Class Code 5650
Termite Control Work
Class Code 5650 applies to California businesses that perform termite control and related structural pest treatments. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate is $8.568 per $100 of payroll, which matters because it is the baseline used to calculate workers' compensation costs for employees who do hands-on termite control.
What Class Code 5650 Covers
This classification covers on-site termite control operations including soil treatments, spot treatments, baiting systems, localized liquid or foam injections, structural fumigation (tenting) and heat treatments, and the mixing/loading of termiticides. It includes employees who enter crawl spaces, basements, attics and other confined areas to inspect for infestation and apply treatments, as well as technicians who perform exterior trenching or soil application around foundations and those who set and monitor bait stations. Routine office staff who only schedule or bill without field exposure are not the primary exposure under 5650, but inspectors and applicators doing field work are. The class also covers the physical tasks inherent to termite work such as ladder access, crawling, lifting equipment, and handling concentrated pesticides and fumigants.
Who It Applies To
- Licensed structural pest control companies and their field technicians
- Termite inspection and application crews who enter crawl spaces or attics
- Fumigation/structural tenting teams and tenting crew members
- Independent termite applicators and bait system installers
- Companies that perform soil injections, foaming, or trenching around foundations
Common Job Duties
- Inspecting homes and commercial structures for termite activity in crawl spaces, attics and basements
- Mixing, loading and applying termiticides (liquid, foam) and placing bait stations
- Setting up and monitoring tent fumigations or supervising heat treatments
- Entering confined spaces to treat or remove infested wood and installing barriers
- Using ladders and lift equipment for exterior treatments and accessing rooflines
- Recording pesticide use, posting treated structures and providing reentry instructions
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $8.568 Rate
The pure premium rate of $8.568 per $100 of payroll is the amount insurers use to estimate expected claim costs before overhead and profit are added. To calculate pure premium: divide total payroll for 5650-classified employees by 100, then multiply by 8.568. Final premium includes insurer expense loads, policy adjustments, experience modification (X-mod), credits/discounts, audits and any classification splits.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Termite control employers must comply with Cal/OSHA worker safety rules including respiratory protection (e.g., 8 CCR 5144), hazard communication and chemical labeling requirements (e.g., 5194), and the Heat Illness Prevention standard for outdoor work (e.g., 3395). Pesticide application and structural fumigation are also regulated by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the Structural Pest Control Board; employers must ensure licensed applicators, proper posting and reentry intervals, and written safety procedures for confined spaces and tenting operations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5650
A PEO like Key HR can centralize payroll and classification management to reduce misclassification, provide industry-specific safety training (licensed applicator oversight, respirator fit testing, confined-space entry training) and maintain records required by Cal/OSHA and DPR. Key HR also manages workers' comp claims, return-to-work programs, and safety consulting to lower lost-time claims and improve your experience modification factor, which can materially reduce the premium you pay above the pure premium.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Do termite inspectors who only document conditions belong in Class Code 5650?
If inspectors enter crawl spaces, attics or otherwise perform on-site inspections that expose them to the same hazards and they perform treatments or handle pesticides, they fall under 5650. Office-only personnel who do not enter structures or handle pesticides should be classified differently.
Are fumigation and tenting included in Class Code 5650?
Yes. Structural fumigation (tenting) and related crew activities are included under termite control operations. Because fumigation involves higher hazard and regulatory requirements, insurers will scrutinize licensing, training, ventilations plans and reentry procedures.
What practical steps lower workers' comp costs for a termite company?
Maintain licensed applicators, document pesticide training and respirator fit testing, implement a formal confined-space and ladder safety program, use PPE consistently, run a return-to-work program, and partner with a PEO or broker to ensure correct classification and proactive claims management to improve your experience modification.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5650
- Classification
- Termite Control Work
- Pure Premium Rate
- $8.568 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
Key HR provides pay-as-you-go workers' comp for California employers — no large deposits, no audits, better rates.
Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 5650?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.