Pest Control Advisors (PCA) are licensed professional production consultants who serve California agriculture producers. PCAs specialize in pest management, but are also an important resource in a wide range of production concerns related to plant health. Whether you are a first-time student with an interest in pest management or a working professional looking to change your career, West Hills’ PCA certificate program can help you advance toward this in-demand job.
PCA certificate courses are designed to align with the state of California’s C-I, making them transferable to colleges throughout the state. Students who complete WHCC’s PCA certificate program as well as 24 months of applicable work experience are qualified to take the California Department of Pesticide Regulations (CDPR) Agricultural Pest Control Advisor (PCA) exam. This program offers 43 units of coursework designed to fulfill the educational requirements to take the PCA exam.
Outcomes
- Students will be able to provide written pest management recommendations.
- Students will become an authority on agricultural use.
- Students will understand the sales of products or services for agricultural use.
Integrated Pest Management Program Course Requirements |
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CRPSCI 32 |
Weeds and Poisonous Plants |
3 Units |
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CRPSCI 44 |
Economic Entomology |
3 Units |
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CRPSCI 45 |
California Pest Control Laws and Regulations |
2 Units |
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CRPSCI 46 |
lntegrated Pest Management |
3 Units |
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Total Needed in Core Requirements |
11 Units |
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In addition to the core courses the student must take at least 3 units from Plant Science and 4 units from Agriculture Fundamentals |
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Plant Science Requirements (Choose 1 Course) |
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| CRPSCI l | Introduction to Plant Science | 3 Units |
| CRPSCI 2 | Plant Science Theory | 3 Units |
| Total Needed in Plant Science Requirements | 3 Units | |
Agriculture Fundamentals (Choose Courses that equal at least 4 units) |
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| AG 10 | Introduction to Agriculture | 3 Units |
| AG 11 | Agriculture Sales and Communication | 3 Units |
| AG BUS 15 | Computer Application to Agriculture | 3 Units |
| AET 10 | Surveying | 3 Units |
| AET 11 | Advanced Surveying with GIS Applications | 2 Units |
| AET 15 | CAD for Agriculture | 2 Units |
| AET 16 | CAD Applications for Land Management in Agriculture | 1 unit |
| AET 21 | Ag-lrrigation Management | 3 Units |
| AET 22 | Irrigation Evaluation and Design Principles | 4 Units |
| CRPSCI 6 | Introduction to Precision Agriculture | 3 Units |
| CRPSCI 7 | Advanced Precision Agriculture | 3 Units |
| CRPSCI 19 | California Water | 3 Units |
| CRPSCI 36 | Fertilizers and Soil Amendments | 3 Units |
| SLSCI 21 | Soils | |
| Total Needed in Plant Science Requirements | 4 Units | |