CAPCA | General Information

LICENSED BY CALIFORNIA EPA

CAPCA members provide crop production advice concerning land preparation, planting, fertilization, irrigation, cultivation and harvesting of food, fiber, ornamental crops and landscape settings. CAPCA members are licensed by the State of California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) Licensing/Certification Program to provide recommendations for the agriculture use of pest management materials, including chemical pesticides, organic pesticides and beneficial insects.

SCIENCE-BASED WITH STRONG CONTINUING EDUCATION

Qualifications for licensing include a BA or BS degree in Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Pest Management or technical experience and college level curriculum that includes science courses for a total of 42 semester or 63 quarter units. The applicant must then pass a written examination in the categories in which they expect to work and provide consulting advice. To maintain a PCA license, they must complete a minimum of 40 hours of Cal EPA approved instruction relating to pest management within each two-year licensing period.

PUBLIC RECORD OF ACTIONS

Licensed pest control advisers provide written recommendations that must address 13 specific areas, including worker safety, environmental impact and a detailed plan for the use of pest management materials. Recommendations are subject to review by the County Agricultural Commissioners and Cal EPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation and kept on file for one year.

A STRONG ASSOCIATION PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM

CAPCA is dedicated to the professional development and enhancement of our member's education and stewardship, which includes legislative, regulatory, continuing education and public outreach activities.

CAPCA membership covers a broad spectrum of the industry including agricultural consulting firms, U.C. Cooperative Extension Service, city, county and state municipalities, public agencies, privately employed, forensic pest management firms, biological control suppliers, distributors, dealers of farm supplies, seed companies, laboratories, farming companies and manufacturers of pest management products.

CAPCA is a non-profit mutual benefit 501 C (6) corporation. CAPCA was organized in 1972 and formed in 1974 to further the well being of and to upgrade the qualification of its members and to provide technical information, encourage careful and skillful use of pest management practices. A Board of Directors elected by local CAPCA Chapter organizations governs CAPCA. Currently, CAPCA consists of 16 Chapters located in specific agricultural areas from Oregon to Mexico.

Professionals In Pest Management

The California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) represents more than 75% of the nearly 3,000 California EPA licensed pest control advisers (PCAs) that provide pest management consultation for the production of food, fiber and ornamental industries of this state.

CAPCA's mission is to facilitate the success of the licensed pest control adviser. CAPCA's purpose is to serve as the leader in the evolution of the pest management industry through the communication of reliable information.