Structural pest control.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information about what happens if an unlicensed worker fails to complete their training within the provisional period or specifies the exact conditions required for applying pesticides.

Expanding Training Periods for Pest Control Workers

This law allows unlicensed pest control workers who are applying for a license and have completed training to apply pesticides under supervision for up to 60 days, starting January 1, 2028.

What This Bill Does

• Allows unlicensed individuals working for registered companies to apply certain types of pesticides if they have applied for a structural pest control applicator license in Branch 2 or Branch 3 and met specific conditions.
• Requires these workers to complete at least 80 hours of training under the direct supervision of a licensed operator or field representative.
• Limits this permission to a period of up to 60 days after applying for the license, during which the worker must be supervised by a licensed person.
• Requires the supervising licensee to keep records showing that the unlicensed individual has completed the required training and applied for their license.

Who It Names or Affects

• Unlicensed pest control workers who are employed by registered companies and have applied for a structural pest control applicator license in Branch 2 or Branch 3.
• Licensed pest control operators or field representatives who supervise these unlicensed individuals during the provisional period.
• County agricultural commissioners responsible for inspections and investigations.

Terms To Know

Branch 2

Refers to the type of structural pest control that deals with household pests, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases.

Branch 3

Refers to the type of structural pest control that involves controlling wood-destroying pests using insecticides or repairs, but not including fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if an unlicensed worker fails to complete their training within the provisional period.
• It is unclear how this change will affect county agricultural commissioners and whether they need additional resources.

Official Summary Text

AB 2477, as amended, Chen.
Structural pest control.
Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of structural pest control by the Structural Pest Control Board in the Department of Consumer Affairs. A violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor. Existing law designates each county agricultural commissioner as the lead agency for inspections and routine investigations of structural pest control operators and registered companies. Existing law prescribes 3 classifications of structural pest control licenses, which are designated as Branch 1, Branch 2, and Branch 3, based on the types of pest control work permitted. Branch 1 relates to the control of household and wood-destroying pests or organisms by fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. Branch 2 relates to the control of household pests, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. Branch 3 relates 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.
Existing law prohibits an unlicensed individual in the employ of a registered company from applying pesticides included in Branch 2 or Branch 3, but authorizes an individual, for 90 days from the date of employment, to apply pesticides for the purposes of training under the direct supervision of a licensed field representative or operator employed by the company.
This bill, on and after January 1, 2028, would also authorize an unlicensed individual employed by a registered company who has applied for a structural pest control applicator
license
examination
in Branch 2 or Branch 3 to apply pesticides included in Branch 2 or
Branch 3 under the supervision, as defined, of a licensed operator or field representative
during a provisional supervision period of
for
up to 60 days if specified conditions are met, including that the unlicensed individual has completed a minimum of 80 hours of training under the direct supervision, as defined, of a licensed operator or field representative. The bill would require a supervising licensee to maintain
certain documentation, including
documentation demonstrating completion of
training and proof of applicator license submission.
required training.
By expanding the scope of a crime and to the extent the bill would impose additional requirements on county agricultural commissioners, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted
above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF