PA PESTICIDE APPLICATOR LAWN AND TURF
FINAL PAPER 2026 FULL STUDY GUIDE
◉ Ch.7 List the certification and licensing requirements for
commercial applicators. Answer: -Applicator For Hire: Certification--
Yes; License--Yes
-Applicator Not for Hire (RUPs):
Certification--Yes; License--Yes
-Applicator Not for Hire (Only non-RUP in/on public school
grounds): Certification--Yes; License: No
-Applicator Not for Hire (Only non-RUP): Certification--No; License--
No
-Registered Temporary Trainee (Only allowed non-RUP use & must
be under supervision): Certification--No; License--No
◉ Ch.7 List the kinds of applications for which you must keep
records, and know how long you must keep such records. Answer:
You must keep a record of any application for which both
certification and licensing are required.
*It's good business to keep records for at least 2 years whether
legally required or not.
◉ Ch.7 Describe what is meant by prohibited pesticide, limited-use
pesticide, pesticide governed by a special rule. Answer: -Prohibited:
,contains active ingredients & use has been prohibited due to
hazardous nature/persistence.
-Limited-Use: in WI the purchase, sale, or use of some are limited to
specifically defined uses.
-Special Rule: potentially adverse effect on the environment or
human health, regulated through special rules.
◉ Ch.7 Explain when you may need to get special permits and/or
obtain another certification category to perform certain pesticide
applications. Answer: For some situations there are regulations that
go beyond the need to be certified and you must also obtain a special
permit before buying/using pesticides for these cases.
◉ Ch.8 Describe the difference between the terms "labels" and
"labeling". Answer: -Labels: info printed/attached to the pesticide
container or wrapper.
-Labeling: both the actual label and to all addition product info.
◉ Ch.8 List the 5 times when you should read the relevant parts of a
label. Answer: 1. Before you buy the product, to make sure it's the
best choice for the pest you wish to control and that the product is
labeled for the site where you need to use it.
2. Before you store the product.
3. Before you mix and use the product, to be sure you apply it safely,
effectively, and at the proper rate.
,4. Before you clean the pesticide application equipment.
5. Before you dispose of the product and/or its container.
◉ Ch.8 Outline the kinds of information you can find on a label.
Answer: Restricted-use statement, Trade name, Type of pesticide,
Formulation, Ingredient statement, Net contents, Name & address,
EPA registration & establishment numbers
◉ Ch.8 Explain how products with similar brand names or
ingredients may have different uses. Answer: Companies often use
the same basic name with slight variations for different products.
Different companies may sell products that seem similar but are
registered for different uses. Always check the label for active
ingredients and registered uses.
◉ Ch.8 List the signal words that you may find on a pesticide label
(4). Answer: 1. Danger-Poison (often with skull and cross bones)
2. Danger
3. Warning
4. Caution
◉ Ch.8 Define what a signal word is and how it related to the relative
toxicity of a product. Answer: Definition: identify the toxicity
category to which the product is assigned. There are 4 toxicity
categories indicated by Roman numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 (1=high 4=low)
, ◉ Ch.8 List the 4 ways you may legally deviate from label directions.
Answer: 1. Applying a pesticide at a lower rate, concentration, or
frequency than that specified on the label.
2. Applying a pesticide against any target pest not specified on the
label if the application is to the site specified on the label.
3. Using any method of application not prohibited by the label.
4. Mixing two or more pesticides or mixing a pesticide with a
fertilizer when such mixture is not mentioned by the label.
◉ Ch.8 Explain what to do if state laws are more strict that label
directions. Answer: Label directions must be consistent with federal
laws. However each state may pass pesticide laws that are more
strict that (or in addition to) federal laws. It's important that you
know Wisconsin's laws that govern pesticide use. Otherwise, you
might violate state law even though you followed label directions.
◉ Ch.8 Explain which directions you should follow when using a
product whose label has changed since you bought it. Answer: -
When to Follow the Old Label: Use the product according to the label
that came with it.
