Programs

VPMA Virginia Tech Scholarship

VPMA offers renewable scholarship awards in the spring and fall semesters to undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech whose studies are focused in the field of structural pest management. This scholarship is intended to recognize those superior students whose research and extension activities have benefited (or will benefit) the pest management industry. The objective of the scholarship is to encourage these students to prepare for careers in urban pest management.

Eligibility:

1. Applicant must be enrolled at Virginia Tech at the time of the awarding of the scholarship. High school seniors may apply however, they may not receive the award unless they are enrolled at Virginia Tech at the time of the awarding of the scholarship.
2. Applicant must be a full-time student.
3. Applicant should be enrolled in a program that stresses the technical aspects of structural pest control.

Click here to learn about the application process, provisions and to obtain an application for the Spring 2022 VPMA Virginia Tech Scholarship.

VPMA Statewide Scholarship

The VPMA offers renewable scholarship awards in the spring and fall semesters to undergraduate and graduate students whose studies are focused in the field of structural pest management. This scholarship is intended to recognize those superior students whose research and extension activities have benefited (or will benefit) the pest management industry. The objective of the scholarship is to encourage these students to prepare for careers in urban pest management.

Eligibility:

1. Applicant must be enrolled at Virginia Tech at the time of the awarding of the scholarship. High school seniors may apply however, they may not receive the award unless they are enrolled at Virginia Tech at the time of the awarding of the scholarship.
2. Applicant must be a full-time student.
3. Applicant should be enrolled in a program that stresses the technical aspects of structural pest control.

Application Process:

1. Complete and submit an application form.
2. Submit a current curriculum vita or resume.
3. Submit a one-page, double-spaced essay describing how your studies, research and work will contribute to the structural pest management industry in Virginia.
4. Submit two letters of recommendation from faculty advisors and/or industry employers. The letters should address the applicant’s work ethic and progress in course work and research. The applicant’s participation in industry training programs and conferences should be included. Letters should also describe which aspects of structural pest management the applicant’s work emphasizes.

Click here to learn about the application process, provisions and to obtain an application for the Spring 2022 VPMA Statewide Scholarship.

Master Technician Program Overview

This program provides technicians with in-depth, hands-on training using state-of-the art microscopes. The series of six workshops investigate seven major pest groups - Ants, Bed bugs, Termites, Occasional Invaders, Cockroaches, Rodents and Flies.

At the completion of each workshop, participants will receive a certificate designating them as a VPMA Master Ant, Bed bug, Termite, Occasional Invader, Cockroach, Fly or Rodent Technician, respectively. Once a technician has mastered four of the pest groups, special recognition will be made at the final workshop designating them as a Master Technician.

For current offerings please see the Events tab on the home page of our website.

This program prepares pest professionals to perform consistent, thorough inspections that their customers can truly rely on.

• Each VPMA Certified Inspector is classroom trained, then tested to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and ability to conduct accurate termite reports.
• Each Certified Inspector must be employed by a company holding a pesticide business license, which ensures that the inspector is backed by a company holding liability insurance.
• Each Certified Inspector must also have a minimum certification by the Virginia Department of Agriculture (VDACS) that certifies their knowledge in general pests.

There is a self-study portion of this program so register early to provide time to receive study materials well in advance of the course.

For current offerings please see the Events tab on the home page of our website.

If your VPMA Certified WDI Inspector status expires this year you must complete the VPMA WDI Inspector Recertification Online program, or attend an in-person VPMA Certified WDI Inspector Workshop by June 30th of the year your certification expires. If your certification has already expired, you can renew it by completing the Online program or by taking an in-person VPMA Certified WDI Inspector Workshop but you must pass the exam (online or in person). If you have a number of employees that need to take the online course, you can purchase pre-paid vouchers by clicking here and selecting “purchase courses / exams.” Further instruction is provided below.

To access the online VPMA Certified WDI Inspector Recertification Workshop follow these steps:

1. Each person taking the online WDI Recertification course needs to create an NPMA user account in order to access the Online Learning Center. If you already have an NPMA user account, click here to login.

