A survey of licensed pest control advisors (PCAs) in two key agricultural counties in California was undertaken to better understand current practices of PCAs and their implications on pesticide worker health and safety. PCAs advise farmers on pest control, and make legally required recommendations before restricted use pesticides can be applied on farms. A mail questionnaire was developed to ascertain current client needs, business practices, concerns, and potential impacts of the 1991 ban on parathion by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Of 388 eligible, 114 (35%) returned completed questionnaires. Of respondents' regular clients, nearly half were using or experimenting with biologic sprays, cultural practices to encourage national predation, or using spot treatments, although clients of PCAs working as a distributor or representative for a pesticide company were less likely to do so than those of independent consultants. PCAs (82%) ranked effectiveness of pest control and worker health and safety as the top concerns when selecting pest control materials, and cost last. A majority ranked as extremely important market pressure for cosmetically perfect produce and lack of non-chemical pest control methods as barriers to growers' reducing their pesticide use. In response to the parathion ban, most PCAs planned to substitute either similar Class I toxicity insecticides or less toxic organophosphates or carbamates. This survey indicates that increased penetration of integrated pest management is possible, and that reduced pesticide use may also be achieved by relaxing of cosmetic standards and increasing research into nonchemical pest control methods.