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How To Become Certified As a Pest Control Technician

Submitted by: TigerEye

Bugs are a pain. Becoming a pest control technician can relieve the suffering of those who have an infestation in the house or business. Learn some of the things you must do to become certified as a pest control technician.

There are many different levels to being an exterminator or pest control technician. Your local area will be the mode by which you learn what is required of you. Districts have their own rules for storing, using, selling and disposal of pesticides. You will need to learn what is allowed in your district. Visiting the Department of Agriculture that is represented in your area, or looking online, is a good idea on where to begin to learn the first steps to being an exterminator. If they can not help you the local Farm Co-op may be able to offer some help.

There are age requirements in many places for those who want to learn how to be certified as a pest control technician. For example the age of sixteen is the youngest that a person can learn this job in the state of Maryland. You will need to be at least eighteen years old to become certified as a pest control applicator in the same state. You will be learning a lot about the Environmental Protection Agency if you live in the United States. 

You will be learning about restricted use and general use pesticides. You will be familiarizing yourself with the various steps and levels of killing insects. Certificates and licenses that are associated with this job are plentiful. You have the following list:

  • pesticide applicator
  • private applicator
  • pesticide business licenses
  • pest control applicator
  • pest control consultant
  • public agency permits
  • public agency applicator
  • "not-for-hire" business licenses

There are even more pest control categories that you can cover. Some are :

  • seed treatment
  • aquatic
  • public health
  • ornemental and turf
  • agricultural
  • industrial and institutional
  • consultant
  • aerial

Being familiar with these categoeries will give you a better chance at making more money.

You may need to have experience in applying pesticides for one year in some places before you are officially certified. If a person has no experience to show then a degree in biology, horticulture, botany, or other related fields of study may suffice. Your application will be required a certain amount of time before you take your exam. The exam itself varies with states, but expect multiple choice and closed book exams to be common.

For each classification of certification you want to qualify in you will need to pay a tax or fee. The charge to retake the test if you do not pass the first time is around ten dollars. Do not worry about failing tests because you will not get a black mark for failing. Stay focused on what you want to do and allow the future to unfold.

Certified Pest Control Technician

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Word Count: 524 Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 Time: 8:36 PM


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