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Pest Control Business Registrations

Bait box

Pest Control Business Registrations

Individuals and businesses offering pest control services to farmers, ranchers, home owners in the county must be licensed by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) before legally charging for their services. Pest control companies that apply pesticides for hire are licensed as pest control businesses, and their operations must be overseen by a licensed qualified applicator. Those providing pest control advice to farmers are licensed as pest control advisors, while aircraft pilots applying pesticides by air must hold pest control pilot licenses.
 

Before conducting any work in a specific county, these licensed individuals and businesses are required to register annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner. As part of the registration process, they must provide proof of licensure and pay a registration fee.

Similarly, individuals offering agricultural labor services for hire must be licensed as Farm Labor Contractors by the Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Standards Division. They too must register annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner in each county where they operate and pay a registration fee.

You can find our department Fee Schedule here.

Registration Information

Agricultural Pest Control Businesses

The Qualified licensee responsible for supervising pest control activities of the business must bring or send in a copy of their current Qualified Applicator license, a current copy of their PCB license, signed registrations forms and the registration fee.

Pest Control Adviser

Pest Control Advisers must bring or send a signed registration form, a copy of their current PCA license, and the registration fee.

Pest Control Pilot

Pest Control Pilots must bring or send a signed registration form, a copy of their current Apprentice or Journeyman Certificate, and the registration fee.

Branch I Structural Pest Control Business

The Qualifying Manager and Branch Supervisor responsible for each location must bring or send in a signed registration form, and the registration fee. 

Branch II & III Structural Pest Control Business

The Qualifying Manager and Branch Supervisor responsible for each location must bring or send in a signed registration form, and the registration fee. 

Farm Labor Contractor

Farm Labor Contractors must read and complete the registration form, provide a copy of their current license, and pay the registration fee.

Important Documents

Authorized Representative Form

Additional Resources

California Department of Pesticide Regulation
California Structural Pest Control Board
Setting bait trap

Pesticide Use FAQs

A restricted materials permit is required whenever anyone uses a California Restricted Material. These are materials designated as restricted by regulation in CCR Section 6400.

Bring in proof that you are either a certified private or commercial applicator or that you will not be applying the materials yourself, provide a map of your property and any sensitive sites near your property, provide a list of the restricted materials that you plan on using, provide information on what pest control businesses you will be dealing with.

You must take and pass the examination with a score of 70% or above to become a private applicator. Exams are taken at our Camarillo and Santa Paula offices during normal business hours. Study material is available from the Farm Advisor.

Permits are issued from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Please make an appointment for permits or work site plans, (805) 933-2926 (Santa Paula) | (805) 388-4222 (Camarillo). Permits and operator identification numbers can be obtained from any of our offices.

An operator identification number is required for anyone who applies a pesticide for an agricultural use. An agricultural use is anything except the following; 1) residential use, 2) industrial or institutional use, 3) structural pest control, 4) use by a licensed veterinarian on an animal, or 5) uses for public health purposes such a mosquito abatement. A permit is only required when the material being used is a California Restricted Material.

A pesticide use report is required whenever a pesticide is applied for an agricultural use, a California Restricted Material is applied or a pesticide is applied for hire. This means that uses on Public Rights of Way, parks, cemeteries and other recreational areas, reservoirs and irrigation canals and uses by licensed maintenance gardeners must be reported. If the use requires an operator identification number or a permit it must be reported. Pesticide Use Reports are generally due by the 10th of the month following the month of use, unless the pesticide was applied by a commercial applicator on an agricultural crop.

Pest Control Business registrations can be processed at the Santa Paula District office or the Camarillo District office during normal office hours. An inspector can register your business at the Ventura Office from 7:30 to 9:30 am or from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Please provide a copy of your business license for the current year.

If you receive a non-compliance on an inspection report, you will generally receive a call from the inspector sometime after the inspection. The inspector will issue you a violation notice which will tell you exactly what you did and what section of the code you were in violation of. This is also your opportunity to discuss the situation with the inspector to make sure that you understand what you are being cited for. The inspection and violation notice will be reviewed by the Supervisor and the Deputy Commissioner and a penalty may or may not be assessed. If you are assessed a penalty you will be given the opportunity to have a hearing to present evidence to the Commissioner as to why you should not be penalized. California has the most stringent pesticide regulations in the nation. Permits are issued in the Santa Paula office from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Please make an appointment for permits or work site plans, (805) 933-2926.