Get Your California Applicator's License

Get that Applicator's License!

By Morgan Nilsen

Pestec welcomes you, mighty warrior!

There is one great challenge you must conquer

No, not giant insects!

!

You must pass the Applicator's Exam to start your career at Pestec

CA Structural Pest Control Board

Applicators Branch 2 & 3Exam

But you don't know what to study for the exam

Long R

oad

Not knowing what to study means unnecessary stress

Long R

oad

You'd like to be well prepared for the exam

Then we have to know 3 things

CA Structural Pest Control BoardBranch 2 & 3

Applicators Exam

CA Structural Pest Control BoardBranch 2 & 3

Applicators Exam

Know the testKnow test taking

Know the job

Know the test

CA Structural Pest Control BoardBranch 2 & 3

Applicators Exam

Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) issues our licenses

3. Operator

2. Field Representative

1. Applicator

The SPCB is like the DMV for the pesticide industry

The entry-level license is the Applicator's License

3. Operator

2. Field Representative

1. Applicator

SPCB is a small part of Department of Consumer Affairs

The SPCB also works with the Department of Pesticide Regulation

SPCB is responsible for registering pest companies and licenses

The next license is the Field Representative license

3. Operator

2. Field Representative1. Applicator

A Field Representative is able to identify pests and make contracts

3. Operator

2. Field Representative1. Applicator

The test is long

Be effective with your time:You will have 90 minutes

TIP – Answer the easy questions first

You will answer 100 questions:50 true/false & 50 multiple choice

TIP – answer all the questions, even if you don't know the answer

You will have to do math like: areas, convert units, and concentrations

al

w

a = l x w

The test covers a wide-range of topics all mixed together

These can be divided into 6 broad subjects:

About the testIntegrated Pest Management

Pests: vertebrates and invertebrates Pesticides: formulations and equipment

LabelsSafety and storage

Know test taking

Know that you will have to study, the information is very specific

TIP – Study a little over many daysrather than once on one day

TIP – Take notes andwrite things down

Try other practice testsavailable on the Internet

This is available atutahlinks.org/learn/

The Test is also common sense, so remember to do the easy ones first

Here are some more common-sense tips

1. Cover the answers and then try to guess the answer (+ confidence)

2. Use the Process of Elimination, eliminate obvious wrong answers

( Got extra time? )3. Check your work

A simple missed word can make the difference between true and false

The test will have questionsthat will force you to guess

Tip #1: “All of the above” isusually the correct answer

Tip #2: Relative terms or qualifiers are MORE likely correct than absolutes

Relative terms like:Sometimes, usually, often, probably,Rarely, most, or some

Absolute terms like:All, never, always, or only

versus

Tip #3: The longest answer is usually the correct answer

Know your job!( and IPM )

Integrated Pest Managementhas many definitions

Some say IPM is the Common Sense Approach

IPM focuses on non-pesticidesolution first

Here are some non-pesticide solutions ● Exclusion● Sanitation

● Mechanical ● Biological

● Cultural

IPM is a decision making process

Components of an IPM program can include education, proper waste management, biological and mechanical control techniques, and as a last resort, the least-toxic pesticide

Education is perhaps the most effective. IPM is all about bringing diverse disciplines and communicate how everyone can do their part to solve the problem

IPM is divided into 3 steps

Inspection is the most fundamental

Identification is an important aspect for Field Representatives

Only after inspection and identification is Treatment

This is the first of three presentations

Next we will focus on identificationof common structural pests

Additionally, we will cover treatment,focusing on pesticides and formulations

Finally, we will also cover safety(regulations and labels)

CA Structural Pest Control BoardBranch 2 & 3

Applicators Exam

Know the testKnow test taking

Know the job