Chapter 3.6. Qualified Applicator Certificates of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 7. >> Chapter 3.6.

The director may, by regulation, specify the pesticide applications that shall be made by or under the supervision of a person holding a valid qualified applicator certificate.

An application for a qualified applicator certificate shall be in a form prescribed by the director. Each application shall state the name and address of the applicant specified on the application and any other information required by the director. The application shall be accompanied by a fee as prescribed by the director pursuant to Section 11502.5. All certificates issued under this chapter shall expire on December 31 of the year for which they are issued. Certificates may be renewed annually by the date of expiration by application in the form prescribed by the director and upon payment of a fee as prescribed by the director pursuant to Section 11502.5. A penalty shall be assessed against any applicant who applies for renewal after the expiration date as prescribed by the director pursuant to Section 11502.5.

(a) Applicants shall be examined on the requirements of laws and regulations concerning pesticide use and shall elect to be examined for certification in one or more of the following categories:
  (1) Residential, industrial, and institutional pest control.
  (2) Landscape maintenance pest control.
  (3) Right-of-way pest control.
  (4) Agricultural pest control.
  (5) Forest pest control.
  (6) Aquatic pest control.
  (7) Regulatory pest control.
  (8) Seed treatment.
  (9) Agricultural pest control-animal.
  (10) Demonstration and research.
  (11) Health-related pest control.
  (b) In addition to being certified in one or more of the categories in subdivision (a), an applicant may elect to be trained in the handling, control, and techniques of removal of Africanized honey bees.
  (c) The director may develop a training program that covers the handling, control, and techniques of removal of Africanized honey bees or may approve a training program developed by the Pest Control Operators of California or any other equivalent training program, subject to the following requirements:
  (1) A certificate of training shall be presented by the training provider to the applicant upon completion of the approved training program.
  (2) Providers of approved Africanized honey bee training shall submit to the director a listing of those persons who have completed the training, including, but not limited to, the following information:
  (A) The full name of each person who has completed the training.
  (B) The license or certificate number of each person who has completed the training, if the person trained is licensed by the Department of Pesticide Regulation.
  (3) The providers of approved Africanized honey bee training shall maintain a record for three years of the individuals who have completed the training.

The director may designate subcategories within the categories listed in Section 14153 as the director determines to be necessary.

The director shall issue a qualified applicator certificate to each applicant who satisfies the requirements of this chapter.

A qualified applicator certificate may be refused, revoked, or suspended by the director, after hearing, for any of the following:
  (a) Failure to comply with any applicable provision of this division or Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) or any regulation adopted pursuant to these divisions.
  (b) Failure to supervise pesticide applications in a manner that ensures compliance with this division and Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) or any regulation adopted pursuant to these divisions.
  (c) Making any false or fraudulent record or report.