The thought of a trail of ants crawling along your baseboards or a scorpion crawling across the ceiling can send anyone into a panic. Fortunately, you don’t have to endure these pests because professional pest control services can eliminate them. These services aren’t just for businesses; homeowners also benefit from their preventive measures and regular treatments. Having a licensed pest control technician in your home can help keep bugs and rodents away from your property year-round.

Licensed Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Applicator License

A pest control license is a requirement for professional Texas residential pest control pest control workers. This type of license requires a person to undergo training and pass a state exam. The license is used to legally use regulated and limited-use pesticides in and around structures such as homes, restaurants, stores, and industrial plants. There are various categories of SPCS and pesticide applicator licenses, and the process to obtain one varies based on the category.

Typically, the first step to becoming a licensed pest control technician is to find an apprenticeship with a locally-owned or national pest control company. Most companies offer apprentice programs that include classroom and hands-on pesticide training. Applicants must complete pesticide courses that include topics such as safety, environmental protection, and application techniques.

Once you’ve completed your pesticide training, you will need to pass the general exam and a category exam. Both exams are given by PSI and are closed book. Upon passing both the general and category exams, you will be issued a pesticide applicator license.

After obtaining a pesticide applicator license, you must complete the required continuing education classes to stay current with your skills and to renew your license. These classes must be taken within the two years following the expiration of your initial license. These continuing education classes can be found on the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) website under Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education.

In addition to these requirements, you must have at least one year of verifiable technical experience from another occupation prior to beginning a new career in pest control. You must submit this experience to TDA in the form of a notarized statement with a description of what you did and how it relates to the field of pest control.

Pests can cause serious damage to homes, businesses, and crops. They can spread disease, contaminate food, and ruin a property’s value. That’s why pest control is a critical part of every home or business’s maintenance plan. The demand for licensed pest control professionals is growing, so now is the perfect time to consider a career change and become a certified applicator. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% increase in jobs in the sector over the next 8 years. And with such high demand, you can earn an above-average salary.