Pest Control Adviser Preparation
Certificate of Achievement Agriculture, Nutrition & Culinary Arts · Bakersfield College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Pest Control Adviser Preparation Certificate of Achievement
The Pest Control Adviser Preparation Certificate of Achievement is designed for students preparing for or advancing in careers in crop protection and pest control. The Pest Control Adviser Preparation program will prepare students for a wide variety of entry-level positions related to pest identification, prevention, control methods and applications of crop protection materials. Pest Control Advisers (PCAs) are licensed professional production consultants who serve California agriculture, natural resource and horticulture producers. PCAs specialize in pest management, but they are also an important resource to producers in a wide range of production concerns related to plant health. This program prepares candidates for the California State Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) License examinations and Qualified Applicator License (QAL) exams. The courses meet the minimum educational qualifications, and prepare students for exams in IPM principles, laws and regulations, pest identification, physical and biological sciences, crop health, pest management systems and methods, and production systems. In addition to completing the course work with a 2.0 grade point average or better, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation requires PCA license exam applicants to have completed 24 months of technical work experience before taking the exam. To complete the Pest Control Adviser Preparation Certificate of Achievement, students must complete 42 units with a "C" or better in the required classes listed on the certificate.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate with clients, assess pest damage for ecological and economic sustainability, determine thresholds and implement IPM practices based on client/crop needs.
2. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to explain and apply basic principles of Integrated Pest Management, entomology and botany to agricultural practices and pesticide mode of action.
3. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to demonstrate specific skills related to plant science needed for employment as a Pest Control Advisor.
Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Pest Control Adviser Preparation Classes (Total 42): Complete all of the following | 42 | |
| CRPS B1 | Principles of Crop Production | 3 |
| CRPS B2 | Forage Crops | 3 |
| CRPS B3 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| CRPS B4 | Vegetable Production | 3 |
| CRPS B5 | Plant Science | 3 |
| CRPS B6 | Plant Pest Identification and Control | 3 |
| FORE B1 | Introduction to Forestry | 3 |
| FORE B2 | Natural Resources and the Environment | 3 |
| NRES B1 | Range Management | 3 |
| ORNH B1 | Introduction to Ornamental Horticulture | 3 |
| ORNH B12 | Landscape Maintenance | 3 |
| List A (Total 6) | 6 | |
| MCAG B5 | Agriculture Irrigation Technology | 3 |
| ORNH B9 | Introduction to Tree Care and Urban Forestry | 3 |
| ORNH B10 | Landscape Irrigation | 3 |
| List B (Total 3) | 3 | |
| ORNH B6 | Ornamental Plant Identification - Ground Covers, Vines, and Dwarf Shrubs | 3 |
| ORNH B7 | Ornamental Plant Identification - Large Shrubs, Small Trees, Large Trees, and Palms | 3 |