PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN
FREE TRAINING COURSE
FAQs
Tell Me More About the Course
Q: Is this course really free? Why?
Yes! Official Pest Prevention offers this course at no cost (at least for now) because we are hoping to hire and train more friendly, hardworking people who will become licensed service technicians and work for our company. If you are accepted into the program, we pay for all your training, exams, licensing, and field training. We also pay for the time you spend in class. So it's not just free, it's paid! We are treating this process like an extended job application (and you should, too!). That means you'll need to formally apply to be accepted into the training course.
Q: How is the course formatted?
Our course is a three-part training program that includes:
Part 1: Online Training
Online training once a week in a Zoom format with fellow trainees, a route manager, and the instructor. We encourage questions and discussion. In-between the weekly classes, you study on your own. The course covers the pest control industry, customer service, chemicals and applications, safety and training, and general problem-solving. All of this prepares you to take and pass your state-administered licensing exam.
Part 2: Licensing Exam
You take the state exam and get licensed as a Branch 2 Applicator. Industry mentors help you through this process.
Part 3: Ride-along Field Training
After you've passed your exam and obtained your license, you go on ride-along field training with a licensed industry mentor for several weeks. You observe the technician performing various route duties for customers and their properties. They train you on customer service, product knowledge, equipment maintenance, driving techniques and safety, route management, and productivity principles. Gradually you begin to assume more and more duties of the daily route on your field training. After about 3-4 weeks, you are ready to start your own daily route.
All along the way you'll receive mentoring and coaching from industry experts who will guide you through this process and get you started in your career.
Yes, this course really is free. It's even paid.
How Do I Apply?
Q: What makes me eligible to apply for this course?
You need to:
- Be friendly, personable, and want to provide excellent customer service.
- Demonstrate a solid work history on your resume
- Possess problem-solving skills
- Be eligible to work in the US
- Have a valid California driver's license
- Have a 5-year good driving record
- Be willing to submit to a full background check and take a drug test (required by California's Structural Pest Control Board)
Q: How do I apply?
Click here to go to our secure website where you can upload your resume and submit your application.
Q: How long will it take to know if I'm accepted into the course?
Hiring managers are actively reviewing all resumes. They will contact you within 7-10 business days of receipt of your resume for a phone interview if your qualifications align with this course's requirements. After the first phone interview, there could be as many as 2-3 interviews, a background test, and a drug test before being formally accepted into the course.
What is the Licensing Process Like?
Q: What format is the licensing exam?
The Structural Pest Control Board of the State of California writes the tests in a multiple choice format. You need a 70% or higher to pass and get your license. Some people describe it as being similar to taking a DMV driver’s license exam. You take the exam at a local testing center called PSI. There are many different PSI offices in the Northern and Central California area. We help you schedule and take your exams. And you can know immediately if you’ve passed.
Q: How much do I have to study to pass the exam?
Most successful candidates study about 20-30 minutes per day during their online training course, and they not only pass the exam, they retain their study material throughout their field training as well.
Q: What if I don't pass the test?
You can retake it, and we will help you.
Join An Industry That Gives You a Clear Path to Advancement
Industry
Q: Which state agency governs the pest control industry in the State of California?
The Structural Pest Control Board. Structural pest control is "the control of household pests (including but not limited to rodents, vermin and insects) and wood-destroying pests and organisms or such other pests which may invade households or structures, including railroad cars, ships, docks, trucks, airplanes, or the contents thereof."
Q: Which license would this course prepare me to get in the State of California?
A Branch 2 Pesticide Applicator's license.
Q: How many licenses are available to get in California?
There are three main branches of structural pest control in California:
Branch 1 - Pest control of household and wood-destroying pests or organisms (like termites and dry rot) by fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases.
Branch 2 - Pest control of household pests excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases (spraying).
Branch 3 - Pest control of wood-destroying pests or organisms (like termites and dry rot) by the use of insecticides or structural repairs and corrections, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases.
Within these branches, you can be eligible to obtain three different kinds of licenses: Applicator, Field Representative, and Operator.
Applicator - Entry level license, work on behalf of a registered company, spray only (not diagnose). Licensed in Branch 2 and 3 as Applicator.
