VHA Directive 1850.02 — Pest Management Operations Program

Citation

Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. VHA Directive 1850.02, Pest Management Operations Program. Transmittal sheet dated December 22, 2022; effective upon publication; distributed to the VHA Publications Distribution List on December 23, 2022. Ten numbered pages plus transmittal sheet and contents. Authority: 38 U.S.C. § 7301(b). Policy owner: the Office of the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Support (19); questions to the Director, Environmental Programs Service. The directive rescinds VHA Directive 1850.02(1), Pest Management Operations, dated April 6, 2017.

Currency and Recertification

The transmittal sheet states, verbatim:

5. RECERTIFICATION: This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directive is scheduled for recertification on or before the last working day of December 2027. This VHA directive will continue to serve as national VHA policy until it is recertified or rescinded.

Two consequences. The directive does not expire in December 2027; it remains national VHA policy until VHA recertifies or rescinds it. And the recertification window is the date a reader should re-check this page against va.gov, because a recertified directive may carry amended text under the same number.

This page was verified against the reference’s archived copy of the directive (156,036 bytes, as published by VA) on September 11, 2026, and every quotation on it was re-verified independently on September 12, 2026 against a fresh extraction of the same archived PDF, byte-for-byte the size VA published. All passages matched. A live re-check of va.gov was not possible from either build — outbound HTTPS is refused by proxy policy in this environment — so no amendment, recertification, or rescission notice later than December 22, 2022 is known to this reference. The recertification window below is the date to re-check.

Correction to this page’s earlier text. Until September 11, 2026 this page quoted five passages attributed to “Section 2” and “Sections 3.a–3.e” of the directive, including a “Pesticide Manager Officer,” a “minimum of three years” record-retention rule, and a policy statement about protecting “Veterans, employees, and visitors from pests and pesticide exposure.” None of those passages appears in the directive. The role is the Pest Management Officer; records are governed by the VHA Records Control Schedule, not a stated three-year period; and the supersession history was also wrong (the directive rescinds VHA Directive 1850.02(1) of April 6, 2017, not a 2010 Directive 7715). Every quotation below is transcribed from the directive itself.

What It Says (Verbatim, Key Provisions)

Policy (paragraph 1):

It is Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policy that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities effectively implement a pest management program that follows Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and promotes safe, efficient and environmentally preferred strategies, thereby preventing or controlling disease vectors and other pests that may adversely affect health, impede operations or damage property. AUTHORITY: 38 U.S.C. § 7301(b).

The facility Director’s responsibilities (paragraph 2.g), in part:

(2) Ensuring that the VA medical facility maintains an effective IPM program in order to protect the safety and health of Veterans, visitors and employees including Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), Outpatient Centers and Health Care Centers (i.e., where pest management is not covered by VA medical facility leases).

(3) Ensuring that adequate resources are available to effectively implement an IPM program and IPMOP.

(4) Designating in writing a VA medical facility PMO to oversee all aspects of the IPMOP, including in-house and contract operations. NOTE: The VA medical facility PMO is the chief of the service under which the VA medical facility IPM program falls.

The Pest Management Officer (paragraph 2.h), in part. The directive’s note defines the role: “The VA medical facility PMO is appointed by the VA medical facility Director and is the chief of the service under which the VA medical facility IPM program falls (e.g., Environmental Management Service (EMS), Facility Management, Engineering).” Among the PMO’s fifteen enumerated responsibilities:

(2) Ensuring the IPMOP is reviewed annually and governs all pest management activities.

(3) Ensuring that pest management issues such as pest sightings are addressed within 48 hours, and that corrective action is provided to the reporting VA medical facility employee and documented in the IPMOP pest management log.

(6) If the IPMOP uses contract services, providing oversight of the pest management contract and scope.

(7) Ensuring that VA medical facility PMPs are trained and certified in Public Health Pest Control and the other categories of pesticide applications that apply to their area of responsibilities as required by Federal (e.g., EPA, OSHA), State and local regulations.

