This ought to be of great interest to some. There was some posting about it in a couple of recent threads.  I emailed them, specifically asking about shipping fig tree cuttings from Arkansas into California and this is the reply.

Hi Charles,

Thank you for your inquiry about shipping Fig tree cutting into California. I would like to inform you that shipping Fig Tree cuttings from the state of Arkansas would not be admissible into California, would need to be accompanied with proper certification. Due to California state exterior quarantine No. 3271 (Burrowing and Reniform Nematodes) all plants are prohibited entry unless each shipment or lot is accompanied by a certificate issued by the authorized agricultural official of the state of Florida.                

A quarantine is established against the following pests, their hosts and possible carriers:  A. Pests. Burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis) and reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis), parasites of the roots of citrus and many other plants.  B. Area Under Quarantine. The States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. See Appendix A below for supplementary information. C. Articles and Commodities Covered. The following articles and commodities are restricted entry into California when arriving from the area under quarantine.                                                    

1. All earth (including sand and soil) and potting media.                                                                                                                                                                              

2. All plants and plant parts with roots (including aerial roots).                                                                                                                                                                        

3. All parts of plants produced below the ground or soil level.                                                                                                                                                                             

4. All plant cuttings for propagation.

To inquire more information on how to this certification (And for questions or concerns of plant material in question)- you can contact the Florida Dept. of Agriculture at (352-395-4628).

SEE Attachment for complete California State Exterior No. 3271 (Burrowing and Reniform Nematodes) Quarantine!

Please note, that all plants (plant material) is subject to inspection upon entering into California at the point of entry (receiving point), and must be free of surface pests and appear healthy with no visible signs of disease, If there is any presence of pests or disease then the Agricultural Inspector may reject and or confiscate such plant material at that time.

Also Notice of proper interstate marking when shipping plant material (Fig tree cutting for propagation), due to California Food and Agricultural section No. 6421 (Interstate Markings), parcels being shipped to California- Each shipment of plant material  shall have legibly marked upon it in a conspicuous manner and place all of the following.

A)     The name and address of shipper, B) The name of the person to whom the shipment is forwarded (being shipped to). C) The name of the city country and state where the contents were grown. D) A statement of its contents.

You may also visit the following CDFA website below for complete Quarantine regulations regarding bringing Plant material into California.

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/transport_animals_plants.html   

Thank you for your efforts in protecting California's Agriculture and environment.

Louis Vasquez

Plant Quarantine Inspector

Border Protection Station Program

Pest Exclusion

California Dept. of Food and Agriculture

louis.vasquez@cdfa.ca.gov

916-403-6657

I was uncomfortable enough about the possibility and so figured best to get it from the source of authority.  This pretty much settles it for me.  As planned, I will continue on this path and pursue the certification.  May take some time but I like a challenge. :)  

Thanks for confirming, Charlie. I'm the same way with things. Better to be safe than sorry! Maybe I needto move frim Cali now? :-/

The CDFA rep you spoke to was mis-interpreting the guidelines.  There are very clear exemptions to the Burrowing Nematode Exclusion Order.  You can read the whole thing here. 

http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/htm/315.htm

The exemptions is as follows:

c. The shipment consists of only unrooted plant cuttings, provided that the cuttings were taken from that portion of the plant which is growing at least 12 inches above ground level and were protected from contamination until shipped.