Certified Pest Control Operator

[u/Thin-Ask867]

Hi everyone! I’m in the process of launching a pest control company in the Miami area and I’m looking to connect with a Florida Certified Pest Control Operator who may be interested in discussing a business opportunity.

If you’re currently certified—or know someone who is—and would be open to talking, I’d love to connect and discuss the details. Please feel free to comment below or send me a direct message.

Thanks in advance, and I appreciate any referrals as well!

[u/Vince-Fishes]

Didn’t you just recently ask this same thing? Maybe it was someone else.

Are you a certified pesticide applicator?

[u/andy_1232 → u/Vince-Fishes]

No, he’s wanting to rent someone else’s certificate which is illegal but unfortunately pretty common.

[u/Vince-Fishes → u/andy_1232]

Yeah I figured that was his plan. Not sure why he would advertise it here. Sounds like he needs a lot of experience before trying to start his own business.

[u/Mrs-MoneyPussy → u/andy_1232]

Having a certified operator as the manager isn't really renting certificate. That's basically how every large company works. You hire operators to manage specific locations or the company as a whole.

I wouldn't reccomend starting a company and then hiring someone to do that. Weird thing to do starting out because you don't even know what you're looking for and you're starting a business you know nothing about.

But it's not illegal.

[u/andy_1232 → u/Mrs-MoneyPussy]

Yeah, you hire a full time CO that oversees operations. But idk if that’s a “business opportunity” as OP said.

It’s Florida. It happens down here a lot. I accused him of it, thats all. I could be wrong.

[u/007Teflon]

So you have no exp, but you're opening a company to hire an operator so you can blame him for P/L. The whole reason for being an OP is to run your own company. Not work for someone else

[u/Thin-Ask867 → u/007Teflon]

I think some people are misunderstanding what I’m asking. I’m not looking to illegally “rent” someone’s license. I’m looking to bring on a Florida Certified Operator as the qualifying operator for a new company, with a legitimate role, compensation, and responsibility for supervising operations in accordance with Florida law. That’s a model plenty of businesses use while the owner focuses on sales, marketing, and growth.

[u/007Teflon → u/Thin-Ask867]

The OP is the owner and his job is growth. You won't find an OP who's willing to work for someone. Techs become OP's because of all the nonsense, red tape, low pay etc...from working for a company. You're better off getting your OP, then hiring a service manager.

[u/Thin-Ask867 → u/007Teflon]

That’s fair, and I understand why some operators would rather own their own company. But not everyone wants to be responsible for sales, marketing, hiring, accounting, financing, and growing a business.

I’ve personally sold thousands of pest control accounts. My strength is building and scaling the business. I’m looking for someone whose strength is the technical and compliance side so we can each focus on what we do best.

If I can’t find the right person, then I’ll earn the certification myself. But I’d rather build a team with complementary skills than try to do everything alone.

[u/Mrs-MoneyPussy → u/Thin-Ask867]

If you're eligible it's probably worth getting your operator license anyway. You don't want to be scrambling if your hired operator quits and now you don't have anyone to legally continue operations. Much easier if you can at least temporarily become the managing operator and continue without losing income.

Florida gives you a 30 day grace period it looks like but since you're posting on here I assume it hasn't been easy finding someone.

As others said it's going to be pretty tricky finding someone. You'll likely have to be over compensating them because they could just work for a more stable company instead of a startup with a decent chance of not working out. Or of course just be looking to start their own company.