Career Development
CAPCA takes your career development seriously and we work hard to ensure you have the resources to obtain and maintain your PCA license.
Career Development
CAPCA takes your career development seriously and we work hard to ensure you have the resources to obtain and maintain your PCA license.
How to Become a PCA
Interested in a career as a Pest Control Adviser?
Visit the California Department of Pesticide Regulation website and review the Complete Application for the Pest Control Adviser License. Review the three options and consider the most attainable route.
If you are a freshman or sophomore in college, talk to your academic advisor about how to complete both graduation and PCA minimum qualifications to stay on track. – If you are a junior, complete and submit your Pest Control Adviser License application with official transcripts to DPR via mail, in case you may be missing a few courses. Include dates to courses that you are planning to take and be prepared to hear back that you are deficient in those areas.
If your application has been approved by DPR, they will confirm one of your exam location and date choices. If you are missing courses in specific areas, DPR will get in touch with you regarding those areas.
Once you take your exams, DPR will notify you by mail regarding the results. If you pass, congratulations! You can expect your physical license to come in the mail in the next few weeks. If you did not pass your exams, DPR will send you an invitation to retest and asking you to select the next test location and date.
Industry Information for Students
Annual Scholarship Information
2024 Scholarship
One Stanley W. Strew scholarship opportunity is available for students interested in careers in the pest management industry. This scholarship is sponsored by the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) and administered by the Stanley W. Strew Educational Fund, Inc.
The CAPCA scholarship will provide $3,000 to a selected college student. The scholarship recipient will be selected by the Stanley W. Strew Board of Trustees.
Eligibility and Priority
Applicants should submit a completed application form and copies of their transcripts. APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY NO LATER THAN MAY 3, 2024 and submitted with required letters of recommendation so that the committee can make final selections. Application mailing address: Stanley W. Strew Educational Fund, Inc. C/O CAPCA, P.O. Box 255382, Sacramento, California 95825. OR email application and materials to scholarship@capca.com The student selected will be notified the second week of July.
If you have any questions, please contact CAPCA at (916) 928-1625 or email scholarship@capca.com
The winner will be announced in July and featured in the October issue of the Adviser magazine.
Ventura Chapter Awards $4,500 in Scholarships
Raúl Coronado – $2,500
Anthony Cancino – $1,000
Fernando Gómez – $1,000
Desert Valleys Chapter Awards $5,000 in Scholarships
Jesus Andrade
Alexandra Veysey
Donald Benedict