Almost every profession that requires exams or continuing education has a study guide that allows aspirants to that profession to prepare for the test. You would think this is common sense. In fact, every licensing Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs has a study guide for the same purpose. That is every Board except one: the Structural Pest Control Board.

Why, you may well ask, do we not have a study guide? Those of you who have been around a long time may remember a time when PCOC developed a study guide. A great idea...except we were then told to cease and desist because it encouraged cheating on the tests! So there has been no study guides available for those potential employees of the pest control industry in California who want to prepare to enter our profession.

The good news is: that’s all about to change. This has all come to a head as a result of the pass rate plummeting and the desperate need for relevant questions on the tests themselves. PCOC, in meetings with Board staff and at presentations to the Board, has been forging ahead in the development of a study guide for all three branches. Our PCOC Board of Directors have given the green light to proceed. We have set up three taskforces to develop the material. At the last SPCB meeting, legal counsel made a finding that there was no impediment to a study guide being produced as long as it didn’t compromise the test. This is significant because it now gives PCOC the protection we need to produce a study guide.

Good things are in the works! Stay tuned on this important issue......