-When Not to Follow the Old Label: A registrant/state/federal
agency may cancel/prohibit a product or a specific use of the
product. Then there may be a phase out date. Anyone who has some
of the product may use it up to the specified date; after that the
FINAL PAPER 2026 FULL STUDY GUIDE
◉ Ch.7 List the certification and licensing requirements for
commercial applicators. Answer: -Applicator For Hire: Certification--
Yes; License--Yes
-Applicator Not for Hire (RUPs):
Certification--Yes; License--Yes
-Applicator Not for Hire (Only non-RUP in/on public school
grounds): Certification--Yes; License: No
-Applicator Not for Hire (Only non-RUP): Certification--No; License--
No
-Registered Temporary Trainee (Only allowed non-RUP use & must
be under supervision): Certification--No; License--No
◉ Ch.7 List the kinds of applications for which you must keep
records, and know how long you must keep such records. Answer:
You must keep a record of any application for which both
certification and licensing are required.
*It's good business to keep records for at least 2 years whether
legally required or not.
◉ Ch.7 Describe what is meant by prohibited pesticide, limited-use
pesticide, pesticide governed by a special rule. Answer: -Prohibited:
,contains active ingredients & use has been prohibited due to
hazardous nature/persistence.
-Limited-Use: in WI the purchase, sale, or use of some are limited to
specifically defined uses.
-Special Rule: potentially adverse effect on the environment or
human health, regulated through special rules.
◉ Ch.7 Explain when you may need to get special permits and/or
obtain another certification category to perform certain pesticide
applications. Answer: For some situations there are regulations that
go beyond the need to be certified and you must also obtain a special
permit before buying/using pesticides for these cases.
◉ Ch.8 Describe the difference between the terms "labels" and
"labeling". Answer: -Labels: info printed/attached to the pesticide
container or wrapper.
-Labeling: both the actual label and to all addition product info.
◉ Ch.8 List the 5 times when you should read the relevant parts of a
label. Answer: 1. Before you buy the product, to make sure it's the
best choice for the pest you wish to control and that the product is
labeled for the site where you need to use it.
2. Before you store the product.
3. Before you mix and use the product, to be sure you apply it safely,
effectively, and at the proper rate.
,4. Before you clean the pesticide application equipment.
5. Before you dispose of the product and/or its container.
◉ Ch.8 Outline the kinds of information you can find on a label.
Answer: Restricted-use statement, Trade name, Type of pesticide,
Formulation, Ingredient statement, Net contents, Name & address,
EPA registration & establishment numbers
◉ Ch.8 Explain how products with similar brand names or
ingredients may have different uses. Answer: Companies often use
the same basic name with slight variations for different products.
Different companies may sell products that seem similar but are
registered for different uses. Always check the label for active
ingredients and registered uses.
◉ Ch.8 List the signal words that you may find on a pesticide label
(4). Answer: 1. Danger-Poison (often with skull and cross bones)
2. Danger
3. Warning
4. Caution
◉ Ch.8 Define what a signal word is and how it related to the relative
toxicity of a product. Answer: Definition: identify the toxicity
category to which the product is assigned. There are 4 toxicity
categories indicated by Roman numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 (1=high 4=low)
, ◉ Ch.8 List the 4 ways you may legally deviate from label directions.
Answer: 1. Applying a pesticide at a lower rate, concentration, or
frequency than that specified on the label.
2. Applying a pesticide against any target pest not specified on the
label if the application is to the site specified on the label.
3. Using any method of application not prohibited by the label.
4. Mixing two or more pesticides or mixing a pesticide with a
fertilizer when such mixture is not mentioned by the label.
◉ Ch.8 Explain what to do if state laws are more strict that label
directions. Answer: Label directions must be consistent with federal
laws. However each state may pass pesticide laws that are more
strict that (or in addition to) federal laws. It's important that you
know Wisconsin's laws that govern pesticide use. Otherwise, you
might violate state law even though you followed label directions.
◉ Ch.8 Explain which directions you should follow when using a
product whose label has changed since you bought it. Answer: -
When to Follow the Old Label: Use the product according to the label
that came with it.
-When Not to Follow the Old Label: A registrant/state/federal
agency may cancel/prohibit a product or a specific use of the
product. Then there may be a phase out date. Anyone who has some
of the product may use it up to the specified date; after that the
