It is necessary to know how to get pest control license in California if you are planning to apply to a pest control company or become a freelancer in that field of expertise. Having a pest control license means that you are reliable and professional in resolving pest issues.
Pests are indeed a problem to humans, this could be destructive in any means. Most pests are insects, rodents, and wild animals that have been infiltrating houses, spoiling food, damaging farms and crops, and the like.
That is why it is essential to hire a licensed pest control operator to exterminate these recurring pest issues. If you are interested to know more about pest control, read this article on how often should pest control be done.
Pest Control
Pests are any organisms that are a natural part of the ecosystem. These pests are commonly referred to as insects, vertebrates, such as mice, rats, and birds, plant like weeds, and even fungi.
Pests usually become a problem when their population increases. In fact, agricultural pests are responsible for major crop damage in all countries, and it has a huge impact on the economy.
In addition, pests may impose health risks as they could cause or carry various diseases. With that, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) established the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to decrease the number of pests capable of threatening human health and properties.
Therefore, the control of pests has been part of sustaining ecological balance and a healthy environment for a long time. Pest control could be in the form of chemical control, biological, physical, or mechanical control methods of eliminating and controlling pests.
The most famous method of controlling pests is through the use of chemicals like pesticides that can either kill or prevent the pests’ growth. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sees pesticides as a future problem of the environment.
On that note, the use of non-chemical-based pesticides and biological control are integrated into pest management to minimize the use of pesticides. Thus, the physical and mechanical method of pest control involves the use of equipment, traps, and even energy.
If you have pest issues on your property, you could seek help from pest control professionals or companies to handle the situation. Then, there is a need for you to know what do pest control companies use in handling pests.
Guide On Getting A Pest Control License In California
Following the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management implemented by the World Health Organization (2015), there are standard guidelines on licensing of public health pest control operators. Conversely, the process of acquiring a pest control license varies depending on already established state guidelines.
California Department of Pesticide Regulation listed the requirements to acquire a pest control business license. At this point, we’ll provide you easy to follow steps for better understanding.
Step #1. Application process
License requirements vary depending on branch designation in California to separate professionals. Pest control licenses could be classified into branch designations, such as applicator, field representative, and operator.
Applicator type of license is given to employees of registered companies with a second or third branch license. Meanwhile, field representatives are specialists holding first or second branch licenses, who are authorized to do pest inspection in their client’s home.
Finally, a license as an operator has the same requirements as field representatives, yet only given to business owners or to manage a pest control company. Thus, the state also grants specialty licenses like pest control dealer designated agent license, agricultural pest control adviser license, and the maintenance gardener pest control business license.
To be able to acquire any of those licenses, you must submit your application for examination via mail. Once your application has been granted, you’ll receive a candidate handbook and examination schedule.
After passing the examination, you can now apply for your license. It is vital to know that the California pest control license application process may vary depending on what type of license you are applying for.
Step #2. Supporting business information and documents
In the issuance of a license, a certificate of insurance must state its compliance to 3 California Code of Regulations (3CCR), section 6524. Additionally, documents such as fictitious business name statements and certificates of good standing only apply to operator licenses, where the company must be registered with the California Secretary of State’s Office.
Step #3. Licensing fee
The application for a pest control license also varies depending on the license branch. Normally, the application fee for examination ranges from $50 – $65, exclusive of training fees which could cost you another $30.
However, applying for a pest control business license could cost you a higher amount of $160 per year and $80 per branch office location.
Conclusion
Pests are easy to handle if you see early visible signs of it. However, pest problems are sometimes too much for a person to handle, which is why there is a need to hire pest control professionals.
Since pest control services are a good earning job and widely recognized, many are interested in obtaining a license. With that, this article on how to get pest control license in California is a great help.