The Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA), the largest association in Virginia representing pest control operators in the structural pest control industry, strongly supports the Petition for Rulemaking to amend 2 VAC 5-685 to create a new certification category for pest control measures of public health significance.

Creating a distinct category to separate the training and licensing requirements for area-wide pest control programs of public health significance from those for non-area-wide (backyard) pest control measures is essential to maintaining and improving the safe and effective use of pesticides across the Commonwealth.

Continual advancements in pest control products, technology, and methods are critical to helping Virginia’s pest control operators confront the growing threat of insect-borne diseases. Applicator technicians are expected to enhance their knowledge throughout their careers and ultimately obtain advanced credentials, including the Certified Applicator License.

However, many qualified technicians face a significant barrier: the current Category 8 – Public Health Pest Control examination includes content focused on area-wide control programs and aerial or large-scale application techniques—topics that are irrelevant to technicians who conduct only backyard or localized mosquito control. These individuals often lack experience with such large-scale operations, and the inclusion of these topics unnecessarily limits their ability to advance professionally.

Establishing a separate category or subcategory focused on non-area-wide pest control would ensure that training and examinations are directly relevant to the scope of work performed by backyard mosquito control applicators. This targeted approach would promote better understanding and safer pesticide use without diluting the standards for broader public health pest control programs.

The VPMA believes that this adjustment will strengthen Virginia’s pest management workforce by encouraging more technicians to pursue certification. Expanding access to relevant, role-specific training and licensure will enhance professional development and elevate the industry’s overall capacity to apply pesticides safely and effectively throughout the Commonwealth.

We respectfully urge the Board to approve the petition and move forward with rulemaking to establish a distinct certification category for non-area-wide mosquito and other pest control measures of public health significance.

Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to ensuring pesticide safety and effectiveness in Virginia.

My name is Rhonda, and I am with Commonwealth Exterminators, a licensed pest control company in Virginia. We employ 11 certified pesticide applicators across the Commonwealth.

We fully support the VPMA Petition for Rulemaking to create a new certification category that separates area-wide public health pest control from non-area-wide (backyard) mosquito control.

This change will make certification requirements more relevant and achievable for commercial applicators, while maintaining high standards for safety and professionalism. Many technicians struggle to pass the current Category 8 exam because it includes questions unrelated to the work they perform. This adjustment would allow them to advance their careers and strengthen our industry’s capacity to protect public health.

Thank you for considering this important issue. We urge the Board to approve the petition.”

Good morning,
My name is Alex Sullivan, and I am with Accel Pest and Termite Control, a licensed pest control company in Virginia. We employ numerous certified pesticide applicators across the Commonwealth.

We fully support the VPMA Petition for Rulemaking to create a new certification category that separates area-wide public health pest control from non-area-wide (backyard) mosquito control.

This change will make certification requirements more relevant and achievable for commercial applicators, while maintaining high standards for safety and professionalism. Many technicians struggle to pass the current Category 8 exam because it includes questions unrelated to the work they perform. This adjustment would allow them to advance their careers and strengthen our industry’s capacity to protect public health.

Thank you for considering this important issue. We urge the Board to approve the petition.

Kindly, 
Alex S. 
Peninsula Area Manager
Accel Pest and Termite Control

It would be a good thing to split the category 8 into right of way and backyard as they are two very different things.  And it would help to get more people certified to help with supervision of seasonal work forces.

My name is Jill Cox, and I am the business manager with Mark's Pest Control, a licensed pest control company in Virginia. We employ 11 certified pesticide applicators across the Commonwealth.

We fully support the VPMA Petition for Rulemaking to create a new certification category that separates area-wide public health pest control from non-area-wide (backyard) mosquito control.

We feel that having the public health certification has prevented us from adding mosquito control to our services that our customers want.  We are asked often to add this service to private homes during the summer season, and we can not offer it do to the extra certification required.  We would not need the public health certification for any other reason than private mosquito control.

This change will make certification requirements more relevant and achievable for commercial applicators, while maintaining high standards for safety and professionalism. Many technicians struggle to pass the current Category 8 exam because it includes questions unrelated to the work they perform. This adjustment would allow them to advance their careers and strengthen our industry’s capacity to protect public health.

Thank you for considering this important issue. We urge the Board to approve the petition.

Trân trọng,

Jill Cox, Business Manager

and licensed technician

Due to the demand for mosquito control around public housing to protect the health of Virginians it is important that we train and license individuals accordingly. The existing tests are based on commercial application methods and equipment that are not used in residential mosquito control resulting in a high failure rate. We need a separate form of testing that will result in properly trained technicians with the knowledge of the equipment that is being used to provide such services.  

My name is Ben Carter with PermaTreat Pest Control.  I have been in the industry for over 19 years now.  We employ over 75 employees that are licensed in the state.  

We fully support the VPMA petition for rulemaking to create a new certification that separates area-wide public health pest control from non-area-wide (backyard/ residential) mosquito control.  I know personally, it took me a few attempts to pass the exam, because if the broad questioning in areas we do not service.  

This type of change is good across the board for the industry in Virginia, allowing companies to focus training and education to what matters for their business.  

And hopefully this will allow more to become licensed and knowledge in the proper categories for the applications.  

Thank you for your consideration to this matter and look forward to your approval.  

We employ [20] certified pesticide applicators across the Commonwealth.

We fully support the VPMA Petition for Rulemaking to create a new certification category that separates area-wide public health pest control from non-area-wide (backyard) mosquito control.

Our number one priority is ensuring that our staff have the proper training for their specific job. The wide range of content on the current test makes it difficult for applicants to pass.  

This change will make certification requirements more relevant and achievable for commercial applicators, while maintaining high standards for safety and professionalism. Many technicians struggle to pass the current Category 8 exam because it includes questions unrelated to the work they perform. This adjustment would allow them to advance their careers and strengthen our industry’s capacity to protect public health.

Thank you for considering this important issue. We urge the Board to approve the petition.