How to Become a Certified Pest Control Tech
Pest technician certification varies greatly from state to state. Some states, such as California and Texas, that have large amounts of termite infestation require their technicians to know a great deal about termite treatment. Whereas states such as Washington and Oregon require technicians to have a solid understanding of carpenter ants and how to safely treat for them. The testing process is difficult to complete but is is significantly outweighed by the rewards of being a certified pest technician
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Instructions
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You will first need to be employed by a pest control service company. Most states will require you to be employed with a pest control company or at the very least proof of a job offer before you are able to take any of the technician exams.
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Get the necessary study guides. To be licensed in most states, you will have to take a laws and safety test, a general pest knowledge test and a test on a specific pest or application method. Each state has its own laws and safety regulations in regard to environmental safety. The study materials for these exams will be easily available to you by PDF download from your state's department of agriculture website, or you can call and request printed materials to be sent to you via mail. You will have to pay for more specific study materials.
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Schedule to take the appropriate exam at a state-approved testing center. Some states have a dedicated testing office for professional licensing, whereas many states allow testing at community college testing offices. When you arrive at the testing center, have your state-issued driver's license and the appropriate testing and licensing fee ready. You will also need to specify which tests you plan to take.
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After you complete your exam, it will take anywhere from 48 hours to 1 week to get your test results. A passing grade is usually in the 80th percentile and above. If you fail, you will have two more chances to take the exam. However, if you fail three times, you will have to wait 3 to 6 months to retake the exam. This could severely jeopardize your ability to continue working for your pest control company.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not try to take more than two tests at a time. Start with laws and safety and the general pest exam. The pest- and application-specific exams are much more intensive and will require a lot more preparation beforehand.
