Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control
Licensing and Certification
In order to protect the citizens of Florida from pesticide misuse, Mosquito and Biting Fly Control applicators are required under Chapter 388, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 5E-13, Florida Administrative Code, to be certified in the category of Public Health Pest Control.
The Mosquito Control Section processes all examination applications, there are several locations at which to have the examination administered. How to Become Certified: Two different exams must be passed to qualify for certification. The first exam, referred to as the Core exam, tests the applicant on general pesticide use and safety. The Core (General Standards) exam manual, entitled "Applying Pesticides Correctly", may be purchased for $7.00 plus $3.00 S/H from: IFAS Publications, University of Florida, Post Office Box 110011, Gainesville, Florida, 32611. The second exam, known as the Public Health Exam, covers the applicant's knowledge of mosquito biology and habitats, control methods, regulations, medical importance, and non-mosquito arthropods of public health importance. The exam manual, entitled "Public Health Pest Control" (pdf). Both exams may be taken at your local county extension service office, at the Bureau Headquarters in Jacksonville or Tallahassee, at any of the twelve regional entomologist/inspector offices located throughout the State, and at certification workshops that are held regionally during the spring (call this office for scheduling information).Please note these links will open the page in a new window.
DIRECTOR AND ADVANCE PUBLIC HEALTH EXAM SCHEDULING ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE THROUGH THIS OFFICE PRIOR TO TAKING THE CERTIFICATION EXAMS.
Please call James Clauson at (850) 922-7011, FAX (850) 413-7044 or email at clausoj@doacs.state.fl.us. Certification Examination Schedule: There are no set examination locations, dates or times. Examination scheduling arrangements MUST be made through this office prior to taking the Certification Exams. Please call James Clauson at (850) 922-7011, FAX (850) 413-7044 or email at clausoj@doacs.state.fl.us. Both of the exams (Director and Advance Public Health) may be taken at your local county extension service (pdf) office or the Bureau's Headquarters in Tallahassee, at any of the twelve regional entomologist/inspectors located throughout the State, and at certification workshops that are held regionally during the spring (call this office for scheduling information). There are no fees required to take the exams. Continuing Education Requirements: How long is the Certificate Valid and are Continuing Education Units (CEU's) Required for Renewal? The Public Health license is valid for FOUR (4) YEARS. During the four year life of the license, the applicator is required to attend SIXTEEN HOURS (16) of continuing education training in order for the certificate to be automatically renewed. Training must cover specific areas of study and these are listed in Chapter 5E-13.040(4), Florida Administrative Code, a copy of which is available online or from this office upon request. There are many activities throughout the year that qualify for CEU credit. The Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control annually sponsors two to four mosquito control workshops during the year. Certificate holders in the region of the workshop will be notified. Members of the Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) and the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) may attend annual spring and fall meetings for credit. The Director's exam is valid as long as the Public Health Pest Control license is renewed. The applicant must posses a valid Public Health Pest Control prior to taking the Director's exam. The FMCA/DACS/IFAS sponsored Plenary, Specialty, and Regional Dodd Short Courses (lasting from less than a day to a full week on a variety of mosquito control subjects) is an excellent source of CEU credit. Up to FOUR (4) hours of CORE TRAINING may be obtained through county cooperative extension service offices to apply toward renewal. Please contact our office if you have earned Core CEUs that you would like to count towards you Public Health license renewal. Other training sources: Approved by this office and made available at Entomology and Pest Control, Mosquito Control, 1203 Governors Boulevard, Suite 300, Magnolia Center I, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 or to CEU Information.