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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 3Ch. 14Art. 4§ 8560 Pest Control License Branches

§ 8560 Pest Control License Branches

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8560 Pest Control License Branches

Key Takeaways

  • •You need a special license to work in pest control, and it only covers the type of pest work you passed the test for.
  • •There are three types of pest control licenses: one for using poison gas (Branch 1), one for regular bugs in homes (Branch 2), and one for termites and wood pests (Branch 3).
  • •You can get a license for more than one type if you pass the tests for each, but it still counts as one license.
  • •To pass the test, you need to score at least 70% in every subject for the type of pest control you want to do.

Example

If you want to kill termites in people's houses, you need to take the test for Branch 3.

You can't just use any bug spray—you have to pass the test for termites to get the right license. If you also want to kill regular bugs like ants, you’d need to pass the Branch 2 test too.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8560 Pest Control License Branches

(a) Licenses issued to operators, field representatives, or applicators shall be limited to the branch or branches of pest control for which the applicant has qualified by application and examination. (b) For the purpose of delimiting the type and character of work authorized by the various branch licenses, the practice of pest control is classified into the following branches: (1) Branch 1.  Fumigation. The practice relating to the control of household and wood-destroying pests or organisms by fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. (2) Branch 2.  General pest. The practice relating to the control of household pests, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. (3) Branch 3.  Termite. The practice relating to the control of wood-destroying pests or organisms by the use of insecticides, or structural repairs and corrections, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. (c) The board may issue a license for a combination of two or more branches for which an applicant qualifies under the provisions of this chapter, and the combination license shall be considered one license. (d) Unless otherwise authorized by the board, all examinations shall be supplied by the board. All examinations shall be kept for a period of one year, upon the expiration of which these records may be destroyed on order of the board. Each applicant for license as an operator or a field representative shall be designated by a number instead of by name, and the identity thereof shall not be disclosed until the examinations are graded. A person shall not be admitted to the examination room except members of the board, the examining personnel, and the applicants. (e) The board shall make rules and regulations for the purpose of securing fair, impartial, and proper examinations. (f) Licensees may be licensed in other branches upon complying with the requirements for qualification and by examination in those other branches. A failure of the licensee to pass examination in the other branch or branches shall not have any effect on existing licenses. (g) The examination shall be in each of the subjects specified in the branch or branches relating to the respective applications. A license according to the applications shall be granted to any applicant who shall make a general average of not less than 70 percent on each of the subjects of the branch or branches. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 560, Sec. 17. (SB 1244) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

fumigationexaminationregulationlicensecombinationgeneral pestapplicationexpiration

Related Statutes

  • § 4996.3 Clinical Social Worker Fees
  • § 8564.5 Pesticide Applicator Licensing Requirements
  • § 8562 Pest Control Operator Licensing
  • § 8564 Field Representative Licensing Requirements
  • § 8564.6 Applicator License Application Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 8560.
View Official Source