California Code of Regulations (Title 3. Food and Agriculture)
Division 6. Pesticides and Pest Control Operations
Division 6. Pesticides and Pest Control Operations
Chapter 3. Pest Control Operations
Subchapter 1. Licensing
Article 3. Qualified Applicators
6530. Categories and Examinations.
Applicants may qualify by examination to work in one or more of the following categories:
(a) Category A - Residential, Industrial and Institutional Pest Control
(1) Perform pest control for:
(A) Residential or home use;
(B) Industrial use; or
(C) Institutional use.
(2) This category does not include landscape maintenance pest control for hire covered under (b); use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant; or structural pest control required to be licensed under Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 8500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b) Category B - Landscape Maintenance Pest Control
(1) Perform pest control in:
(A) The maintenance of preexisting, planted, or artificial ornamental plants and turf surrounding areas such as residences, parks, streets, and commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
(2) This category does not include direct application to running or standing water, or the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(c) Category C - Right- of- Way Pest Control
(1) Perform pest control in:
(A) The maintenance of rights-of-way, including but not limited to roadsides, power lines, telephone lines, pipelines, canals, and railways.
(2) This category does not include direct application to running or standing water, or the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(d) Category D - Agricultural Pest Control (plant)
(1) Perform pest control in:
(A) The production of an agricultural commodity;
(B) Rangelands, pastures, and grasslands; or
(C) Non-crop agricultural lands which will not in the foreseeable future be used to grow food, feed, or fiber crops, or to pasture animals; this includes but is not limited to wildlands, farm roads and shoulders, ditches, and on-farm equipment yards.
(2) This category does not include applications to running or standing water, other than rice and similar crops grown in wet or flooded fields, or the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(e) Category E - Forest Pest Control
(1) Perform pest control in:
(A) Forests, forest nurseries, and forest seed-producing areas, including preparation for forest planting, conifer release, brush control projects, and stump treatment.
(2) This category does not include direct applications to running or standing water, or the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(f) Category F - Aquatic Pest Control
(1) Perform pest control in:
(A) Standing or running water.
(2) This category does not include pest control covered under subsections (d), (g), (j), or (k).
(g) Category G - Regulatory Pest Control
(1) Perform pest control in:
(A) Government-sponsored programs for the control of regulated pests. “Regulated pest” means a particular species of pest subject to state or federal regulatory restrictions, regulations, or control procedures intended to protect hosts, humans, or the environment.
(2) This category does not include health related pest control covered under (k) or the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(h) Category H - Seed Treatment
(1) Use pesticides on seeds in seed treatment facilities.
(2) This category does not include the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(i) Category I - Agricultural Pest Control (animal)
(1) Perform pest control:
(A) On animals or in facilities in which animals are confined, including managed apiaries.
(2) This category does not include direct application to running or standing water, or the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(j) Category J - Demonstration and Research
(1) Perform pest control using California restricted materials to:
(A) Demonstrate to the public proper use and application techniques; or
(B) Conduct field research outside of a laboratory setting.
(2) This category does not include the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(k) Category K - Health Related Pest Control
(1) Perform pest control in:
(A) Government-sponsored programs for the management and control of pests having public health importance.
(2) This category does not include the use of any pesticide labeled as a fumigant.
(3) This category is not required for applicators holding a valid Vector Control Technician certificate issued by the State Department of Public Health and employed at a government public health agency.
(l) Category L - Soil Fumigation
(1) Perform pest control using a pesticide labeled as a fumigant to:
(A) Control soil pests in sites including fields, forests, golf courses, greenhouses, and individual tree or vine hole sites.
(2) This category does not include non-soil fumigations covered by (m).
(m) Category M - Non-Soil Fumigation
(1) Perform pest control using a pesticide labeled as a fumigant to:
(A) Fumigate enclosed areas including tarpaulin-covered structures and commodities, vaults, chambers, greenhouses, vans, boxcars, ships, planes, and vehicles, containing:
1. Agricultural commodities for post-harvest fumigation; or
2. Nonfood/nonfeed materials including but not limited to pallets; dunnage; furniture; burlap bags; planting medium, including potting soil and potting mix; and wine barrels and corks.
(B) Fumigate pest burrows in sites including, but not limited to, fields, rights-of-way, ditches, landscaping, and equipment yards.
(C) Fumigate sewer lines, in-service utility poles, or other fumigations not covered by Category L – Soil Fumigation [6530(l)].
(2) This category does not include structural pest control required to be licensed under Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 8500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 11456, 11502, 12203.1, 12976, 14001, 14005, 14102, 14151, and 14153.1, Food and Agricultural Code.
Reference: Sections 11501, 11701, 11704, 12203, 14001, 14015, 14102, and 14153, Food and Agricultural Code.
6531. Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Qualified Applicator Certificate – Subcategory Q.
(a) Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Qualified Applicator Certificate – Subcategory Q allows incidental pest control, including the use of pesticides, in ornamental and turf plantings indoors, in commercial parks, or surrounding structures under a Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Business License issued by the Director pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code section 11704.
(b) This subcategory does not allow the purchase or use of restricted materials listed in section 6400, or direct application to running or standing water.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 11456, 11502, 12976, 14001, 14005, 14102, 14151 and 14153.1, Food and Agricultural Code.
Reference: Sections 11501, 11701, 11704, 14001, 14015, 14102 and 14153, Food and Agricultural Code.
6532. Expiration.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 407, 11702, 12976 and 14005, Food and Agricultural Code.
Reference: Sections 11501, 11702 and 14001, Food and Agricultural Code.
6534. Refusal, Revocation, and Suspension. [Repealed]
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 11456, 12976, 14005 and 14102, Food and Agricultural Code.
Reference: Sections 11501, 14001 and 14102, Food and Agricultural Code.
6536. Field Fumigation Licensing Requirements. [Repealed]
NOTE: Authority Cited: Sections 11456, 11502, and 14005, Food and Agricultural Code.
Reference: Sections 11501, 14001, and 14151, Food and Agricultural Code.