Are you planning to enter the pest control industry? Well, you are in luck because this article will discuss how to become a pest control technician.
To be a pesticide technician, you do not need a college degree, but all states require pest control technicians to have a license. However, do note that each state has different requirements for pest control technicians.
A pest control technician handles a lot of toxic chemicals that can repel pests but are also harmful to humans, so ensuring the safety of the clients and the pest control technician itself is crucial.
Since a pest control technician can put an individual’s life at stake in one wrong move, the government has to ensure that only trained and licensed pest control technicians are allowed to take on the job.
Job Description Of A Pest Control Technician
The job of a pest control technician includes:
- A thorough inspection of the residence is necessary to check for any damage and the level of infestation.
- Following the trail of insects to the nest.
- Following the rules of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they use industrial-strength chemical pesticides that are not available to the public market due to their toxicity.
- Safe use of chemicals and equipment and cleaning up the area once the job is done.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Follow through to make sure that the fix is not temporary.
- Keep a record of the chemicals that are used, issue a receipt, and bill for services.
You can also check out this article from us if you are interested: what is a pest control technician..
How Much Do Pest Control Technicians Make?
The salary of a pest control technician depends on several variables, such as experience, qualification, and location. Each state has a different hourly average rate; some are higher than others.
The national average hourly rate for a pest control technician is $18.10per hour. The state that offers the highest average hourly rate is Alaska, offering $20.74, while the state with the lowest average hourly rate is Utah, offering $13.65.
Growth Trend For Pest Control Technician
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that pest control jobs through 2028 will have a 7% growth rate, which is better than most occupations. Due to this change, 5,800 new pest control job opportunities can be created.
According to this data, we can say that the pest control industry is growing. Because of this, the demand for pest control services will also increase.
Do You Need A Degree To Become A Pest Control Technician?
To be a pest control technician, you do not need a degree from college. However, one should finish a series of training, a high school diploma or a GED, a good driving record, and get some part-time experience for you to have an entry-level job.
To be an official pest control technician, you need to pass a licensure exam. The requirements for the exam differ from state to state, so you should check with your state’s pest control licensing board for the information.
How To Be A Licensed Pest Control Technician
Here are easy steps for you to take on how to get pest control license.
Step #1. Complete high school
Although a college degree is not required to be a pest control technician, you do have to finish high school for this. In accordance with BLS, a high school diploma, or anything of equal value, is needed to enter the pest control industry.
Step #2. Enroll in a pest control technician training program
In order for you to become a pest control technician, you need to have completed a proper training course. Due to each state having different licensing requirements, you can receive the training program at:
- Community colleges,
- University extension program,
- Pest control training centers, and
- Technical centers.
It takes up to 3 months for an individual to finish taking the pest control training course.
Step #3. Get on-the-job training
Once you have completed your training course, the next thing you want to accomplish is on-the-job training. You will work as an apprentice or be under the direct supervision of a licensed pest control technician.
Another thing is that some pest control companies offer both on-the-job training and classroom education towards certification. When applying to this course, you do not need to have pest control training.
Do note that each state has different requirements for training, and you should look that up.
Step #4. Take a licensure certification test
Once you have completed steps 1-3, you are now ready to take the licensure certification test to be legally a pest control technician.
The exam includes various topics, such as a comprehensive test regarding pesticide and pest knowledge, diagnosing various pest situations efficiently, and prescribing, implementing, and recommending appropriate pest treatment.
Conclusion
After reading the whole article about how to become a pest control technician, you can now consider this as a job opportunity. As pest control offers more job opportunities in the future, it is best to know what options you have in the future.
We hope this article serves its purpose for you and has given you the information and knowledge you are looking for.