, see preface to the Florida Statutes, “Statutory Construction.” Section 482.157 was created by s. 10, ch. 2011-206, and by s. 4, ch. 2011-192; s. 6, ch. 2024-137, and s. 37, ch. 2025-22, have resolved all conflicting language except at subsection (1). As created by s. 4, ch. 2011-192, subsection (1) reads: (1) The department shall establish a limited certificate authorizing individual commercial wildlife trapper personnel to use nonchemical methods, including traps, mechanical or electronic devices, and exclusionary techniques, to control commensal rodents.

Source captured on 2026-10-10. Read the official chapter.

Chapter 482 · Collection coverage