ARTICLE 4. Issuance of Licenses [8560. - 8572.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 4.

in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8560. Section 8560.

(a) Licenses issued to operators, field representatives, or applicators shall be limited to the branch or branches of pest control for which the applicant has qualified by application and examination. (b) For the purpose of delimiting the type and character of work authorized by the various branch licenses, the practice of pest control is classified into the following branches: (1) Branch 1. Fumigation. The practice relating to the control of household and wood-destroying pests or organisms by fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. (2) Branch 2. General pest. The practice relating to the control of household pests, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. (3) Branch 3. Termite. The practice relating to the control of wood-destroying pests or organisms by the use of insecticides, or structural repairs and corrections, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. (c) The board may issue a license for a combination of two or more branches for which an applicant qualifies under the provisions of this chapter, and the combination license shall be considered one license. (d) Unless otherwise authorized by the board, all examinations shall be supplied by the board. All examinations shall be kept for a period of one year, upon the expiration of which these records may be destroyed on order of the board. Each applicant for license as an operator or a field representative shall be designated by a number instead of by name, and the identity thereof shall not be disclosed until the examinations are graded. A person shall not be admitted to the examination room except members of the board, the examining personnel, and the applicants. (e) The board shall make rules and regulations for the purpose of securing fair, impartial, and proper examinations. (f) Licensees may be licensed in other branches upon complying with the requirements for qualification and by examination in those other branches. A failure of the licensee to pass examination in the other branch or branches shall not have any effect on existing licenses. (g) The examination shall be in each of the subjects specified in the branch or branches relating to the respective applications. A license according to the applications shall be granted to any applicant who shall make a general average of not less than 70 percent on each of the subjects of the branch or branches.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8561. Section 8561.

Any individual 18 years of age or over may apply for a license as an operator. The applicant shall possess the qualifications and be examined as hereinafter prescribed. The applicant shall apply to the board for the issuance of an operator’s license within one year of passing the examination.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8562. Section 8562.

(a) To obtain an original operator’s license, an applicant shall submit to the registrar an application containing the statement that the applicant desires the issuance of an operator’s license under the terms of this chapter. (b) The application shall be made on forms prescribed by the board and issued by the registrar in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board, and shall contain the following: (1) The name of the applicant. (2) Proof satisfactory to the board that the applicant has had actual experience for a period of not less than the time specified opposite the branches of pest control listed below in the employ of a registered company in the State of California in the particular branch or branches of pest control for which the applicant desires to be licensed, or the equivalent of that experience: Branch 1 2 years Branch 2 2 years Branch 3 4 years (c) For the purpose of this subdivision one year shall equal 1,600 hours of actual experience in the field. (d) A designation of the branch or branches for which the application is made. (e) The fees prescribed by this chapter. (f) No operator’s license shall be issued to an individual under 18 years of age. (g) Effective January 1, 1993, an operator’s license shall not be issued to an individual unless that individual has been licensed as a field representative in the branch in which the individual has applied for an operator’s license for a period of at least one year, in the case of Branches 1 and 2, or for a period of at least two years for Branch 3, or has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board that he or she has the equivalent of that training and experience.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8563. Section 8563.

Any individual 18 years of age or over may apply for a license as field representative. The applicant shall possess the qualifications and be examined as hereinafter prescribed. The applicant shall apply to the board for the issuance of a field representative’s license within one year from the date the applicant passes the examination.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8564. Section 8564.

(a) To obtain an original field representative’s license, an applicant shall submit to the registrar an application containing a statement that the applicant desires the issuance of a field representative’s license under the terms of this chapter. (b) The application shall be made on a form prescribed by the board and issued by the registrar in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board, and shall contain the following: (1) The length of time during which the applicant has engaged in any work relating to pest control. (2) The name and place of business of the person who last employed him or her. (3) The name of the person by whom the applicant is employed. (4) The name of the registered company by which the applicant is to be employed. (5) The fees prescribed by this chapter. (c) The board shall not accept any application for a field representative’s license in Branch 1 unless the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that he or she has had six months’ training and experience in the practice of fumigating with poisonous or lethal gases under the immediate supervision of an individual licensed to practice fumigating, or the equivalent of that training and experience. (d) The board shall not accept any application for a field representative’s license in Branch 2 unless the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that he or she has had training and experience in the practice of pesticide application, Branch 2 pest identification and biology, pesticide application equipment, and pesticide hazards and safety practice under the immediate supervision of an operator or field representative licensed in Branch 2, or the equivalent of that training and experience. (e) The board shall not accept any application for a field representative’s license in Branch 3 unless the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that he or she has had training and experience in the practice of pesticide application, Branch 3 pest identification and biology, pesticide application equipment, pesticide hazards and safety practices, structural repairs, and structural inspection procedures and report writing under the immediate supervision of an operator or field representative licensed in Branch 3, or the equivalent of that training and experience.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8564.5. Section 8564.5.

