As a pest controller, you should ensure you're qualified to at least this level.

To study this course with BPCA there are a number of delivery options, including:

• Residential Classroom Programme - A one-week residential course and exam. You will be expected to study the online learning for a minimum of 6 weeks before studying the classroom element Sunday to Friday 
• Online Programme - You have up to 12 months to study the online General Pest Control (GPC) learning course. The study takes at least 60 hours. You then book and pay for RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management exam separately when ready
• Exam-Only Programme - You carry out self-study or study through your employer, then take the RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management exam

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Overview

You will learn about the main pest species, how to identify infestations and different methods of control.

During the Level 2 in Pest Management - General Pest Control (GPC) programme, you will learn:

1. Legislation relevant to public health pest control
2. Storage and transport of pesticides
3. Biology, behaviour and control of rats and mice
4. Control of other vertebrate pests including birds, rabbits, foxes, squirrels, moles and feral cats
5. Public health insect pest biology and control including cockroaches, ants, wasps, flies, biting insects, stored product insects
6. Pesticide application equipment
7. Personal protective equipment
8. Pesticide formulations and active ingredients

You can download the full RSPH syllabus here. You can view a sample exam paper here.

Level: Core
Prerequisites: Online learning 
Delivery: Blended (Classroom and Online learning), Online Learning, Exam only
Classroom Duration: 6 days
Online Study Time: 60+ hours
Access: 12 months
Assessment: Exam
BPCA Registered CPD points: 27 blended | 18 online learning 
BASIS Prompt CPD points: 24

This BPCA course is open to all, however, it is recommended that you have some experience in pest control before attending.

After completing the Level 2 in Pest Management - General Pest Control (GPC) programme, you may wish to study:

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Technical Programmes

Technical Programmes

• Practical Vertebrate Trapping
• Practical Insect Control 
• Bed Bug Control

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Plus+ Programmes

Plus+ Programmes

• Starting and Managing Your Own Pest Management Business
• Customer Service Essentials
• Level 2 Emergency First Aid at Work

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Delivery

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Residential Classroom Programme

Residential Classroom Programme and Online Learning

• Minimum at least 60 hours of online learning self-study online learning
• 6 days residential course
• RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management Exam exam (3 hours) 

For the residential course, you will be expected to study the online learning section for at least 6 weeks before studying the classroom elements.

The residential course runs from Sunday to Friday and concludes with the 45 question, RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management exam (3 hour written answers) on a Friday (included). This course is residential, however, if you prefer to travel, please state non-residential on your booking form. Please note you will be required to carry out homework each evening.

Includes:
• Classroom course
• Exam
• Online learning 
• All course material 
• Accommodation (residential only)
• Lunch
• Refreshments 
• Evening meal (residential only)
• BPM Manual

Course Times

• Arrive Sunday for 2 pm course start
• Each day 8:30 am - 6 pm, with evening work
• Course closes 4 pm Friday

You must complete your Online Learning section before attending the classroom course. Online learning is available 6 weeks before the course start. It takes at least 60 hours to complete. Once you pay the full course cost, you can request early access to the online learning. Please note if early access is requested and subsequently cancelled and you are entitled to a refund, the online learning fee will be deducted from your refund.

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Online Programme

Online Programme

• Available to study at any time through our online learning centre
• Access to the online learning materials for up to 12 months
• Study a minimum of 60 hours
• This option does not include the exam (please book this separately)

Our online learning portal allows you to study at locations and times to suit you so that when you are ready, you can take the RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management exam.

Learning is delivered in accessible bite-sized chunks. There are mini quizzes throughout the course for you to track your own progress and end of section quizzes to confirm your understanding.  Each time you take and end quiz, the questions change so you can keep cementing your knowledge.

Includes:
• Online only

Exam-Only Programme

You carry out self-study or study through your employer. Then take the RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management exam.

Book an exam

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Assessments

Regardless of how you study this course, by passing the exam you will achieve the RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management. The 3 hour written examination is open to anyone and consists of 45 written short answer questions set out in three papers concerning public health pest control:

Unit 1 - Vertebrates (15 questions)
Unit 2 - Invertebrates (15 questions)
Unit 3 - Health/Safety and Legislation (15 questions)

The exam paper covers the biology, behaviour and control of rodents and rabbits, squirrels, moles, feral cats, foxes and birds, control of insects (in particular, wasps, flies, cockroaches, Pharaoh ants, stored product insects and biting insects), legislation, safe storage and transportation of pesticides, use of application equipment, and much more.

Download a sample exam paper.

UK vs NON-UK Paper

BPCA acknowledges that the UK paper is accepted in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. If candidates choose to sit a Non-UK paper, it will be the responsibility of the candidate to check if it will be acceptable to local authorities, suppliers and employers.

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Fees

Residential Classroom Programme (with accommodation)

The course fee includes tuition, five nights accommodation from Sunday, meals from Sunday evening to Friday lunch, course reference materials and exam entry. You will also have access to the BPCA Online Learning for 6 weeks prior to the course and receive the BPM Manual during the classroom section of the course.

Residential Classroom Programme (without accommodation)

Cancellation Terms:

Course cancellations will only be accepted on receipt of written instruction and are effective from the date received by the BPCA.

• More than six weeks before course start date =  £100 (+VAT) deposit and online learning fee (if started early)
• Less than six weeks before course start date = 100% of fee

Please Note: A £100+VAT non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking the classroom programme. Final payment must be received 6 weeks before the classroom start date. Course bookings will not be accepted after the 6-week cut off date.

Online Programme

Cancellation Terms:

Online course cancellations will only be accepted on receipt of written instruction and are effective from the date received by the BPCA. Cancellations will not be given if online learning has been accessed.

• Less than 7 working days after purchase: No charge
• 7 working days or more after purchase: 100% of fee

Exam-Only Programme: Full paper (3 units):

Exam-Only Programme: Resit (1 unit):

Exam-Only Programme: Resit (2 units):

Cancellation Terms:

Course cancellations will only be accepted on receipt of written instruction and are effective from the date received by the BPCA.

• More than 15 working days prior to course: No charge
• 15 working days or less: 100% of fee

*Fast Track terms and conditions:

• Requests for fast track marking does not guarantee that this will be possible
• You should expect to receive results for fast track marking within 10-14 working days of RSPH receiving your papers
• If you do not receive your marks within the time scale (14 days), you will not be charged for the fast track service (or refunded if applicable) 

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Having completed the BPCA Level 2 Award in Pest Control course - the standard can only be described as excellent - which is what attracted me to do the course in the first instances, having reviewed courses provided by others. The course provided by the BPCA is clearly best in class giving participants extensive knowledge to deal with pest issues in the field.

Mervyn Walsh BA(Hons), HDip. EnvMgt, MEHAI, Field Conservation Biologist, Ecologica Pest Control

I did the Level 2 last week at Yarnfield and would just like to say how enjoyable the course was. The venue was excellent and Paul was a fantastic tutor and a natural teacher. I look forward to doing more training with the BPCA in the future.

James Fellows