Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education
Commercial applicators with last names beginning with letters A-L need to renew by December 31 in EVEN years. Applicators with last names beginning with M-Z need to renew by December 31 in ODD years.
Private applicators must complete six hours of DPR-approved continuing education and renew their certification every three years.
Courses must be completed by December 31 of the certification year.
The DPR prohibits course approval numbers to be provided prior to the completion of the course. For course approval verification please click here. We are currently working on California Agriculture 2024 courses to meet your 2024 continuing education requirements.
» View California Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Requirements
All applicators are required to renew their certification with the DPR every two years. Names beginning with A-L renew in even number years, M-Z in odd number years. Continuing education must be completed no later than midnight on 12/31 in order to count toward recertification credits. Individuals who do not complete their CE prior to midnight on 12/31 will need to re-test with the DPR. Certificates of completion or a list of CE courses completed must be sent in with renewal paperwork.
Certified 12- 20 Months
PCA - 20 hours - including 2 hours of law
QAL - 10 hours - including 2 hours of law
QAC - 10 hours - including 2 hours of law
Certified 21- 24 Months
PCA - 40 hours - including 4 hours of law
QAL - 20 hours - including 4 hours of law
QAC - 20 hours - including 4 hours of law
QAL and QAC applicators that ONLY hold category H, M, N, or Q need to complete the following continuing education rather than the amount listed above:
Certified 12- 20 Months
H - 2 hours including 1 hour of law
M - 4 hours including 1 hour of law
N - 4 hours including 1 hour of law
P - 4 hours including 1 hour of law
Q - 4 hours including 1 hour of law (QAC only)
Certified 21- 24 Months
H - 4 hours - including 2 hours of law
M - 8 hours - including 2 hours of law
N - 8 hours - including 2 hours of law
P - 8 hours - including 2 hours of law
Q - 8 hours - including 2 hours of law (QAC only)
Private applicators must complete six hours of DPR approved continuing education including two hours of laws and regulations.
Certified less than 12 months
Exempt from the continuing education requirement
Certified 21- 24 months
4 hours - including 2 hours of laws and regulations
Certified 25- 36 months
6 hours - including two hours of laws and regulations
California General Complete 20hr Bundle
Online HD Video | 20 hours
This 20 hour bundle is designed for the Qualified Applicator License or Certificate holder (QAL or QAC) and PCA This course bundle contains 2 hours of law and 18 hours of general training. All courses are approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Please click on course details for a list of specific courses.
California Private Applicator Complete Bundle
Online HD Video | 6 Hours
This course bundle is designed for the California Private Applicator. The course bundle contains two hours of Law and four hours of Other credit. All courses are approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Please click on course details for a list of specific courses.
California QAL and QAC 10hr Bundle
Online HD Video | 10 hours
This 10 hour bundle is designed for the Qualified Applicator License or Certificate holder (QAL or QAC) who have been certified 12-20 months. This course bundle contains 2 hours of law and 8 hours of general training. All courses are approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Please click on course details for a list of specific courses.
Common Landscape Pests of the West Coast | California DPR Approved
1 hour: Other
Learn to identify pests to manage them effectively. Proper identification prevents incorrect management methods or timing and can protect plants from damage. This course reviews how to identify and treat common landscape pests in California including invertebrates, weeds, vertebrates and disease agents.
Field Crop Pest Management | California DPR Approved
5 hours: Other
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food, feed, and fiber productions; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of field crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest invasions while protecting themselves and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides.
General Pesticide Use Safety | California DPR Approved
8 hours: Other
This course covers Respiratory Protection, Personal Protective Equipment & Emergency Response, Pesticide Application Procedures, Pesticide Formulations, Pesticide Hazards & First Aid, Pesticides in the Environment, Planning the Pesticide Application, and Transportation, Storage, Security, & Professional Conduct.
Intro to Mosquito Control and Management | California DPR Approved
4 hours: Other
Mosquito management is a daunting task for many applicators. When mosquito management is done incorrectly or isn't done at all, mosquitoes can make public spaces unusable. This course will discuss common methods of mosquito controls, everything from physical controls to pesticides, to record-keeping, all as part of a solid integrated pest management approach to mosquito control.
Review of Pesticide Laws, Regulations, and Rodenticides | California DPR Approved
2 hours: Law
This course is specific to California and teaches the federal and state laws for pesticide applications, based on Chapter 4 of the Pesticide and Pest Control Laws and Regulations of Landscape Maintenance Pest Control publication 3493. It also discusses the common types of rodenticides, their appropriate application, the risks involved with the use of each type of rodenticide, and takes a look at specific label language.