Professional Licenses
Click on a tab below to read about licenses offered by DPR (Department of Pesticide Regulation) or the SPCB (Structural Pest Control Board). Under California Fish and Game Code 4005, professionals are also required to possess a trapping license.
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DPR
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SPCB
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The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) distributes several licenses to professionals in the pest management industry:
Pest Control Adviser (PCA)
An Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) is any person who offers a recommendation on any agricultural use, holds himself/herself as an authority on any agricultural use, or solicits services or sales for any agricultural use. A PCA cannot apply restricted use materials unless they possess another license that allows them to do so.
You must meet the minimum qualifications listed before you can take the agricultural pest control adviser (PCA) licensing examinations. These requirements include, but are not limited to, a Bachelor’s degree in the agricultural sciences, Biological sciences, natural sciences and/or pest management.
Qualified Applicators License (QAL)
A QAL is required if you apply or supervise the application of federally restricted use pesticides or state restricted materials for any purpose or on any property other than that provided by the definition of private applicator. A QAL is also needed if you supervise the pesticide applications made by a licensed pest control business and are responsible for its safe and legal operation.
Qualified Applicators Certificate (QAC)
Any person who uses or supervises the use of federally restricted use pesticides or State restricted materials for any purpose or on any property other than that provided by the definition of “private applicator” must possess a QAC.
Private Applicator
Private applicators are individuals who use or supervise the use of a pesticide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity as defined by Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, section 171.2(a)(5) on property owned, leased, or rented by him/her or his/her employer. A private applicator can also be defined as a householder who uses or supervises the use of a pesticide outside the confines of a residential dwelling for the purpose of controlling ornamental, plant, or turf pests on residential property owned, leased, or rented by that householder.
Pest Control Adviser (PCA)
An Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) is any person who offers a recommendation on any agricultural use, holds himself/herself as an authority on any agricultural use, or solicits services or sales for any agricultural use. A PCA cannot apply restricted use materials unless they possess another license that allows them to do so.
You must meet the minimum qualifications listed before you can take the agricultural pest control adviser (PCA) licensing examinations. These requirements include, but are not limited to, a Bachelor’s degree in the agricultural sciences, Biological sciences, natural sciences and/or pest management.
Qualified Applicators License (QAL)
A QAL is required if you apply or supervise the application of federally restricted use pesticides or state restricted materials for any purpose or on any property other than that provided by the definition of private applicator. A QAL is also needed if you supervise the pesticide applications made by a licensed pest control business and are responsible for its safe and legal operation.
Qualified Applicators Certificate (QAC)
Any person who uses or supervises the use of federally restricted use pesticides or State restricted materials for any purpose or on any property other than that provided by the definition of “private applicator” must possess a QAC.
Private Applicator
Private applicators are individuals who use or supervise the use of a pesticide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity as defined by Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, section 171.2(a)(5) on property owned, leased, or rented by him/her or his/her employer. A private applicator can also be defined as a householder who uses or supervises the use of a pesticide outside the confines of a residential dwelling for the purpose of controlling ornamental, plant, or turf pests on residential property owned, leased, or rented by that householder.
The Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) provides three different types of licenses to professional pest managers. These SPCB licensed professionals are allowed to work within one of three branches:
Applicator
A structural pest control applicator is any individual who is licensed by the board to apply a pesticide, rodenticide, or allied chemicals or substances for the purpose of eliminating, exterminating, controlling, or preventing infestation or infections of pests or organisms included in Branch 2 or Branch 3 on behalf of a registered company. A structural pest control Applicator shall not contract for pest control work or perform pest control work on his or her own behalf.
The Applicator license is the Board's entry level license. Many will begin working in the industry as an Applicator, but it is not required to hold an Applicator license before becoming licensed as a Field Representative.
Field Representative
A structural pest control field representative is any individual who is licensed by the board to secure structural pest control work, identify infestations or infections, make inspections, apply pesticides, submit bids for or otherwise contract, on behalf of a registered company. A pest control field representative shall not contract for pest control work or perform pest control work on his or her own behalf.
A Field Representative can be licensed in Branch 1, Branch 2, and/or Branch 3 and can only perform work while working for a registered structural pest control company.
Operator
A structural pest control Operator is any individual who is licensed by the board to secure structural pest control work, identify infestations or infections, make inspections, submit bids for or otherwise contract, in behalf of a registered company. A pest control Operator shall not contract for pest control work or perform pest control work on his or her own behalf.
An Operator performs the same duties of a Field Representative except that an Operator can own and operate their own company or act as a qualifying manager for another owner. An Operator can be licensed in Branch 1, Branch 2, and/or Branch 3.
- Branch 1 - permits the control of household and wood-destroying pests or organisms by fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases.
- Branch 2 - permits the control of household pests excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases.
- Branch 3 - permits the control of wood-destroying pests or organisms by the use of insecticides or structural repairs and corrections, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases.
Applicator
A structural pest control applicator is any individual who is licensed by the board to apply a pesticide, rodenticide, or allied chemicals or substances for the purpose of eliminating, exterminating, controlling, or preventing infestation or infections of pests or organisms included in Branch 2 or Branch 3 on behalf of a registered company. A structural pest control Applicator shall not contract for pest control work or perform pest control work on his or her own behalf.
The Applicator license is the Board's entry level license. Many will begin working in the industry as an Applicator, but it is not required to hold an Applicator license before becoming licensed as a Field Representative.
Field Representative
A structural pest control field representative is any individual who is licensed by the board to secure structural pest control work, identify infestations or infections, make inspections, apply pesticides, submit bids for or otherwise contract, on behalf of a registered company. A pest control field representative shall not contract for pest control work or perform pest control work on his or her own behalf.
A Field Representative can be licensed in Branch 1, Branch 2, and/or Branch 3 and can only perform work while working for a registered structural pest control company.
Operator
A structural pest control Operator is any individual who is licensed by the board to secure structural pest control work, identify infestations or infections, make inspections, submit bids for or otherwise contract, in behalf of a registered company. A pest control Operator shall not contract for pest control work or perform pest control work on his or her own behalf.
An Operator performs the same duties of a Field Representative except that an Operator can own and operate their own company or act as a qualifying manager for another owner. An Operator can be licensed in Branch 1, Branch 2, and/or Branch 3.