Chapter 8. Qualified Applicator License of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 6. >> Chapter 8.

An application for a qualified applicator license 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.

It is unlawful for any person to act in a supervisory capacity or position for a pest control business, except a business licensed only in the maintenance gardener category pursuant to Section 11705, unless the person has a qualified applicator license.

(a) All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter expire on December 31 of the year for which they are issued. Licenses may be renewed annually by the date of expiration through application in a form prescribed by the director and upon payment of a fee as prescribed by the director pursuant to Section 11502.5.
  (b) A penalty as prescribed by the director pursuant to Section 11502.5 shall be assessed against any applicant who applies for renewal after the expiration date.

(a) Applicants shall be examined on the requirements of laws and regulations concerning pesticide use and shall elect to be examined for licensing 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 licensed in one or more of the categories in subdivision (a), an applicant for licensing 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 12203 as the director determines to be necessary.

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

A qualified applicator license may be refused, revoked, or suspended by the director, after a hearing, for any of the following:
  (a) Failure to comply with this division or Division 7 (commencing with Section 12501) or regulations adopted pursuant to these divisions.
  (b) Making any false or fraudulent record or report.
  (c) Failure to ensure that the responsibilities of the pest control business specified in regulations are carried out.
  (d) Failure to supervise operations, activities, and employees of the pest control business in a manner that ensures compliance with this division and Division 7 (commencing with Section 12501) pertaining to pesticides.

Notwithstanding Section 12205, if the director finds on the basis of affidavits submitted to the director by the enforcement personnel specified in Section 11501.5, or by injured parties, that continuance of the license endangers public welfare or safety, the director may, pending a hearing, suspend or place conditions on the license of any qualified applicator. The director may terminate the suspension of, or any condition placed upon, a license upon the taking of corrective action by the qualified applicator that the director determines satisfactory to assure compliance with statutes and regulations. In that event, the matter may proceed to hearing as though the license had not been suspended or the conditions placed upon it.