Plant ProtectionCertificate of Achievement

Share my plan
Community of interest
Industrial Technologies & Agriculture
Award
Certificate of Achievement
Program code
31512.00CA
Department
Environmental Hort
CIP code
01.1105: Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management.
TOP code
0103.10 - Agricultural Pest Control Adviser and Operator (Licensed)*
This certificate prepares candidates for the California State Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) License examinations and Qualified Applicator License exams. It meets the minimum educational qualifications, and prepares students for exams in IPM principles, laws and regulations, pest identification, physical and biological sciences, crop health, pest management systems and methods, and production systems. Technical experience is highly encouraged through work experience placement. PCAs have a rewarding career and earn a competitive salary. They have several career avenues to choose from such as state agencies, corporations, sole proprietary companies, and academic professions. There has never been a better time to enter the crop protection industry.
Program detailsAward, code, department, CIP/TOP

Program Snapshot

Community of interest
ITAG Industrial Technologies & Agriculture
Award
Certificate of Achievement
Program code
31512.00CA
Department
Environmental Hort
CIP code
01.1105: Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management.
TOP code
0103.10 - Agricultural Pest Control Adviser and Operator (Licensed)*

Next Steps

Map Class Schedule

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

Program Schedule ReportMeet with a counselor
Plant Protection
Certificate of Achievement — expand to learn about this award

A career-aligned credential built around a specific field of study or area of emphasis. Faster to complete than a degree, and the coursework typically stacks into a related AS or AA later if you choose to continue.

See the 2025-26 Catalog for official program details

Semester-by-Semester Map

Term 1

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

12–15 units
EH 60
Principles of Integrated Pest Management
3 units
course details

This course covers the origin, history, and management of insect, plant pathogen, weed, and other pests of field and horticulture crops. Pest biology and life cycles are studied to demonstrate the use of various Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies for economic crop production. Pesticide regulations, application, formulations, and materials for specific uses are covered.

Physical, Biological, and Natural Sciences (Select one):

Required

3–5 units
Choose one of 7 choices
Choose one of 7 choices

Crop Health (Select one):

Required

3–4 units
Choose one of 5 choices
Choose one of 5 choices

Production Systems (Select one):

Required

3 units
Choose one of 11 choices
Choose one of 11 choices

Term 2

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

12–15 units

Physical, Biological, and Natural Sciences (Select one):

Required

3–5 units
Choose one of 7 choices
Choose one of 7 choices

Crop Health (Select one):

Required

3–4 units
Choose one of 5 choices
Choose one of 5 choices

Pest Management (Select one):

Required

3 units
Choose one of 2 choices
Choose one of 2 choices

Production Systems (Select one):

Required

3 units
Choose one of 11 choices
Choose one of 11 choices

Term 3

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

19–23 units

Physical, Biological, and Natural Sciences (Select one or two to meet 12 units):

Required

3–5 units
Choose one of 6 choices
Choose one of 6 choices

Crop Health (Select one):

Required

3–4 units
Choose one of 5 choices
Choose one of 5 choices

Select any 9 units Crop Health, Pest Management and Production Systems not used

Only if necessary to meet 42 minimum units required.

Career Connections

2-Year Degree Paths

Entry points students may pursue after associate-level study, technical preparation, or licensure pathways.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset point cleanly to an immediate 2-year outcome for this program.

4-Year Degree Paths

Roles that more often open up after transfer and a bachelor's degree.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the 4-year pathway for this program.

Graduate School Paths

Advanced roles commonly associated with graduate, professional, or post-baccalaureate study.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the graduate-school pathway for this program.

Source Notes

Course sequencing is generated from the Acadia Program Mapper cache. Career groupings use local CIP-to-SOC mappings and BLS occupation data when available. Confirm education plans with Counseling and Advising.

No NCES/IPEDS CIP-to-SOC mapping was found for this program's CIP code.

Last generated 2026-06-12T23:21+00:00