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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

CAPCA and its members are committed to investing in the education of the next generation of pest management professionals.

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.

Application Requirements:
+ SWS Scholarship Application 
+ Personal Statement
+ Official transcripts
+ TWO (2) Letters of Recommendation

Download Application
Application Deadline:
May 4, 2026

Submit application packet by MAIL to: 

Stanley W. Strew Educational Fund, Inc. c/o CAPCA
PO Box 255382
Sacramento, CA 95825

or via EMAIL to: scholarship@capca.com

  • Applications are available for students who are currently attending college in an agricultural/horticultural related field or who are entering or returning to college in an agricultural/horticultural related field in the fall of 2026.
  • Priority will be given to students at the junior or senior standing in the fall of 2026.
  • Master’s degree/doctorate students are NOT eligible.
  • Students attending junior or community college ARE eligible.
  • Students who hold a DPR license (QAC, QAL, PCA etc.) ARE eligible.
  • Students who meet the eligibility requirements are invited to apply annually (even if they have received the scholarship previously).

Monterey Bay CAPCA
2026 Jose Luis Mandujano Memorial Scholarship

Monterey Bay CAPCA is sponsoring a $1000 academic scholarship to eligible California students.

TO APPLY:

  1. Download application packet and review eligibility criteria.
  2. Complete the application and email to malfaro@naturesreward.net (email on application) by April 1, 2026.
  3. The Monterey Bay Chapter will review and select scholarship recipient(s).
Download Application

CAPCA Desert Valleys 2026 Scholarship Opportunities

Desert Valleys is sponsoring five scholarship opportunities for high school and college students in 2026.

TO APPLY:

  1. Download the application packet and review eligibility criteria.
  2. Complete you rapplication and submit it via the directions.
  3. The Desert Valleys Chapter will review and select scholarship recipients.
Download Application