AB 1685: ELECTRONIC TESTING-SPONSORED BY PCOC – A GREAT WAY FORWARD

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Great news! The 21st century has finally come to the pest control industry. Electronic testing is coming this month! The Structural Pest Control Board and the Department of Consumer Affairs are rolling it out this month. In order for the legal statutes for the fee increase to be permanent, legislation needs to be passed. That is where PCOC comes in: We are sponsoring legislation this year, AB 1685, introduced by Assemblyman Das Williams, to do just that!

We need your help. Contact your local state assembly member and state senator and let them know you support AB 1685. Here are some talking point for you to use:

BACKGROUND:

 - The current system of examination is a written exam just as it was given more than 30 years ago.

 - It is given in Northern and Southern California only once a month in each location.

 - Due to the antiquated testing, tests have been compromised numerous times, costing the SPCB tens of thousands dollars. Not to mention that the tests had to be postponed to be rewritten, also costing industry tens of thousands of dollars in payroll and job losses.

WHAT AB 1685 DOES:

 - It creates Computer-Based Testing (CBT). Every test will be different.

 - Applicants will be monitored during testing in very secure sites.

 - Approximately 20 other boards and bureaus use this vendor.

 - It allows the SPCB to easily make adjustments to exams, depending if there's very high or low passing rate on a particular questions.

 - It would allow the SPCB to test new sample test questions for future exams.

 - It would be offered in 17 locations in California and 22 location nationwide.

 - Testing would be available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This gives great flexibly to employers and applicants to schedule their date/time/ location.

 - Applicants will receive their results on site, with either a Licensing Application form or Re-Examination form.

 - Fees will not be more than, and probably will be less than, the proposed increases. This will allow for adjustments in the future.

Pest Control Operators of California
www.pcoc.org

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