§3368. Structural pest control operator's license

A. Except as otherwise provided in R.S. 3:3369, no person shall apply pesticides in connection with structural pest control work unless that person has a structural pest control operator's license.

B. A structural pest control operator's license shall be issued only after the applicant has satisfactorily passed a written examination. The examination shall include the general standards examination required by the EPA and a separate examination for the category in which the applicant desires to be licensed.

C. Each applicant for examination shall possess one of the following qualifications in order to take the examination:

(1) A degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in entomology.

(2) A degree from an accredited four-year college or university with at least twelve semester hours of coursework in entomology and at least one year of experience as a registered technician under the supervision of a licensee in the license category for which the applicant desires to take the examination.

(3) Four years of experience as a registered technician under the supervision of a licensee in the license phase for which the applicant desires to take the examination.

(4) Four years of experience as a technician under the supervision of a structural pest control operator in another state in the license category for which the licensee desires to take the examination. Experience with an out of state structural pest control operator shall be substantiated by evidence acceptable to the commission.

D. Each applicant for examination shall submit a written application which shall contain such information as the commission by rule may require and which shall be accompanied by the examination fee and by proof of experience and education acceptable to the commission.

E. The examination shall be administered at the domicile of the commission within forty-five days after the application for examination is received by the commission.

F. The examination shall test the applicant's practical and scientific knowledge of structural pest control including the ability to recognize and control hazardous conditions which might have an adverse effect on human health and safety.

G. Persons who successfully complete the examination may apply for a structural pest control operator's license. The application shall be in writing, shall contain such information as the commission by rule may require, and shall be accompanied by the license fee.

H. A structural pest control operator's license shall not be issued unless the applicant has applied for and is eligible to receive a place of business permit or submits evidence acceptable to the commission that the applicant will be employed by a person who holds a place of business permit.

I. The commission shall issue a license and a commercial applicator's certification card to each person who successfully completes the examination and meets the other requirements of this Section.

J. Each licensee shall participate in continuing educational programs as a condition of obtaining recertification as a certified commercial applicator. The commission by rule shall establish requirements for continuing education for licensees, including the substantive content of the course and the amount of time which must be spent attending the course.

K. Structural pest control licenses are not transferable.

Acts 1984, No. 800, §1, eff. July 13, 1984; Acts 1988, No. 149, §1.