Eligibility Requirements

The PHE certificate program is designed to benefit the practicing pest control/vector control professional. You do not need an advanced degree to participate, just a solid grasp of the practical aspects of applied entomology. 

Applicants without an academic entomology degree

Applicants without a bachelor's degree (or higher) in entomology must have the following:

  • A current, US state, US military, territory, or tribal-issued license or certificate that allows the holder to apply pesticides without supervision. This licensure must require continuing education to remain current (if the applicant’s state does not require ongoing education to hold a license then the applicant is automatically exempted from this portion of the requirements). Applicant must send a copy of this document to  ESA's Certification Program with completed application,
  • A minimum of 5 years of verifiable experience in the United States as proven by a resume, CV, or attestation of employment from your employer.
  • The ability to take and pass an online test of your knowledge of vector control,
  • Two letters of professional reference. These should be from current or former employers, major clients, professional colleagues, or others who can speak to your professionalism, entomological knowledge, and your ethical standards.
  • The application fee, which includes your first year of certification and the online examination, and
  • A willingness to adhere to the PHE Certificate Code of Ethics.

Applicants who hold an academic entomology degree

For those applicants who also hold an advanced degree in entomology or a related life science, the requirements are slightly different. A copy of the applicant's academic transcripts must accompany the application in order to claim the lower experiential requirements and all the other requirements remain the same. 

  • A bachelor's degree in entomology (or a related life science) reduces the requirement to 3 years of verifiable in the United States attained post-degree.
  • A master's degree in entomology (or a related life science) reduces the requirement to 2 years of verifiable pest management experience in the United States attained post-degree.
  • A PhD in entomology (or a related life science) reduces the requirement to 1 year of verifiable pest management experience in the United States attained post-degree.

Non-U.S.A. applicants

The PHE Certificate is currently only offered in the United States. Stay tuned for more info on an international program.