Plant Permits for Research and Education

View frequently asked questions about plant permits for research and education.

Program Resources

Leroy Whilby, DPM
Bureau Chief of Entomology, Nematology and Plant Pathology
1-888-397-1517 Helpline
(352) 395-4600 (Helpline Number, Outside of the United States)
DPIHelpline@FDACS.gov

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Plant Industry
The Doyle Conner Building
1911 SW 34th St.
Gainesville, FL 32608

Laws and Regulations

Florida Statutes
Chapters: 369, 581

Florida Administrative Code
Chapter: 5B-57

Research and education programs that would like to work with noxious weeds, invasive species or prohibited aquatic plants must to obtain a permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). This page contains information about the permitting process.

Two types of plants require permits for collecting or harvesting in Florida:

Plants listed as noxious weeds that require controls and
Native plants that require protection.

For research or education programs on noxious weeds and invasive species or prohibited aquatic plants:

Complete and submit an Application and Permit to Move Organisms Regulated by the State of Florida[ ].

For research on Florida’s endangered species:

Complete and submit a Request for Permit to Harvest Endangered or Commercially Exploited Plant(s) or Plant Part(s)[ ].

To learn more about the permitting process, select a question below to expand the answer.

How do I find out which species require a permit?

First, determine if the plant you want to collect for research or education is regulated by the state of Florida by checking the following lists:

Note: Federal noxious weeds require a federal permit for transport across state lines. If you need to import regulated plant species from other states or from outside the country, see the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website.

How do I apply for a permit?

To apply for a permit to harvest endangered or commercially exploited plants, see the information regarding harvesting native plants.

To apply for a permit to collect or cultivate regulated weed species, complete our Application and Permit to Move Organisms Regulated by the State of Florida[ ] on which you are asked to explain where the plant material needed for your research will come from, how the material will be transported safely, how the plants will be prevented from escaping, and how any remaining plant material will be disposed of after the project ends. Send the application to the address on the form.

View Sample and Instructions for Filling out FDACS-08208 — Application and Permit to Move Organisms Regulated by the State of Florida [ 1.1 MB ] .

Are additional permits required if you plan to collect regulated native plants for propagation or sale?

Yes, all plants are considered nursery stock and you must register as a nursery with FDACS before selling or distributing plants.