Petitioner Aaron Essert tells board he has two years, eight months of sobriety as he seeks reinstatement of applicator license

Aaron J. Essert, a former licensed structural pest control applicator, told the Structural Pest Control Board during a March 12, 2025, remote hearing that he has been sober since July 1, 2022, and currently helps manage a family pest-control business while participating in daily recovery activities.

The hearing, presided over by Administrative Law Judge Wilbert Bennett of the Office of Administrative Hearings, considered Essert’s petition to reinstate license RA52425. Deputy Attorney General Stephanie Lee presented the petition package and criminal and licensing records, including multiple convictions and prior disciplinary decisions that led to license revocation.

Why it matters: Board reinstatement hearings weigh public safety, the applicant’s rehabilitation and statutory discipline history. Essert’s record shown to the board included convictions and parole/community-supervision violations after his previous petition. The board will not issue a decision at the hearing; it will deliberate in closed session and send its written decision by mail.

What happened: Lee summarized the administrative file and exhibit book that the board had reviewed in advance, noting: earlier probationary licensing in 2011, a 2013 default order that revoked Essert’s license, cost recovery of $3,730, and later criminal case records from Kern County for drug- and paraphernalia-related convictions. Lee asked the board to admit the petition package into evidence; Essert did not object.

Essert testified under oath about his substance use history and recovery. He said a February 2023 overdose involving fentanyl — an event in which his daughter and EMTs found him — was a turning point. He described attending multiple 12‑step meetings every week, working with a sponsor, performing service to others in recovery and receiving a monthly BRAXADA injection for opioid dependence. He said he has paid court-ordered work release and fines, addressed prior court obligations and is currently employed and part-owner of a family pest-control company, Stop and Go Pest Control, where he said he helps with scheduling and training but is limited in field application pending a license.

Deputy Attorney General Lee and board members asked about the timing and nature of Essert’s convictions, parole violations, completion of court-ordered meetings and whether he had taken steps to expunge convictions; Essert said he had consulted a public defender about expungement and intended to pursue it. Essert said he supports repayment of the outstanding board cost recovery and would comply with any probation terms the board requires.

Ending: The record closed at the conclusion of testimony and questioning. Judge Bennett said the board would go into closed session to deliberate and mail its decision. The court reporter estimated 57 pages for the transcript; the hearing ended at about 10:45 a.m.