106-65.26. Qualifications for certified applicator and licensee; applicants for certified applicator's identification card and license.

(a) An applicant for a certified applicator's identification card or license must present satisfactory evidence to the Committee concerning his qualifications for such card or license.

(b) Certified Applicator. - Each applicant for a certified applicator's identification card must demonstrate that he possesses a practical knowledge of the pest problems and pest control practices associated with the phase or phases of structural pest control for which he is seeking certification.

(c) Licensee. - The basic qualifications for a license shall be:

(1) Qualify as a certified applicator for the phase or phases of structural pest control for which he is making application; and

(2) Two years as an employee or owner-operator in the field of structural pest control, control of wood-destroying organisms or fumigation, for which license is applied; or

(3) One or more years' training in specialized pest control, control of wood-destroying organisms or fumigation under university or college supervision may be substituted for practical experience. Each year of such training may be substituted for one year of practical experience; provided, however, if applicant has had less than 12 months' practical experience, the Committee is authorized to determine whether said applicant has had sufficient experience to take the examination; or

(4) A degree from a recognized college or university with training in entomology, sanitary or public health engineering, or related subjects; provided, however, if applicant has had less than 12 months' practical experience, the Committee is authorized to determine whether said applicant has had sufficient experience to take the examination.

(d) All applicants for license must have practical experience and knowledge of practical and scientific facts underlying the practice of structural pest control, control of wood-destroying organisms, or fumigation. No applicant is entitled to take an examination for the issuance of a license pursuant to this Article who has within five years of the date of application been convicted, entered a plea of guilty or of nolo contendre, or forfeited bond in any State or federal court for a violation of G.S. 106-65.25(b), any felony, or any crime involving moral turpitude.

(e) The Department of Public Safety may provide a criminal record check to the Committee for a person who has applied for a new or renewal license through the Committee. The Committee shall provide to the Department of Public Safety, along with the request, the fingerprints of the applicant, any additional information required by the Department of Public Safety, and a form signed by the applicant consenting to the check of the criminal record and to the use of the fingerprints and other identifying information required by the State or national repositories. The applicant's fingerprints shall be forwarded to the State Bureau of Investigation for a search of the State's criminal history record file, and the State Bureau of Investigation shall forward a set of the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history check. The Committee shall keep all information pursuant to this subsection privileged, in accordance with applicable State law and federal guidelines, and the information shall be confidential and shall not be a public record under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.

The Department of Public Safety may charge each applicant a fee for conducting the checks of criminal history records authorized by this subsection.