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Pest industry leaders press board to review applicator exam, speed license renewals
Summary
Multiple pest control companies, industry groups and a UC advisor told the Structural Pest Control Board that the state applicator exam is blocking entry-level hires and lengthening license renewals. The board said the issue is already scheduled for an October meeting and a closed-session discussion with exam contractors.
Industry representatives testifying at the Structural Pest Control Board meeting on July 26 urged the board to review the state applicator examination and to speed up license-renewal processing.
The concerns centered on high failure rates for the applicator exam and the resulting difficulty small companies face getting new hires into productive, supervised field work. "When I started in this industry in 1979, the applicator's exam was a exam that we actually took in our manager's office. And it was based on safety," said John Bernard, owner and qualified manager of Compass Pest Management. Bernard said trainees often spend months idle while attempting to pass the exam, lose interest and leave the trade.
The complaints were echoed by Chris Reardon, who identified himself to the board as representing the Pest Control Operators of California, and by Cliff Utley, a long-time pest control worker in San Bernardino. Brian McQueen of Target Specialty Products described employers' costs for hiring and training new staff who then fail the exam. Sivas Taravati, a University of California IPM adviser, told the board his group has proposed creating a single, California-specific study guide and is willing to help develop it.
Speakers urged the board to consider narrowing exam scope for entry-level applicators, improving study materials, and reviewing rules that limit how long trainees may work in the field while awaiting exam results. Several speakers said they were not asking to make tests simply easier, but to ensure the exam aligns with entry-level duties and safety training. Cliff Utley said, "...this test should be based on label reading, safety, special maybe the equipment we use. It should be very narrow, very specialized." John Bernard suggested the board help produce a study guide so community colleges can develop targeted vocational courses.
Board staff and members acknowledged the concern and outlined next steps on the record. Susan (staff) said the issue is already scheduled for the board's October meeting and that new board members will meet with the Office of Professional Examination Services in closed session to discuss the exam contractor and exam development. The board did not take a final action at the July meeting.
The testimony also included requests for information on license-renewal delays and possible bottlenecks in processing. Chris Reardon offered industry cooperation on both the examination and renewal issues.
The board did not adopt policy changes during the session; staff said the matter will return to a future public agenda with updates expected after the October meeting and the closed-session discussions with the exam contractor.
