Can a Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Business apply a restricted material with a Subcategory Q QAC?

A Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Business cannot apply a restricted material with a Subcategory Q Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC). Restricted materials are those that can pose a significant risk to human health or the environment and thus require specific training, certification, and adherence to safety measures.

The application of restricted materials in California is tightly regulated by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). A QAC with a Subcategory Q is authorized for specific types of pest control tasks typically related to landscape management and general garden maintenance. However, restricted materials are beyond the scope of what a Maintenance Gardener can apply unless they hold a different classification that allows for the use of those materials.

This classification reflects the importance of ensuring that only appropriately trained and certified individuals handle chemicals that can pose risks. Therefore, the regulations prohibit Maintenance Gardener Pest Control businesses from applying restricted materials under a Subcategory Q QAC, aligning with the priority of protecting public health and the environment.