SECTION 7.126. Licensing Qualification Requirements

(a) Certified commercial applicator. In addition to passing the appropriate category examination, in order to be eligible to obtain a certified commercial applicator license, each applicant must pass the general standards examination administered by the department. To be eligible to be licensed in any of the categories in §7.125(b) of this chapter (related to Examinations), the applicant must also meet one of the following requirements:

(1) Have verifiable employment in the pest control industry under the supervision of a licensed certified applicator for at least twelve (12) months out of the past twenty-four (24) months and must have possessed a technician's license for at least six (6) months during that time period;

(2) Furnish proof of previous verifiable employment experience in the pest control industry, including out-of-state experience in pest control, for at least twelve (12) months out of the past twenty-four (24) months. The proof of experience must be provided by the applicant in the form of a letter from the appropriate licensing entity stating the type of license held and how long the applicant has held the license;

(3) Have a degree or certificate in an area of the biological sciences related to pest control from an accredited two (2) or four (4)-year college or university;

(4) Have previously held a certified applicator license issued by the department that can be verified by the department; or

(5) Qualify under the hardship clause outlined in §7.129 of this chapter (relating to Loss of Responsible Certified Applicator or Business License Holder).

(b) Certified non-commercial applicator. In addition to passing the appropriate category examination and the general standards examination, in order to be eligible to obtain a certified noncommercial applicator's license, the applicant must meet one of the following requirements:

(1) Have verifiable employment in the pest control industry under the supervision of a licensed certified applicator for at least twelve (12) months out of the past twenty-four (24) months and must have possessed a technician license for at least six (6) months during that time period;

(2) Furnish proof of previous verifiable employment experience in the pest control industry, including out-of-state experience in pest control, for at least twelve (12) months out of the past twenty-four (24) months. The proof of experience must be provided by the applicant in the form of a letter from the appropriate licensing entity stating the type of license held and how long the applicant has held the license;

(3) Have a degree or certificate in an area of the biological sciences, related to pest control, from an accredited two (2) or four (4)-year college or university;

(4) Complete a department-approved minimum six (6) hour certified noncommercial/technician training course; or

(5) Have previously held a certified applicator license issued by the department that can be verified by the department.

(c) Commercial or noncommercial technician. In addition to passing the appropriate category examination, in order to be eligible to obtain a commercial or noncommercial technician license, the applicant must be registered with the department, complete all required apprentice training specified in §7.132 of this chapter (relating to Requirements for Apprentice Registration), and attend a technician training course at least one (1) time prior to taking the examination. The examination may be taken as many times as necessary in the twelve (12) month period the employee holds a current apprentice registration card.

Source Note: The provisions of this §7.126 adopted to be effective January 9, 2018, 43 TexReg 42; amended to be effective January 16, 2023, 48 TexReg 129