In addition to the definitions set out in the Texas Structural Pest Control Act, Chapter 1951, Texas Occupations Code, the following words, names, and terms shall have the below meanings for this subchapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  (1) Adjacent--An area having a common wall, ceiling, or floor.
  (2) Apprentice registration--A registration by a commercial or noncommercial business entity of an individual who is training and/or performing structural pest control services for the business.
  (3) Area of common access--An area that an individual is likely to be present in or at on a regular basis, such as a building entranceway, mailboxes, laundry rooms, beverage machines, building bulletin boards, hallways, etc.
  (4) Calendar year--January 1 to December 31.
  (5) Category--A type of structural pest control that an individual licensee or business licensee is authorized to perform.
  (6) CEU--Continuing education unit.
  (7) Chairman--An individual elected by members of the Structural Pest Control Advisory Committee to preside over meetings.
  (8) Committee--The Structural Pest Control Advisory Committee. An eleven-member committee appointed by the Commissioner, whose responsibility is to gather information and advise the Commissioner and the department on the business of structural pest control.
  (9) Course provider--The person, company, or organization that compiles, organizes, writes and/or produces category specific training or continuing education courses.
  (10) Effective Date--Beginning date an employee (e.g. Apprentice) is registered to a business licensee.
  (11) Inactive license--A license for which certification requirements have been maintained, but technicians and certified applicators are prohibited from legally engaging in structural pest control services, advertising, or solicitation.
  (12) Infest--To exist in, on, around or invade a structure in a manner that may limit the use or enjoyment of, or cause harm or damage to: households, railroad cars, ships, docks, trucks, airplanes, or other structures, or its contents, or its inhabitants, including any humans or pets; and pests, unwanted plants, or diseases of trees, shrubs, or other plantings in a park or adjacent to a residence, business establishment, industrial plant, institutional building, or street.
  (13) Integrated Pest Management (IPM)--A pest management strategy that relies on multiple pest control tactics, including the judicious use of pesticides, informed by accurate identification and scientific knowledge of pests, reliable monitoring methods to assess pest presence, preventative measures to avoid pest infestations, and thresholds to determine when corrective control measures are needed.
  (14) Other noncommercial entity--Any workplace with three (3) or more full-time employees.
  (15) Physically present--Face-to-face contact at a work location where supervisor and supervisee are physically in the same space. Face-to-face does not include video or audio calls using electronic devices.
  (16) Self-study course--A self-study, online or electronic course taken for the purpose of continuing education or training.
  (17) SPCA--Texas Structural Pest Control Act, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1951.
  (18) TPCL--Texas Pest Control License.
  (19) Vice-Chairman--An individual elected by members of the Structural Pest Control Advisory Committee to preside over meetings in the absence of the Chairman.
  (20) WDIR--Texas Official Wood Destroying Insect Report.
  (21) Wood Destroying Insect (WDI)--insects that consume wood for food or use wood to propagate offspring. Examples of wood destroying insects include termites, wood-boring beetles, and carpenter bees.
  (22) Workplace--Any non-residence structure with three (3) or more full-time paid employees that is treated by a licensed business or a certified noncommercial applicator.

Source Note: The provisions of this §7.114 adopted to be effective January 9, 2018, 43 TexReg 42; amended to be effective January 16, 2023, 48 TexReg 129