SECTIONS 11901-11911 - California Statutes

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE

SECTION 11901-11911

11901. It is unlawful for any person to operate any aircraft in
pest control unless the pilot operating the aircraft holds a valid
pest control aircraft pilot's certificate issued by the director and
an appropriate and valid commercial pilot's certificate and a current
appropriate medical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation
Administration.

11902. Each certificate shall designate the pest control aircraft
pilot's status as either a journeyman or an apprentice.

11903. A fee as prescribed by the director pursuant to Section
11502.5 shall accompany each application for an initial certificate.

11904. Every certificate shall expire on December 31 of the year
for which it is issued. Certificates may be renewed before the
expiration date by application to the director and upon payment of a
fee as prescribed by the director pursuant to Section 11502.5. A
penalty fee as prescribed by the director pursuant to Section 11502.5
shall be paid by an applicant who applies for renewal after the
expiration date.

11905. Before an initial certificate is issued, the applicant for
apprentice or the applicant for journeyman shall pass an examination
to demonstrate to the director his ability to legally and safely
conduct pest control operations and his knowledge of the nature and
effect of materials which are used in pest control.

11906. A journeyman's certificate shall not be issued to any
applicant, other than the holder of an apprentice certificate, unless
such applicant has had in effect a journeyman's certificate issued
by the director within the previous two calendar years.

11907. A journeyman's certificate shall not be issued until the
applicant has served as an apprentice under a certificate issued
pursuant to this chapter for one year and until the applicant
presents to the director satisfactory documentary proof consisting of
a declaration or affidavit by the holder of a journeyman's
certificate attesting to the applicant's performance, under the
attesting journeyman's direct and personal supervision, of not less
than 150 hours of operation of fixed-wing aircraft or 50 hours of
operation of nonfixed-wing aircraft within the previous two calendar
years in pest control activities, together with any other evidence as
the director may require.

11908. Each applicant for an apprentice certificate shall satisfy
the director, through documentary evidence or other suitable
information, that the applicant shall conduct pest control activities
only under the direct and personal supervision of a person that
holds a journeyman's certificate.

11909. It is unlawful for the holder of an apprentice certificate
to conduct pest control activities unless such activities are
conducted under the direct and personal supervision of a person that
holds a journeyman's certificate.

11910. The director may refuse to issue a certificate to any pest
control aircraft pilot and may revoke or suspend the certificate of
any such pilot, after a hearing, upon finding that the pilot is not
qualified to conduct the pest control operations in accordance with
the certificate, or that the pilot does not hold an appropriate and
valid commercial pilot's certificate and a current appropriate
medical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, or
that the pilot has violated any provision of this division or
Division 7 (commencing with Section 12501) pertaining to pesticides
or any regulation adopted pursuant to these provisions or any
regulation of an agricultural commissioner or any industrial safety
order of the Department of Industrial Relations or has not complied
with any order of the director or commissioner as authorized by
Section 11737.
The director may, pending a hearing, suspend or condition the
certificate of any pest control aircraft pilot when, upon an
investigation that the director determines to be necessary and upon
the receipt of affidavits by the enforcement personnel provided in
Section 11501.5 or injured parties, the director finds that
continuance of the certificate endangers public welfare or safety.
The director may terminate the suspension or condition upon the
taking of corrective action that the director determines to be
satisfactory to assure qualification or compliance with the law or
regulations. In that event, the matter may proceed to hearing as
though that action had not been taken.

11911. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, if the
holder of a certificate is called to active duty as a member of the
armed forces of the United States of America, the holder, upon the
termination of such active duty, is entitled to renewal of such
certificate in the same category, if he does all of the following:
(a) Makes application to the director.
(b) Pays the renewal fee required by the director.
(c) Demonstrates to the director his ability to conduct pest
control operations and his knowledge of the nature and effect of
materials which are used in pest control.