A private applicator certificate shall be issued for a period of three years except that the initial term of a private applicator certificate shall expire as follows:

(a) Certificates issued to private applicators on or after January 1, 1997, with surnames beginning with A to H, inclusive, shall expire on December 31 of each third year following December 31, 1997.

(b) Certificates issued to private applicators on or after January 1, 1997, with surnames beginning with I to Q, inclusive, shall expire on December 31 of each third year following December 31, 1998.

(c) Certificates issued to private applicators on or after January 1, 1997, with surnames beginning with R to Z, inclusive, shall expire on December 31 of each third year following December 31, 1999.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 705, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1996. Section operative January 1, 1997, pursuant to Section 14099.5.)