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. 

CDFA OPCA Grant PCA Intern Program:

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.

Application coming soon. Be sure to check back by December 2024 to apply.

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.

4-YEAR UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP:
$1500.00 scholarship to a Ventura or Santa Barbara County resident enrolled in a 4-year California College or University, preferably majoring in Plant Science or Agriculture.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
$500.00 scholarship to a Ventura or Santa Barbara County resident attending a Community College studying the field of agriculture or horticulture.

 

Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2024

Monterey Bay CAPCA Chapter

In our continued commitment to promote education and awareness of Agriculture in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, Monterey Bay CAPCA will offer at least one $1000 scholarship to a person(s) pursuing a career in Agriculture.

Applicant Requirements:

  1. Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s (4-year) or Associate’s (2-year) Degree in Agriculture
  2. Must be a resident of Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito Counties.

 

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

  • 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 2024.
  • Priority will be given to students at the junior or senior standing in the fall of 2024.
  • 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).

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