Introduction

Question 1

US EPA

U.S. EPA regulates all aspects of pesticide registration, sales, and use at the federal level through laws in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

Answer 1

US EPA also oversees and regulates state programs for compliance with federal requirements, including the Federal Worker Protection Standard.

State sub-programs include:
Certification and Training
Enforcement and Compliance
Worker Health and Safety
Environmental Monitoring and Protection

Question 2

Certification of Pesticide Applicators (QAL)~Federal

US EPA requires private or commercial applicators to be certified individuals.

Answer 2

To meet federal requirements:
Six components of each state sub-program must be met:
1.)State-granted legal authority to carry out a pesticide program.
2.)Provisions of a legal process to deny, suspend, or revoke certifications.
3.)Provisions of a legal review for any actions taken in (2.)
4.)Provisions for state personnel to have right of entry for inspection.
5.) Provisions that legally require applicators to posses certifications.
6.) Provisions requiring certified applicators to maintain records for at least two years.

Question 3

The Purposes of Pesticide and Pest Control Laws and Regulations
(Q1.2)

Answer 3

1. Provide for the proper, safe, and effective use of pesticides used in the production of food and fiber and the protection of public health and safety.
2. Protect the environment from environmentally harmful pesticides by prohibiting, regulating, or controlling their uses.
3. Assure that agricultural and pest control workers have safe working conditions where pesticides are present
4. Authorize pest control and make sure that it is done by competent, responsible licensees and permittees under strict control of DPR and the county agricultural commissioner.
5. Assure applicators, consumers, and other users that the pesticides they use are properly labeled and are appropriate for the uses designated on the label, and
6. Encourage the development and implementation of integrated pest management systems, stressing the integration of biological and cultural pest control techniques with the use of selective pesticides, when these are necessary, to achieve acceptable levels of control with the least possible harm to non-target organisms and the environment

Question 4

Department of Pesticide Regulations (DPR)
(Qi.1)

Is the State Lead Agency for developing and implementing a statewide pesticide regulatory program.

Answer 4

Responsible for regulating all aspects of pesticide, sales and use, to promote environmental and public health; this includes certifying and licensing individuals and businesses that work in the agricultural/nonagricultural pesticides/pest control industries and enforce the respective laws and regulations.

Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) exists within DPR, and certifies structural pest control applicators and licenses structural pest control businesses, including some enforcement.

Question 5

Cooperating Agencies
(Qi.3)

1. ) California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) through the County Agriculture Commissioners Office (CAC)
2. ) University of California, Davis, Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM)
3. ) Department of Public Health (DPH), Division of Communicable Disease Control
4. ) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)

Answer 5

1. ) Certify private pesticide applicators and conduct local enforcement of pesticide use, laws and regulations.
2. ) DPR contracts with UC IPM to develop pesticide applicator certifications and training study guides.
3. ) Certify vector pest control applicators and develop study guides.
4. ) Contracts with DPR to enforce pesticide residue tolerances on food shipped in interstate commerce. (Domestically produced and imported foods)

Question 6

Commercial Applicator (QAL) and Pest Control Advisor (PCA)

Answer 6

Pass the core examination on Pesticide Laws and Regulations and at least one pest control category (relative to scope of work)

UC IPM Study materials~The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides”

Question 7

Private Applicator Certificate (PAC)

To use or supervise California restricted material including federal restricted pesticides in the production of an Ag. commodity. The CAC administers the examination and issues the certificate.

DPR-Pesticide Enforcement Branch (916)3244100
DPR-Licensing and Certification Program (916)4454038

Answer 7

No examination is required for the following licenses:

• Pest control business license
• No-fee pest control business license
• Maintenance Gardener Pest control business license
• Pesticide broker license.

Question 8

Laws and Regulations
(Qi.4)

California Legislature passes pesticide use laws to address specific concerns over pesticide sales and use. If regulations are needed to carry out the requirements in the law, DPR is responsible for writing and implementing the regulations.

Answer 8

Each CAC has the authority to propose additional regulations and if approved through DPR, only apply in his or her county. These are not the same as restricted material use permit conditions.