Structural Pest Control Section
Certification and Licensing Requirements
A person who carries out structural pest control for the general public must obtain a structural pest control license or be employed by a structural pest control licensee. The Structural Pest Control Law establishes three classes of Structural Pest Control pesticide applicators, Registered Technicians, Certified Applicators, and Licensees.
Registered Technician
A Registered structural pest control technician works under the direct supervision of a licensee or a non-commercial certified applicator. Technicians must comply with mandatory training requirements set forth in 2 NCAC 34.0312. This is accomplished through the completion of the training program approved by the Structural Pest Control Committee (SPCC).
The requirements of the SPCC training program are:
1. Completion of the Registered Technician Training Program Introductory Training Workbook. [Available at no charge from the Structural Pest Control Division]
2. A minimum of 24 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensee, certified applicator, or registered technician having at least two years of experience.
3. Attendance at an 8-hour North Carolina Structural Pest Control Registered Technician Training School (RT School).
Steps one and two must be completed before the technician is permitted to mix or apply pesticides without the on-site supervision of a registered, certified, or licensed individual. In addition, the completed Workbook must be presented for admission to the RT School.
Licensees must purchase registered technician identification cards for employees within 75 days of employment. There is an initial fee of $40.00 for registration. A registered technician identification card expires on June 30 of each year and may be renewed annually for $40.00. There are no required examinations to become a registered technician and continuing education is not required upon renewal of this registration.
Certified Applicator
It is unlawful for a certified applicator to perform structural pest control work for the general public unless employed by a structural pest control licensee. Persons interested in becoming certified applicators must have attended the Registered Technician School (see Registered Technician section). The North Carolina Structural Pest Control Law requires the certification of all persons who use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides in and around structures. In addition, a person who performs structural pest control work with restricted use pesticides on his/her own property or on the property of his/her employer manages must be certified (non-commercial certified applicator) or working under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
Certification may be earned in one or more of the following phases:
Phase P - Household pests (cockroaches, ants, fleas, rodents, etc.)
Phase W - Wood destroying organisms (termites, powder post beetles, fungi, etc.)
Phase F - Fumigation (to apply pesticides that kill as a gas; this phase is not required for aerosols, fogs or insecticide impregnated strips).
Structural pest control applicators must pass certification examinations administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Structural Pest Control Division. Study manuals for these examinations are available from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina State University.
An applicant who seeks certification must demonstrate a practical knowledge of proper pest control techniques based upon passing a core exam plus a separate exam for each phase in which certification is desired. The core exam covers a general knowledge of pesticides, pesticide equipment, the impact of pesticides in the environment, pesticide techniques, pesticide safety, and appropriate Federal and state laws. The examination fee is $25.00 per phase. There is no charge for the core exam. Applicants must preregister with the Division 10 days prior to the date of each Structural Pest Control examination. Do not send exam fees by mail. Exam fees are collected at the exam site. After passing the appropriate exam(s), an annual fee of $50 is charged. The certified applicator card expires on June 30 of each year and may be renewed annually.
Licensed Structural Pest Control Operators
Persons engaged in structural pest control for the general public must be licensed by the Structural Pest Control Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Persons may be licensed in one or more of the following phases:
Phase P - Household pests (cockroaches, ants, fleas, rodents, etc.)
Phase W - Wood destroying organisms (termites, powder post beetles, fungi, etc.)
Phase F - Fumigation (to apply pesticides that kill as a gas; this phase is not required for aerosols, fogs or insecticide impregnated strips).
License applicants must be certified (see Certified Applicator section) in the phase(s) in which licensing is desired and have two years experience in the appropriate phase(s) of structural pest control. A degree from a recognized college or university with training in entomology, sanitary or public health engineering, or related subjects may substitute for experience in the structural pest control industry. The Structural Pest Control Committee will determine whether an applicant has had sufficient experience and/or education to take the examination. An examination fee of $50.00 is charged for each license phase. The Structural Pest Control Division collects all exam fees at the exam site. The annual licensing fee for applicants passing the exam(s) is $200.00 for the first phase and $75.00 for each additional phase.
Proof of financial responsibility or liability insurance is required annually before a structural pest control license can be issued or renewed (minimum limits for each occurrence are property damage - $100,000; bodily injury - $300,000). The license expires each year on June 30 or on the insurance expiration date, whichever comes first. (See Structural Pest Control Applicator section for continuing education requirements)
Recommended Study Materials for Structural Pest Control
Study materials are periodically updated. Contact the Structural Pest Control Division at 919.733.6100 or visit us online at http://www.ncagr.gov/spcap/ for current examination information.
Structural Pest Control Applicator Recertification
All certified applicator and license identification cards expire on June 30 of each year and shall be renewed on an annual basis. Certified applicators and licensees are certified for a five-year period. At the end of the five-year period, a certified applicator, or licensee, may be recertified for another five-year period by choosing one of the following options:
1. Re-examination without formal training.
2. Earning Continuing Certification Units (CCU's) of formal training approved by the Structural Pest Control Division and received by the certified applicator during the five years immediately preceding the expiration date of their certification.
The number of CCU's required is as follows:
A. recertification in any one phase: 10 CCUs total, five of which must be solely applicable to the phase in which recertification is desired;
B. recertification in any two phases: 15 CCUs, five of which must be solely applicable to the first phase and five solely applicable to the second phase in which recertification is desired;
C. recertification in all three phases: 20 CCUs total, five of which must be solely applicable to each phase in which recertification is desired;
D. licensees and noncommercial certified applicators must earn at least one of the required continuing certification units in at least four years of the five year recertification period;
E. commercial certified applicators must earn at least one of the required continuing certification units in at least three years of the five year recertification period;
F. continuing certification units are not carried forward beyond the five-year recertification period.
3. Licensees holding an inactive license shall be subject to the recertification requirements.
Reciprocal Agreements
The North Carolina Structural Pest Control Division has reciprocal agreements with Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia. These agreements are only for certified applicators. North Carolina does not have reciprocal agreements for licensees.
For more information:
Training or Manuals Structural Pest Control Applicator Training: Dr. Wayne Buhler, Department of Horticultural Science, Box 7609, NCSU, Raleigh, NC 27695-7609, 919.515.3113
Licensing and Certification
Structural Certification, Recertification or License Examinations - Structural Pest Control Division, NCDA & CS, 1090 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1090 at 919.733.6100 or visit us online at http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/structural/index.htm
Training Schools
The NCDA & CS, Structural Pest Control Division administers the Registered Technician Training School. Other training schools are conducted throughout the state. Contact your county Cooperative Extension Service for locations, dates, and subjects taught at each school.
