If you are looking for a qualified commercial or residential exterminator that can provide roach, subterranean termite, dry wood termite, roaches, spider, ant and flea services, make sure that they are state certified inspectors? It is important that your pest control company knows what they are doing and is properly trained.
What is a Certified Pest Control Operator?
A certified operator is an individual who has passed an examination administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture in any of three specialized areas or categories.
The categories that a person can be certified in are:
- Structural Fumigation,
- Household Pest Control, and
- Wood-Destroying Organisms Control.
A person can be certified in just one or all three categories.
In addition, it establishes three classes of structural pest control credentials:
- company license;
- certified operator; and
- registered employee.
Each type of credential must be qualified for through minimum requirements such as: training, experience, and examinations. Structural pest control credentials are not prorated; all cards expire June 30th of odd numbered years and must be renewed prior to that date.
Certified Operators are certified for a five-year period and then need to be recertified.
Structural Pest Control Company License
An individual / firm wishing to perform structural pest control services for hire must be licensed. To obtain a license, the applicant or designee must hold certification in the category(ies) in which he/she applies to for a license. There is a license fees including a research fee which provides funding to the UGA Urban Entomology Research Program.
Insurance Coverage
In addition, all licensees must provide proof of insurance and receive approval by the structural pest control commission before the license is issued.
Certified Pest Control Operators
An individual wishing to perform structural pest control services for hire or on property other than his own or that of his employer:
- must be employed by a licensed pest control company and
- hold a structural pest control credential.
To become certified, the applicant must:
- first have two years of documented experience in structural pest control work,
- qualify in the category in which he/she wishes be certified and
- pass the core (general competency) examination
- plus, an examination in the qualified category.
Certification alone does not allow the holder to perform structural pest control services for hire. To perform structural pest control work for hire, the certified operator must be employed by a licensed pest control company or hold a pest control company license. The Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission does not have reciprocal certification agreements with other states.
Registered Employee
All employees of licensed pest control companies who engage in the performance or solicitation of structural pest control services must be registered with the Department of Agriculture within 30 days of employment or work in the presence of a certified operator or registered employee.
To become registered, the applicant must complete 10 hours of classroom training as outlined in the Employee Registration Manual, 70 hours of on-the job training experience under the constant supervision of a certified operator or a registered employee in the category(ies) in which registration is sought and pass the employee registration examination.
Structural Pest Control Certification Requirements
Structural pest control certification and registration is divided into three operational categories according to the type of work performed. A person may be certified or registered in all categories:
- Category 28: Fumigation (to apply pesticides as a gas in order to control pests) The application of a fumigant to any structure or enclosed space, or to any compartment for the purpose of controlling insects, rodents or other pests.
- Category 29: Household Pest Control The use of pesticide, device or practice to control pests including cockroaches, fleas, silverfish, ants, birds, rodents, etc. by any method other than fumigation.
- Category 30: Wood-destroying Organism Control The application of any and all measures for the purpose of controlling termites, powder post beetles, wood boring beetles, wood destroying fungi in structures and/or adjacent outside areas by any means other than fumigation.
Certified operators are certified for a five-year period. Certified operators may be recertified for another five-year period by
- Earning Continuing Education Credits approved by the Structural Pest Control Commission and earned by the certified operator during the 5-year period but 90 days prior to the expiration of the five-year recertification period.
- Reexamination completed prior to the expiration of the five-year recertification period. Recertification Requirements: • Recertification in Fumigation: 12 credits.
Obviously, there are many benefits to hiring your pest control company that is state certified.
Houseman is the only complete service company in the Athens, GA area. We provide Weed control, fertilization, shrub care, mulch & pine straw, sod, annual plantings, irrigation, and commercial & residential lawn maintenance. We are also state certified and licensed in wood destroying organisms (termite control), household pest control, public heath, and turf & ornamental weed control. We are licensed to control and treat mosquitoes, termites, all pest problems and turf & ornamental weed control. Contact the professionals at Houseman Services and set up a free inspection of your yard. We have been servicing homes and businesses in the Athens, Clarke County area since 1985!