Master Technician Program Overview
This career-advancing program is composed of a series of workshops investigating eight major pest groups - Ants, Bed bugs, Blood-Sucking Arthropods, Cockroaches, Occasional Invaders, Pest Flies, Rodents, and Termites.
At the completion of each pest group workshop, participants will receive a certificate designating them as a VPMA Master for the pest group they have completed. Once a technician has mastered four of the eight pest groups, they become a Master Technician. While 4 pest groups will earn an individual the Master Technician designation, most knowledge-seeking Master Technicians complete all 8 pest workshops to gain superior knowledge and control of just about any pest they may encounter in the field.
Earning a Master Technician designation sets a PMP apart from your standard technician. When mastering a pest group, a technician delves deep in to understanding the biology, behavior, and characteristics of each pest. For most of the pest groups in the program technicians learn to use a microscope and taxonomic key to learn how to accurately identify a specific pest. Proper ID can make a major difference to the treatment methodology and formulation selection to achieve the best control of certain pests. Once the biology and ID has been mastered, the rest of the course focuses on exploring all viable control methods, formulations, and tools available for the management of each pest group.
Recertification credits are applied for in the appropriate category for the pest species being taught.
Upcoming events are listed below, if they are scheduled.
Member rate: Non-member rate:
September 2025
Tue
23
2025
September 23, 2025
VPMA Master Technician Series: Rodents
September 23rd - Hampton Roads AREC
1444 Diamond Springs Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Get one step closer to becoming a VPMA Master Technician by attending the Rodents Workshop, led by experts Dr. Dini Miller and Dr. Morgan Wilson. This one-day, hands-on training combines classroom instruction with field experience, covering rodent identification, biology, and control strategies. Learn about rodenticide modes of action, proper use, trapping, baiting, and exclusion techniques. A guided tour of a rodent infestation offers real-world insight into control challenges. Participants will earn credit toward the Master Technician designation and recertification credits (applied for) in categories 7A and 60 in VA, DC, MD, NC, and WV. The timing of this workshop, daytime or evening, will be determined once our rodent infestation site has been secured.
Click "View Event Details" to learn about the VPMA Master Technician Program, or click "Register Now" below to reserve your seat as space is limited.
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Wed
24
2025
September 24, 2025
8:00AM - 5:15PM
VPMA Master Technician Series: Pest Flies
September 24th - Hampton Roads AREC
1444 Diamond Springs Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Join the Pest Flies Workshop, led by experts Dr. Dini Miller and Dr. Jason Myers, for a deep dive into fly identification, biology, and behavior. This one-day training blends classroom learning with hands-on demonstrations to explore effective control strategies for small flies and filth flies. Participants will also receive regulatory updates from VDACS and test their knowledge with a fun Kahoot! review session. This workshop counts toward the VPMA Master Technician designation and recertification credits (applied for) in categories 7A and 60 in VA, DC, MD, NC, and WV.
Click "View Event Details" to learn about the VPMA Master Technician Program, or click "Register Now" below to reserve your seat as space is limited.
Details >