(10) Reviewing all pest management activity documentation and records at least quarterly and tracking trends to ensure content accuracy, appropriate follow up and resolution of pest management issues. This includes pest management activities outside the VA medical facility PMO’s service (e.g., EMS, Facility Management, Engineering). This documentation and recordkeeping is provided by either the VA medical facility PMP or contracted pest management vendor.

(11) Providing prior approval on the application of all pesticides by VA medical facility PMPs or contractors in any patient care or restricted areas (i.e., Operating Rooms (ORs), Sterile Processing Services (SPS)) to ensure that local procedures are being followed.

(13) Ensuring VA medical facility PMPs receive proper medical surveillance upon employment and annually thereafter.

The Pest Management Professional (paragraph 2.i), in part. The directive’s note defines the PMP as “an individual who is licensed in one or more specialization categories established by the Federal (e.g., EPA, OSHA), State and local governments in which the VA medical facility PMP engages in the trade of pest control.” Among the PMP’s responsibilities:

(6) Reducing the potential for pesticide resistance by rotating pesticides, which involves alternating among pesticide classes with different modes of action to delay the onset of or mitigate existing pest resistance. NOTE: It is strongly recommended that non-chemical methods, such as sanitation or elimination of breeding areas, be explored prior to the consideration of chemical applications in accordance with IPM strategies.

(7) Applying and handling restrictive-use pesticides. NOTE: VA medical facility PMPs are the only individuals permitted to handle and apply restrictive-use pesticides, unless an employee is applying the restrictive-use pesticide under the direct supervision of the VA medical facility PMP.

(10) Providing pest management documentation and records to the VA medical facility PMO for review at least once every 6 months to ensure content accuracy, appropriate follow up and resolution of pest management issues.

Pest management contract (paragraph 3), complete:

The scope of work for IPM contract services must include but is not limited to:

a. Ensuring 24/7 coverage of the VA medical facility’s pest management activities including CBOCs, Outpatient Centers and Health Care Centers (i.e., where pest management is not covered by VA medical facility leases).

b. Ensuring that the contract statement of work discloses the VHA ban on the use of the selective herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D).

c. Ensuring that contractor applicators are certified and properly licensed PMPs.

d. Maintaining required recordkeeping, including but not limited to inspection reports, pest sightings, pesticide application and follow-up activities.

e. Properly handling pesticides and not disposing of them on VA property.

f. Providing safety data sheets (SDS) on pesticides used at the VA medical facility.

g. Providing proof of insurance for any contractor conducting pest control services.

h. Ensuring that the VA medical facility PMO provides prior approval of all applications of pesticides in patient care and restricted areas (i.e., OR and SPS) to ensure all local procedures are followed.

Integrated Pest Management Operations Plan (paragraph 4), in part:

a. The IPMOP must be one document and must conform to applicable Federal (e.g., EPA, OSHA), State and local regulatory requirements.

b. An IPMOP is required at all VA medical facilities, regardless of whether the VA medical facility is serviced by a VA medical facility PMP, a pest management contract or both. The IPMOP must comprehensively describe the VA medical facility’s pest problems and actions required to provide an economical and effective control of such pests. NOTE: The IPMOP must be reviewed annually by the VA medical facility PMO.

c. The IPMOP governs all pest management activities and must address the following:

(1) Inspection frequency. (2) Pest identification. (3) Prevention measures. (4) Selection of chemical and non-chemical options. (5) Procedures for reporting pest sighting and follow-up activities. (6) Staff and patient education. (7) Bed bug management. […] (8) Safe use, storage and management of pesticides, including: (a) Ensuring that VA medical facility PMPs are provided appropriate PPE (consult pesticide label, SDS) and seek professional guidance from the safety office to determine appropriate PPE. (b) Ensuring that SDSs are readily available for all pesticides used at the VA medical facility. (c) Ensuring that all equipment used in pest control activities is marked “Contaminated with Pesticides.” (d) Ensuring that there is a current inventory of pesticides stored at the VA medical facility. (e) Ensuring that the pesticide storage area is properly labeled on the entrance door, ventilated, provided adequate lighting and equipped with a spill kit. (9) Recordkeeping. (10) The ban on 2,4-D throughout VHA due to a perception by Veterans regarding the relationship between 2,4-D, Dioxin and Agent Orange. (11) The prohibition against feeding wildlife on VHA property. […] (12) Training requirements for individuals to safely and appropriately use general use pesticides.

