The wildlife control industry supported development of the regional curriculum. Other states (Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia) are currently reviewing the text and considering use of course. With anticipated changes in state regulations, other states will soon require licensing of WCOs, similar to New York and Connecticut.
impact statement issue
New York state passed a new law mandating completion of a certification course prior to licensing of a private wildlife control operator (WCO). I designed and developed the WCO curriculum for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Other eastern states lacked such a course, so I adapted the content for regional application and distribution.
impact statement response
The regional book was published so that other states could adopt the WCO curriculum and there would be consistent license requirements among eastern states. Homeowners with wildlife problems know that WCOs have met core training requirements to be licensed. State wildlife agencies have the option to adopt the curriculum as a core training course.
impact statement summary
A regional certification course was developed for the private nuisance wildlife control industry. The course was published in text book format and is distributed by Thomson-Delmar Learning, Inc. State wildlife agencies can use the curriculum to meet licensing requirements for wildlife control operators.