Field Representative - Licensed to be able to secure pest control work, identify infestations or infections, make inspections, apply pesticides, submit bids on behalf of a registered company. Can be licensed in Branch 1, 2, and/or 3 as a Field Rep.
Operator - All the same as Field Rep except they can own their own company or act as qualifying manager for another owner. Can be licensed in Branch 1, 2, and/or 3.
Q: I know someone who sprays people's houses for pests but isn't licensed. Do I really have to get licensed?
Yes. You must be licensed to spray pest control chemicals in someone else's home in California. It is illegal to spray without a license. People who operate without a license risk legal action being taken against them.
Official Pest Prevention - The Company
Q: What is Official Pest Prevention like as a company?
We are a family-owned company founded by two brothers in 2000, celebrating 20+ years serving residential and commercial properties in seven area codes in Northern, Central, and East Bay, California. We take great satisfaction in rewarding hardworking employees who take the initiative. Almost all of our sales and service managers, field inspectors, and management positions have risen from within our ranks. We enjoy building our local community by providing quality careers for our employees.
Q: Am I guaranteed a job with you if I complete the course?
This course is designed as an extended live job interview. Successfully completing the program will afford you a continued opportunity. And your license is always yours to keep!
Q: Do you have positions open in my area?
We service the greater metro areas of Sacramento, Yuba City, East Bay, San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. So chances are if you live in or near any of these areas, we have a place for you! (Think of these area codes: 209, 559, 661, 707, 925, 916, 530.) And since we try to give you a route as close to your home as possible, you won't have to go too far.
Have a Full-time Day Shift, Medical/Retirement Benefits, Bonuses
Qualifications
Q: Is anyone (everyone) encouraged to apply?
Yes! As long as you meet our basic requirements (see above), you can apply. Official Pest Prevention is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on any basis. Women and minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Q: What kind of shape do I need to be in to take the course and become a technician?
A service technician should be able to be on his or her feet a good part of the day, wear a 4-gallon backpack sprayer, lift 50 pounds in and out of a truck, and be able to maneuver into the occasional crawl space or attic.
Q: If I work with you as a technician, do I have to do any selling?
No. We have a dedicated sales department that works full-time to make sure you always have a full route to service. So your role is to provide excellent service for our existing customers and make them happy! If a customer's neighbors buy pest control with us through you because of your great service, we obviously encourage that. Our company grows because of our reputation for high quality, affordable pest control service.
Q: ¿Hablas español? Si solo hablo un poco de inglés, ¿puedo tomar este curso?
Sí, hablamos español. Nuestras oficinas son bilingües. But all of the training and exams are in English, so you need to speak English well enough to understand the training and pass the exam. After that, you would also need to be able to provide great customer service for our English-speaking customers.
Q: What if I don't have five years driving experience?
Our insurance requires it because you will be driving a company truck. But if you would be interested in working in one of our offices to learn the business until you get your driving experience, we have positions in sales and customer service. Please send your resume to: resumes@officialpestprevention.com
"For over 20 years, I've helped train hundreds of new pest control service technicians. I've watched them grow from entry-level recruits to managers and supervisors, buying homes and raising families. I've seen how rewarding this career is not just for me but for so many others up close. I know it can be like that for you too, and I'd love to help you get there. There is a real need for recruits in a growing, profitable industry, and you can be part of it."
-Jeff Davenport
Technician Training Course Instructor
Official Pest Prevention, Elk Grove, CA
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Can I take the course for fun?
Q: I would like to take the course to learn how to be licensed. But I either don't need a job or just want to do this on my own. Can I apply?
For now we are only offering this course to people who are interested in working with us in the pest control industry inside our service area in Northern, Central, and East Bay, California. But we are considering offering this course at a later date for a fee for anyone who wants to learn how to become independently licensed in California. If you're interested in that option, fill out this form here to be automatically entered on the mailing and wait list. You'll receive more information as it becomes available.
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More Info About
Our Future Paid Course
Official Pest Prevention
www.officialpestprevention.com
10139 Iron Rock Way, Elk Grove, CA 95624
resumes@officialpestprevention.com
SPCB PR#3637
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