(a) Any person desiring to obtain a license for pest control service work shall make application to the State Plant Board on forms provided by the board, giving complete information requested.
(b) The applicant must prove to the satisfaction of the board that he or she is morally and financially responsible.
(c) An applicant must show proof of at least one (1) year of experience in the classification for which a license is desired or have completed at least two (2) years of work in an accredited college or university, including the completion of at least one (1) basic course in entomology, to be eligible to take the examination in either of the following classifications:
(1) Termite and other structural pests; or
(2) Household pests and rodent control.
(d)
(1) To demonstrate the ability of the applicant to perform the classification of work for which a license is desired and to demonstrate his or her knowledge of the nature and effect of pesticides and how to apply them safely and properly, the board shall prescribe in advance an examination in writing to be taken by the applicant and to be given by a person designated by the board who is not interested financially or otherwise in pest control service work in Arkansas.
(2) This representative shall examine the applicant by a written examination as prescribed, and the examination shall be graded by the examiner with the results being certified to the board for approval either as having passed or failed the examination as the case may be.
(e)
(1) The board is directed to give examinations on various classifications of pest control work on designated dates at least one (1) time each quarter.
(2) If the applicant is found qualified in one (1) or more of the classifications, he or she may be licensed to do the classification of work for which he or she is found qualified upon the payment of the required fees.
(f) By virtue of these qualifications, the applicant shall be eligible for certification under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act or state law as a commercial applicator.
(g) By rule, the board shall make provisions to ensure that applicators continue to meet the requirements of changing technology and to assure a continuing level of competence and ability to use pesticides safely and properly.
(h) Any licensee who fails to renew his or her license for a period of two (2) years shall be required to follow the same procedure as a new applicant in obtaining another license.