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.
We’re training up to four (4) interns from around the state to support the initiative with CDFA OPCA. Interns will be trained in the grant program details and will gain hands-on experience working alongside active PCAs in California.
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
TO APPLY:
Annual Scholarship Information
2026 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 actively engaged in a PCA career pathway. The scholarship recipient will be selected by the SWS Board of Directors.
Check back in
January 2026 for Details