Structural pest control.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about what happens if an unlicensed person violates rules during their provisional supervision period.

Structural Pest Control Regulations

This law changes rules about who can apply pesticides in structural pest control and adds requirements for training and supervision.

What This Bill Does

• Expands the time an unlicensed person can use pesticides under supervision from 90 days to up to 60 days if they have applied for a license and completed at least 80 hours of training.
• Requires licensed supervisors to keep records showing that trainees have finished their required training and submitted their license application.
• Adds new rules about how county agricultural commissioners must handle inspections and investigations related to structural pest control operators and companies.

Who It Names or Affects

• Structural pest control companies
• Licensed structural pest control operators and field representatives
• Unlicensed individuals working under supervision to get their licenses

Terms To Know

Branch 1, Branch 2, Branch 3

Different types of structural pest control work that require specific licenses.

Provisional supervision period

A time when an unlicensed person can apply pesticides under the close watch of a licensed supervisor while they are getting their license.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how long it will take for someone to get their structural pest control license after applying.
• It is unclear what happens if an unlicensed person violates the rules during their provisional supervision period.
• Local agencies might need extra money and resources to follow new state requirements.

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