(a) Any individual 18 years of age or older may apply for a license as an applicator. (b) The board shall ascertain by written examination that an applicant for a license as applicator in Branch 2 or Branch 3 has sufficient knowledge in pesticide equipment, pesticide mixing and formulation, pesticide application procedures and pesticide label directions. (c) Passage of the written examination authorizes an individual to apply any chemical substance in Branch 2 or Branch 3. (d) The board may charge a fee for any examination required by this section in an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable regulatory cost of administering the examination, but not to exceed the amount set forth in subdivision (k) of Section 8674. (e) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit an applicator, authorized to apply any chemical substance in Branch 2 or Branch 3 before January 1, 1995, from acting as an applicator pursuant to that authorization. Upon expiration of the authorization, an applicator’s license shall be required.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8564.6. Section 8564.6.

(a) To obtain an original applicator’s license, an applicant shall submit to the registrar an application containing a statement that the applicant requests the issuance of an applicator’s license under the terms of this chapter. (b) The application shall be made on a form prescribed by the board and issued by the registrar in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board and shall contain the following: (1) The name of the registered company by which the applicant is to be employed. (2) The fee prescribed by this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8565. Section 8565.

The board shall ascertain by examination that an applicant for a license as operator is qualified in the use and understanding of all of the following: (a) The English language, including reading and writing. (b) The building and safety laws of the state and any of its political subdivisions, if the branch or branches of pest control for which he or she is applying, require that knowledge. (c) The labor laws of the state. (d) The provisions of this chapter. (e) Pesticides used in pest control, if the branch license or licenses for which he or she is applying, require that knowledge. (f) The theory and practice of the branch or branches of pest control in which the applicant desires to be licensed. (g) Other state laws, safety or health measures, or practices that are reasonably within the scope of structural pest control in the various branches, including an applicant’s knowledge of the requirements regarding health effects and restrictions on applications, as set forth in Section 8538.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8565.5. Section 8565.5.

(a) An applicant for a Branch 1 operator’s license shall demonstrate to the board that he or she has passed satisfactorily board-approved courses in the following areas: (1) Pesticides. (2) Pest identification and biology. (3) Contract law. (4) Rules and regulations. (5) Business practices. (6) Fumigation safety. (b) An applicant for a Branch 2 operator’s license shall demonstrate to the board that he or she has passed satisfactorily board-approved courses in the following areas: (1) Pesticides. (2) Pest identification and biology. (3) Contract law. (4) Rules and regulations. (5) Business practices. (c) An applicant for a Branch 3 operator’s license shall demonstrate to the board that he or she has passed satisfactorily board-approved courses in the following areas: (1) Pesticides. (2) Pest identification and biology. (3) Contract law. (4) Rules and regulations. (5) Business practices. (6) Construction repair and preservation techniques.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8566. Section 8566.

The board shall ascertain by examination that an applicant for a license as field representative is qualified in the use and understanding of the following: (a) The safety laws of the state, if the branch or branches of pest control for which he or she is applying, require that knowledge. (b) The provisions of this chapter. (c) Pesticides used in pest control, if the branch or branches of pest control for which he or she is applying, require that knowledge. (d) The theory and practice of pest control in the branch or branches thereof for which the applicant desires to be licensed. (e) Other state laws, safety or health measures, or practices as are reasonably within the scope of structural pest control in the various branches.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8566.5. Section 8566.5.

An individual shall be permitted to hold only one license in the same branch at the same time. If an individual who holds an operator’s license requests to be licensed as a field representative or applicator, he or she may apply for a field representative’s license or applicator’s license and shall be granted the license without examination, if he or she surrenders his or her operator’s license to the board, and provided that no disciplinary action has been initiated against the operator’s license prior to the date of the individual’s application for a field representative’s license or applicator’s license. If an individual who holds a field representative’s license requests to be licensed as an applicator, he or she may apply for an applicator’s license and he or she shall be granted the license without examination, if he or she surrenders his or her field representative’s license to the board, and if no disciplinary action has been initiated against the field representative’s license prior to the date of the individual’s application for an applicator’s license.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8567. Section 8567.

(a) Should a field representative or applicator change his or her employment, or should an operator enter the employ of a registered company, or being already employed by a registered company change his or her employment, or being employed by a registered company leave that employment and enter the pest control business on his or her own behalf, he or she shall notify the registrar on a form prescribed by the board and issued by the registrar in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board. The registrar shall register the change in his or her records. (b) If a field representative, operator, or applicator fails to notify the registrar within 30 days of the date a change of employment occurs, a registered company may notify the registrar, on a form prescribed by the board, that the field representative, operator, or applicator is no longer associated with the registered company.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8568. Section 8568.

After a hearing the board may deny a license or a company registration unless the applicant makes a showing satisfactory to the board that the applicant, if an individual, has not, or if the applicant is a company applying for a company registration, that its manager and each of its officers, directors, employees, members and partners have not: (a) Committed any act or crime constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. (b) While unlicensed or not registered, knowingly committed or aided and abetted the commission of any act for which a license or company registration is required under this chapter. (c) While acting as a partner, officer, managing employee, or qualifying manager of a firm, partnership, or corporation, had knowledge of and participated in the commission of any act resulting in the suspension or revocation of a license or company registration. When a hearing is held under this section it shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the board shall have all of the powers granted therein.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8569. Section 8569.

In addition to the partner or other individual designated as the qualifying manager for a registered company which is organized as a partnership, if any of the company’s partners desire to actively engage in pest control on behalf of the partnership each shall be required to qualify for and to be licensed as an operator or field representative. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any partner who is duly qualified and licensed in one or more of the branches of pest control designated in Section 8560, from representing the partnership in any other branch of pest control for which the partnership is registered, except that he or she may actively engage in pest control as an operator or field representative only in the branch for which he or she is qualified and licensed. Upon being licensed as an operator or field representative, the other partner may engage in pest control only on behalf of the partnership of which he or she is a member, as long as he or she remains a partner thereof, but he or she may become associated with another partnership, or with a firm or corporation, in a capacity other than as a qualifying manager.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8570. Section 8570.

In addition to the officer or other individual designated as the qualifying manager for a registered company which is organized as an association or corporation, if any of the company’s other officers desire to actively engage in pest control in behalf of the association or corporation, each shall be required to qualify for and to be licensed as an operator or field representative. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any officer of such corporation who is duly qualified and licensed in one or more of the branches of pest control designated in Section 8560, from representing the corporation in any other branch of pest control for which the corporation is registered, except that he or she may actively engage in pest control as an operator or field representative only in the branch for which he or she is qualified and licensed. Upon being licensed as an operator or field representative, the officer may engage in pest control only on behalf of the association or corporation of which he or she is an officer, so long as he or she remains an officer thereof, but he or she may become associated with another association or corporation, or with a firm or partnership, in a capacity other than as a qualifying manager.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8571. Section 8571.

If the licensed operator who is designated as the qualifying manager for a registered company ceases for any reason whatsoever to be connected with the company, the company shall notify the registrar in writing within 10 days from such cessation. If the notice is given the registration shall remain in force for a reasonable length of time, to be determined by rules of the board, during which period the company must submit to the registrar in writing the name of another qualified, or to be qualified, qualifying manager to replace the qualifying manager who has ceased to be connected with it, and who shall qualify as such within the time allowed by rules and regulations of the board. If the company fails to notify the registrar within the 10-day period, or fails to replace with a qualifying manager within the period fixed by the regulations of the board, at the end of the period the registration shall be ipso facto suspended. The registration shall be reinstated upon the filing of an affidavit, executed by a representative of the company, and filed with the registrar, to the effect that the qualifying manager who ceased to be connected with the company has been replaced by another operator who is authorized by this chapter to act in such capacity, and that such operator has not had his or her license suspended or revoked or that he or she has not been connected with a company which has had its registration suspended or revoked.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 8572. Section 8572.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may, in its sole discretion, issue a probationary license to an applicant subject to terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the board, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) Continuing medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment. (2) Ongoing participation in a specified rehabilitation program. (3) Abstention from the use of alcohol or drugs. (4) Compliance with all provisions of this chapter. (b) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and for purposes of this section, when deciding whether to issue a probationary license, the board shall request that an applicant with a dismissed conviction provide proof of that dismissal and shall give special consideration to applicants whose convictions have been dismissed pursuant to Section 1203.4 or 1203.4a of the Penal Code. (2) The board shall also take into account and consider any other reasonable documents or individual character references provided by the applicant that may serve as evidence of rehabilitation as deemed appropriate by the board. (c) The board may modify or terminate the terms and conditions imposed on the probationary license upon receipt of a petition from the applicant or licensee. (d) For purposes of issuing a probationary license to qualified new applicants, the board shall develop standard terms of probation that shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) A three-year limit on the individual probationary license. (2) A process to obtain a standard license for applicants who were issued a probationary license. (3) Supervision requirements. (4) Compliance and quarterly reporting requirements.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026