• To create a new NPMA user account, click here.
• Enter your email address and click “Login or Create New Profile.”
• Complete the “Additional Information” and “New User Registration” forms with the technician's information.
• Each technician seeking to register for the online class needs their own account with a unique email address.

2. Once your account has been created, or you have logged into your existing account, you will be taken to NPMA’s Online Learning Center purchase page to buy courses or course vouchers.

• To purchase a course for yourself: click “Select Course” under Redeem Voucher or Purchase Courses. 
  • Locate the “VPMA WDI Inspector RECERTIFICATION” course and click “add” to move the course to your cart. Click “Continue” to proceed to the payment screen.
  • Complete the required billing information, and click “Continue” to finalize your transaction.
  • Click “Go to NPMA Online Learning Center” on the purchase confirmation page to access the course. A confirmation email that contains a link to the online learning center will also be sent to the email address provided during registration.
• To purchase course vouchers: click “Select Vouchers” under Purchase Voucher for Others to Use. 
  • Locate the “VPMA WDI Inspector RECERTIFICATION” course and click “add”, and enter the number of vouchers you want to purchase. Click “Continue” to proceed to the payment screen.
  • Complete the required billing information, and click “Continue” to finalize your transaction.
  • Your purchased voucher codes will be displayed on the purchase confirmation page. A confirmation email that contains your voucher codes will also be sent to the email address provided during registration.
• To use a course voucher, login or create an account by clicking here and click “Select Courses” located under Redeem Voucher or Purchase Courses.
  • Copy/paste the voucher code into the text field under Redeem Voucher.
  • Click “Continue” to finalize your transaction and be taken to the confirmation page.
  • Click “Go to NPMA Online Learning Center” on the purchase confirmation page to access the course. You will also receive a confirmation email that contains a link to the online learning center will also be sent to the email address provided during registration.
• If you are unable to purchase the course with a credit card please call VPMA at 877-875-8722 to arrange for an alternate form of payment.

4. Once you have accessed the course in NPMA’s Online Learning Center, please read the welcome message before beginning the course. 
   
   5. To begin the course, click on “Course Content.”

• Click “WDI Recertification Training Lessons”
• Work your way through all five modules. To begin a module, click the link below the yellow instruction box.
• Module 5 - Print the VDACS Update found in Module 5.1 before continuing onto Module 5.2. VPMA will automatically submit recertification requests on your behalf to VDACS for 7-B and category 60 after you complete this program.
• Complete the exam (you are not required to pass the exam, results are used for evaluation purposes only). 
• After the course is completed, a "certificate of completion" will be automatically generated that you should print and keep for your records. VPMA will also be notified that you have completed the course, and after verification that your VDACS license is current, we will mail your new WDI Inspector card within 30 days. If you don't receive your new card within 30 days, please call us at 877/875-8722 and be prepared to provide us with a copy of your "certificate of completion."

Troubleshooting: If you encounter any issues with accessing or completing the course, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 703-352-6762.

For current offerings please see the Events tab on the home page of our website.

Being ACE certified can give you and your company the edge it needs to compete successfully with other pest control providers. Many public and private institutions require independent certification for their pest control contractors, and increasingly the general public is seeking expert providers for every service.

The Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) program is offered to those with training and professional field experience in structural pest management. It's rapidly becoming the industry-standard for pest management professionals, growing at an average of 35% a year since the program's introduction.

The VPMA State Technical Meeting 2022 will be held on December 7th and 8th at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Richmond, VA. The STM Features:

• Busines Management
• Admin Track
• Technician Training & Recertification Credits
• Exhibit Hall
• VPMA Annual Business Meeting
• PestFest & Casino Night

Two preconference events will be hosted on December 6th.

1. Preconference Workshop: Your Team's Success - if you own or manage a pest control business and are havin staffing challenges, Phil Cooper will share how to overcome those challenges, while building the strongest team possible!

2. Preconference Social: President's Reception at Hardywood Brewery - details coming about this fun event!

Details and registration will be available on our events page starting Monday, October 24th!