Beekeeper Registration

Each beekeeper having honey bee colonies in Florida is required by law to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

FDACS registers and inspects honey bee colonies to certify them as:

• Free or substantially free from honey bee pests of regulatory significance and
• Free from unwanted types of honey bees.

How to Register

Step 1: Schedule an Inspection

Honey bees must be inspected by an authorized FDACS representative not more than 12 months preceding the date of application for registration. To schedule an inspection, contact your local apiary inspector.

Step 2: Complete and Submit an Application for Registration

Following your inspection, download and complete an Application for Beekeeping Registration[ ].

Submit your completed application and registration fee:

• Online or
• By mail to: FDACS, P.O. Box 6720, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6720.

Certificate of Registration

Once your application is received, a registration number will be assigned and you should receive your Certificate of Registration within a few weeks. Certificates are processed every Friday.

Renewals

Certificates must be renewed annually on or prior to the anniversary date of the certificate. To renew your registration, complete an Application for Beekeeping Registration[ ].

Submit your completed application and renewal fee:

• Online or
• By mail to: FDACS, P.O. Box 6720, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6720.

Registration and Renewal Fees

Each application for registration or renewal of registration must be accompanied by the proper registration fee based on the total number of colonies operated by the registrant.

• 1-5 colonies: $10
• 6-40 colonies: $20
• 41-200 colonies: $40
• 201-500 colonies: $70
• 501 or more colonies: $100

Late Fee

The penalty fee for late payments is $10. The Certificate of Registration must be renewed before the expiration date.

Identification of Honey Bee Hives

All honey bee hives must be permanently imprinted with the beekeeper's registration number issued by FDACS. The registration number must be written on the upper left-hand corner of the hive in letters at least ½ inch in height.

Beekeepers with honey bee hives branded before Nov. 22, 1988, with a numerical or alphabetical code are not be required to rebrand with the registration number, provided the existing brand is registered with FDACS. This number may be applied with paint, permanent ink marker or any other legible, permanent marking method.

Abandoned Apiaries

Any apiary found without proper identification or registration information shall be considered abandoned. Following a reasonable effort to contact the owner, FDACS will dispose of such equipment following guidelines detailed in Rule 5B-54, Florida Administrative Code.

Apiary Inspection

Each apiary shall be inspected by FDACS at such intervals as the agency deems best for the detection of honey bee pests and unwanted types of honey bees.

Each apiary site must be maintained in such a manner as to allow reasonable access for inspection.

Fees for special inspection services may vary depending on the service requested. For further information, contact your local apiary inspector.

Residential Beekeepers

All apiaries maintained on properties not classified as agricultural must follow best management requirements for maintaining European honey bee colonies on non-agricultural lands, as described in the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement[ ]. All hives must have movable frames.

Certificate of Inspection

A certificate is required:

• On each sale or movement of honey bees within the state unless the hives are branded with the beekeeper's registration number.
• On all out-of-state movements. There will be a $25 fee per certificate issued or special inspection made plus mileage.
• On all shipments moving into Florida from outside the state. This certificate is to be issued by the state of origin.

Quarantine and Destruction or Treatment of Infested Hives

All hives found infested with American foulbrood disease will be destroyed by burning. Other hives in the bee yard will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days. Compensation will be paid at half the estimated equipment value, not to exceed $30 for the first 10 hives, after which payment will be discounted. If the disease rate exceeds 50% of the total colony inventory, payment will be discounted 50 percent.

Hives infested with other related honey bee pests and any unwanted types of honey bees shall be quarantined and treated as prescribed by FDACS. No compensation will be awarded for such action.

Penalties for Violating Florida's Honey Bee Law

Violation of the provisions of Chapter 586, Florida Statutes, is, for the first offense, a first-degree misdemeanor, and, for subsequent offenses, a third-degree felony. FDACS may, after notice and hearing, impose a fine not exceeding $5,000 for the violation of any of the provisions of this law or rules thereunder.