Training (paragraph 5), in part:

a. VA medical facility PMOs must either hold a valid and current Pest Management Professional/Applicator license or must complete the Talent Management System (TMS) Curriculum titled, “Pest Management Officer Training for Non-Licensed Pest Management Professionals” (VHA-198) upon assignment and every 2 years thereafter. […]

b. VA medical facility PMPs must be trained and certified in Public Health Pest Control and the other categories of pesticide applications that apply to their area of responsibilities in accordance with Federal (e.g., EPA, OSHA), State and local regulations.

c. Any individual that applies general use pesticides must have documented general awareness training as outlined in each VA medical facility’s IPMOP.

Records management (paragraph 6), complete:

All records regardless of format (e.g., paper, electronic, electronic systems) created by this directive must be managed as required by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) approved records schedules found in VHA Records Control Schedule 10-1. Questions regarding any aspect of records management should be addressed to the appropriate Records Officer.

Definitions (paragraph 7), two of ten:

d. Integrated Pest Management. IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests by cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical controls. Control mechanisms are selected in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. Where chemical control is indicated, specific pest populations are targeted for treatment when they are most vulnerable rather than a general application. Through the use of appropriate control measures and proper application, an implemented IPM program can result in a reduction in the use of pesticides that may adversely impact human health and the environment.

f. Pest. A pest is any insect, rodent, nematode, fungus or weed that can cause damage to humans, agriculture or other animals.

The IPMOP template and the EPS Bed Bug Management Guide the directive references are on internal VA websites; the directive itself notes at each reference that “This is an internal VA website that is not available to the public.”

What It Means in Plain Language

VHA Directive 1850.02 is the pest management standard for the Veterans Health Administration’s medical facilities, including their community-based outpatient clinics, outpatient centers, and health care centers where the lease does not cover pest management. It is the most prescriptive federal pest management standard for healthcare in the United States. What distinguishes it from the civilian federal side, where the hospital Condition of Participation has no pest language at all:

1. The program is mandatory and written. Every VA medical facility must have an IPMOP, “one document,” reviewed annually, whether pest management is in-house, contracted, or both, and it must address twelve enumerated subjects.
2. A named officer is accountable. The Director designates a Pest Management Officer in writing; the PMO is the chief of the service the program falls under, not a designee.
3. Response and review are timed. Sightings are addressed within 48 hours and logged, with corrective action reported back to the employee who reported them; the PMO reviews all records at least quarterly and tracks trends; the PMP (or vendor) provides records for review at least every six months.
4. Prior approval before application in patient care and restricted areas. The PMO must approve any pesticide application in patient care or restricted areas, operating rooms and sterile processing named. No civilian healthcare standard requires this level of pre-application control.
5. Applicator credentials are specified. PMPs must be trained and certified in Public Health Pest Control and the other applicable categories; restricted-use pesticides may be handled only by PMPs or under their direct supervision.
6. Storage and hazard communication are specified. Current inventory, SDS availability, a labeled, ventilated, lit storage area with a spill kit, and equipment marked “Contaminated with Pesticides.”
7. Two VHA-specific bans. The herbicide 2,4-D is banned throughout VHA, and feeding wildlife on VHA property is prohibited.

The directive does not itself set a records retention period; retention follows the VHA Records Control Schedule 10-1, which is referenced, not reproduced.

