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. 1(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 administered by the department. The department shall provide the appropriate study materials for the examination and make the examination readily available to applicants in each county as necessary, but not less frequently than quarterly; 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
(c) Supervision of an uncertified person using nonchemical methods to control rodents.
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; language in subsection (3) was further amended and the conflict resolved by s. 6, ch. 2024-137, and the language in subsection (4) did not conflict. As amended by s. 4, ch. 2011-192, subsections (1) and (2) read:(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.
(2) The department shall issue a limited certificate to an applicant who:
(a) Submits an application and examination fee, set by departmental rule, of not more than $300 or less than $150. The department shall provide examination reference materials and offer the examination at least quarterly or as necessary in each county;
(b) Passes the departmental examination; and
(c) Provides proof, including a certificate of insurance, that the applicant has met the minimum financial bodily injury and property damage requirements in s. 482.071(4).
