106-65.25. Phases of structural pest control; prohibited acts; license required; exceptions.

(a) The Committee shall classify license phases to be issued under this Article. Separate phases or subphases shall be specified for:

(1) Control of household pests by any method other than fumigation ("P" phase);

(2) Control of wood-destroying organisms by any method other than fumigation ("W" phase); and

(3) Fumigation ("F" phase).

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(1) Advertise as, offer to engage in, or engage in or supervise work as a manager, owner, or owner-operator in any phase of structural pest control or otherwise act in the capacity of a structural pest control licensee unless the person is licensed pursuant to this Article or has engaged the services of a licensee as a full-time regular employee who is responsible for the structural pest control performed by the company. A license is required for each phase of structural pest control.

(2) Hold more than one license for each phase of structural pest control.

(3) Use a restricted use pesticide in any phase of structural pest control, whether it be on the person's own property or on the property of another, unless the person:

a. Qualifies as a certified applicator for that phase of structural pest control; or

b. Is under the direct supervision of a certified applicator who possesses a valid certified applicator's identification card for that phase of structural pest control.

(4) Use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides in demonstrating or supervising a demonstration to the public of the proper use and techniques of the application of pesticides or conducting field research with pesticides unless:

a. The person possesses a valid certified applicator's identification card;

b. The person is conducting laboratory research involving restricted use pesticides; or

c. The person is a doctor of medicine or a doctor of veterinary medicine applying restricted use pesticides as drugs or medication during the course of his or her normal professional practice.

This subdivision applies to all persons, including cooperative extension specialists demonstrating pesticide products, individuals demonstrating methods used in public programs, and local, State, federal, commercial, and other persons conducting field research on or using restricted use pesticides.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any licensee to do any of the following:

(1) Establish, be in charge of, or manage any branch office in excess of the number of branch offices that may be established, supervised, or managed by a licensee as set forth in rules adopted by the Committee.

(2) Fail to supervise the structural pest control performed out of the licensee's home office or any branch office under the licensee's management.

(3) Allow his or her license to be used by any person or company for which he or she is not a full-time regular employee actively and personally engaged in the supervision of the structural pest control performed under the license.

(4) Use any pesticide, material, or device prohibited by the Committee or use any approved pesticide, material, or device in a manner prohibited by the Committee.

(5) Use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides in a phase of structural pest control for which the person is not licensed or qualified as a certified applicator unless the person's use is under the supervision of a licensee or certified applicator certified in that phase of structural pest control.

(c1) The Committee shall adopt rules that permit a licensee to establish branch offices in addition to a home office. In no event shall the rules adopted restrict the number of branch offices a licensee can establish, supervise, or manage to fewer than two branch offices. The rules shall include provisions to ensure that the licensee can adequately supervise all structural pest control performed from the offices and under his or her license.

(d) A license is not required for any person (or the person's full-time regular employees) doing structural pest control on the person's own property. No fee may be charged for structural pest control performed by any such person.

(e), (f) Repealed by Session Laws 1999-381, s. 3.

(g) Any person issued a license for any one or any combination of the phases of structural pest control shall be deemed to be a "certified applicator" to use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides so long as the pesticides are being used only in the phase of structural pest control for which the person is licensed.

(h) Licenses and certified applicator's identification cards may only be issued to individuals. License certificates and certified applicator's identification cards shall be issued in the name of the individual, shall bear the name and address of the individual's business or employer's business and shall indicate the phase or phases for which the individual is qualified and such other information as the Committee may specify.