Sec. 1951.351. TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAM

(a) The department shall:

(1) develop or approve a training program for licensed technicians and for applicants to become licensed technicians; and

(2) require that an applicant for a technician license complete the training program.

(b) The department shall develop the educational and training materials for the training program with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service or any other institution of higher education. The department shall publish and distribute, in conjunction with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the materials developed as a part of the training program.

(c) The training program must include instruction in:

(1) recognition of pests and pest damage;

(2) pesticide labels and label comprehension;

(3) pesticide safety;

(4) environmental protection;

(5) procedures for the immediate reporting of spills and misapplications;

(6) application equipment and techniques;

(7) pesticide formulations and actions;

(8) emergency procedures and pesticide cleanup;

(9) state and federal law relating to structural pest control;

(10) basic principles of mathematics, chemistry, toxicology, and entomology;

(11) nonchemical pest control techniques, including biological, mechanical, and prevention techniques; and

(12) any other topic the department considers necessary.

(d) The department may create a technician training program advisory committee to assist the department in developing the training program required by this section.

(e) The department may approve a training program that has not been developed by the department if the program meets the standards adopted by the department for the program. Completion of a training program approved by the department under this subsection satisfies Subsection (a)(2).

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1421, Sec. 4, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 890 , Sec. 1.47, eff. September 1, 2007.