Pest Control Certification Information
The control of pests is a serious business. Pests are responsible for a significant amount of damage to crops and property each year, and protecting these assets requires a level of competence that only a licensed and certified pest control contractor is capable of. There are certain requirements that state and local agencies have for pest control certification.
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Basic Pest Control Certification Information
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The general criteria for certification involving pest control defines who is required to be certified and the type of activity she will engage in. Any person who will use pesticides, or who will supervise the use of pesticides, must be certified to do so. This applies to all categories of pest control activity including agricultural application, aerial spraying, structural pest control, landscaping, aquatic and forest operations and regulatory actions.
State Certification Requirements
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The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) oversees and administers the certification of all pest control operations in the state. It issues a Qualified Applicator Certificate after successful completion of the examinations. Knowledge expectations for each activity engaged in
are specific and thorough. A landscape maintenance operator or employee who will use pesticides must have knowledge of the kinds of pests that affect plants, their biology and their natural enemies. They must also understand pesticide regulations, application methods and equipment as well as the potential hazards pesticides pose to life and property and the emergency response procedures for those hazards. -
Certification Supervision
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Those who become certified as pest control operators and applicators must not only pass examinations, they must engage in the practice of pesticide application according to certification requirements. The state of Florida ensures these practices by sending field supervisors to business locations and job sites where pesticides are stored and used. Part of the field inspector's job is to check on the status of the licenses held by the supervisors and applicators. Applicators must also carry an identification card, and those employees who are involved in fumigation must carry a special identification card identifying them as fumigators.
Business Certification Requirements
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A person or company that wishes to offer commercial pest control services must obtain certification as well as the appropriate licenses. This certification generally refers to the employees of the company who will do the actual pesticide application, yet the company itself may not sell its services unless at least one supervisor or other employee is certified. A certificate of insurance must also be obtained in order to offer commercial services. This certification proves that the policy holder carries enough insurance for coverage in the event of personal injury or property damage.
Other Certification Information
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There are several ways to obtain certification in pest control. Online classes are available that provide course credits toward acceptance for certification application. These credits are required for certification in many states and online classes provided by the University of Florida qualify the student for examination. The university's course in Pest Control Technology provides 24 semester credit hours in entomology and pest control that Florida statute 482 requires for taking a certification examination.
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References
- California Department of Pesticide Regulation: Knowledge Expectations for Landscape Maintenance Pest Control
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Pest Control Section
- Texas Department of Agriculture: Structural Pest Control Business
- University of Florida: Certificate in Pest Control Technology
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