I 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) public health pest control.

The current category 8 exam includes some content that is not relevant to backyard mosquito control. Technicians sitting for the exam struggle to understand content like area-wide fogging and other non-relevant material as they will never be exposed to that in their daily work.

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 your consideration. I strongly urge the Board to approve this petition.