Who It Applies To

The directive applies to VA medical facilities and, through the Director’s and the contract’s obligations, to the CBOCs, Outpatient Centers, and Health Care Centers those facilities operate “where pest management is not covered by VA medical facility leases.” It binds contracted pest management providers through the contract scope in paragraph 3. The oversight chain runs from the Under Secretary for Health through the Assistant Under Secretaries for Health for Support and for Operations, the Executive Director of Healthcare Environment and Facilities Programs, the Director of the Environmental Programs Service, and the Veterans Integrated Service Network Directors to the facility Director.

The directive does not bind civilian (non-VA) healthcare facilities. Civilian risk management, accreditation readiness, and pest management providers reference it as a federal benchmark for what an institutionalized healthcare IPM program contains.

Documentation Evidence Required

For a VA facility, the records the directive itself creates or requires:

• The written IPMOP, one document, addressing the twelve subjects in paragraph 4.c, with evidence of annual review by the PMO
• The Director’s written designation of the PMO
• The IPMOP pest management log showing sightings, the 48-hour response, and the corrective action reported back
• The PMO’s quarterly review of all pest management documentation and trend tracking
• The PMO’s prior approvals for applications in patient care and restricted areas
• PMP licensure and certification in Public Health Pest Control and other applicable categories; contractor licensure, insurance, and SDSs under the contract scope
• PMO training: a current applicator license or completion of the TMS curriculum VHA-198 on assignment and every two years
• Documented general awareness training for anyone applying general-use pesticides
• Current pesticide inventory, SDS access, and the storage area’s labeling, ventilation, lighting, and spill kit
• PMP medical surveillance on employment and annually
• Records managed under VHA Records Control Schedule 10-1

How It Is Reviewed

Compliance is reviewed within VHA. The directive assigns the Executive Director, Healthcare Environment and Facilities Programs, responsibility for “Overseeing the VHA pest management program” and “Periodically assessing the VHA pest management program and system for continued need, currency and effectiveness,” the Environmental Programs Service responsibility for technical support and for “Addressing issue briefs related to pest infestations and issues, as necessary,” and VISN Directors responsibility for “Ensuring that all VA medical facilities within the VISN comply with this directive.” The directive does not describe an external survey process.

If a Surveyor Has Cited Pest Activity

VA facilities are reviewed internally under this directive rather than by CMS tag. Where a VA facility is also surveyed by The Joint Commission, or where a reader is comparing the directive to the civilian standards, the same observation is written to the identifiers covered in this reference’s survey deficiencies section: A-0701 and A-0750 for hospitals under CMS, F925 for nursing homes (the VA’s community living centers are the VA equivalent), §485.725(e) for outpatient rehabilitation providers, and PE.01.01.01 under The Joint Commission. For a facility that does not know which identifier applies, see Which tag is pest control?. The directive’s sighting log, 48-hour response, quarterly review, and prior-approval records are, in practice, the documentation those citations ask for.

Confidence Notes

HIGH confidence. Every quotation on this page was transcribed on September 11, 2026 from the reference’s archived copy of the directive as published by VA (VHA Directive 1850.02, December 22, 2022, 156,036 bytes), including the transmittal sheet’s rescission and recertification paragraphs. The earlier version of this page contained quotations that do not appear in the directive; they were removed and are recorded above. The va.gov publication page could not be re-fetched from this build; the source URL is the one from which the archived copy was downloaded on September 10, 2026.

Related Killed Claims

• “The directive requires pesticide application records to be kept for three years.” Disconfirmed. The directive contains no retention period; paragraph 6 assigns records management to the NARA-approved schedules in VHA Records Control Schedule 10-1. (This claim appeared on this page until September 11, 2026.)
• “The directive supersedes VHA Directive 7715 and VHA Handbook 7715 of September 24, 2010.” Not supported by the directive. Its rescission paragraph names VHA Directive 1850.02(1), Pest Management Operations, dated April 6, 2017. (This claim appeared on this page until September 11, 2026.)
• “The directive names a ‘Pesticide Manager Officer.’” Disconfirmed. The role is the Pest Management Officer (PMO), the chief of the service under which the IPM program falls. (This claim appeared on this page until September 11, 2026.)