Board hears OPES on exam development; directs staff to explore updated occupational analysis and criterion‑referenced passing score

The Structural Pest Control Board heard a detailed presentation from the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Professional Examination Services on how licensing examinations are developed, and the board directed staff to begin exploring an updated occupational analysis for the applicator examination and the feasibility of moving from a fixed passing score set by regulation to a criterion‑referenced passing score.

The Office of Professional Examination Services presentation laid out the standard, multi‑stage process for creating and validating licensure exams and emphasized that examinations must be linked to the actual tasks and knowledge required on the job. “The purpose of licensing is to identify individuals who can do their work safely and competently so that the public is protected from harm,” said Heidi Linser, chief of the Office of Professional Examination Services. The DCA requirement in Business and Professions Code section 139 that boards conduct an occupational analysis every five to seven years was cited as a driver of the recommended updates.

The nut of the board's decision was practical: OPES recommended the applicator occupational analysis be updated and advised the board to consider criterion‑referenced standard setting for passing scores. Tracy Montez, division chief of…