Florida Statutes
Chapter 482 - Pest Control
482.165 - Unlicensed Practice of Pest Control; Cease and Desist Order; Injunction; Civil Suit and Penalty.


(1) It is unlawful for a person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other business entity not licensed by the department to practice pest control.
(2) If the department has probable cause to believe that a person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other business entity not licensed by the department to practice pest control has violated any provision of this chapter, the department shall issue and deliver to that person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other business entity a notice to cease and desist from such violation. For the purpose of enforcing a cease and desist order, the department may file a proceeding in the name of the state seeking issuance of an injunction or a writ of mandamus against any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other business entity that violates any provision of the order.
(3) In addition to or in lieu of any remedy provided under subsection (2), the department may institute a civil suit in circuit court to recover a civil penalty for any violation for which the department may issue a notice to cease and desist under subsection (2). The civil penalty shall be in the Class II category pursuant to s. 570.971 for each offense. The court may also award to the prevailing party court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
(4) The violation or disregard of a cease and desist order issued for the purpose of terminating unlicensed pest control activities is a ground for denial of a license or certificate when applied for.
(5) In addition to or in lieu of any remedy provided under subsections (2) and (3), the department may, even in the case of a first offense, impose a fine not less than twice the cost of a pest control business license, but not more than a fine in the Class II category pursuant to s. 570.971, upon a determination by the department that a person is in violation of subsection (1). For the purposes of this subsection, the lapse of a previously issued license for a period of less than 1 year is not considered a violation.
History.—ss. 14, 18, ch. 89-180; ss. 44, 59, ch. 92-203; s. 6, ch. 2003-35; s. 16, ch. 2014-150.

Structure Florida Statutes

Florida Statutes

Title XXXII - Regulation of Professions and Occupations

Chapter 482 - Pest Control

482.011 - Short Title.

482.021 - Definitions.

482.032 - Enforcement.

482.051 - Rules.

482.061 - Inspectors.

482.071 - Licenses.

482.072 - Pest Control Customer Contact Centers.

482.0815 - Permit to Perform Preventive Termite Treatment Services for New Construction Only.

482.091 - Employee Identification Cards.

482.111 - Pest Control Operator’s Certificate.

482.121 - Misuse of Certificate.

482.132 - Qualifications for Examination and Certification.

482.141 - Examinations.

482.151 - Special Identification Card for Performance of Fumigation.

482.152 - Duties of Certified Operator in Charge of Pest Control Activities of Licensee.

482.155 - Limited Certification for Governmental Pesticide Applicators or Private Applicators.

482.156 - Limited Certification for Commercial Landscape Maintenance Personnel.

482.1562 - Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer Application.

482.157 - Limited Certification for Commercial Wildlife Management Personnel.

482.161 - Disciplinary Grounds and Actions; Reinstatement.

482.163 - Responsibility for Pest Control Activities of Employee.

482.165 - Unlicensed Practice of Pest Control; Cease and Desist Order; Injunction; Civil Suit and Penalty.

482.1821 - Closing Pest Control Business Without Providing for Contracts and Liabilities.

482.183 - Limitations.

482.191 - Violation and Penalty.

482.211 - Exemptions.

482.226 - Wood-Destroying Organism Inspection Report; Notice of Inspection or Treatment; Financial Responsibility.

482.2265 - Consumer Information; Notice of Application of Pesticide.

482.2267 - Registry of Persons Requiring Prior Notification of the Application of Pesticides.

482.227 - Guarantees and Warranties.

482.231 - Use of Fogging Machines.

482.2401 - Disposition and Use of Revenues From Fees and Fines.

482.241 - Liberal Interpretation.

482.242 - Preemption.

482.243 - Pest Control Enforcement Advisory Council.