If you keep bees in Florida, you register

The state does not treat a backyard hive as a hobby that lives off the books. Colony count does not get you out of it.

People keeping bees in Florida register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. Certificates renew annually, on or before the anniversary. FDACS says the firm number goes on the upper left-hand corner of the hive, letters at least half an inch. Residential hives use movable frames.

How you file, what you pay, and how inspection works live on their site. Those numbers move. Fee tables stay on the FDACS page.

FDACS beekeeper registration https://www.fdacs.gov/BeekeeperRegistration

Bees and apiary, same division https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Bees-Apiary

Apiary inspector directory https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Office-Locations/Apiary-Inspector-Directory

File on the FDACS page. The journal points; the registrar is the Division of Plant Industry.