North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Certification
Exam Questions and Answers 2026
A product which by law may be sold or applied only by certified applicators or person(s)
under their direct supervision is a ________________ pesticide.
A General-Use
B Restricted-Use
C Special review
D Stop Sale -Correct Answer ✔-B - Restricted use (Chapter 1)
Insect (four characteristics) -Correct Answer ✔-Arthropod
3 body regions
6 legs
wings; usually two pairs on adults only
Private applicator may be a...
A Farmer
B Nursery operator
C Christmas tree grower
D All/Any of the above -Correct Answer ✔-D All/Any of the above (Chapter 1)
To become re-certified, you can:
A Retake the certification exam
B Complete the required continuing education classes for recertification
C Send an application in the mail to NCDA&CS
D A or B -Correct Answer ✔-D A or B (Chapter 1)
A commercial applicator...
A Is anyone who uses or supervises the use of any pesticide on someone else's
property for compensation.
B Produces an agricultural commodity
C Is required to be licensed with the NCDA&CS
D A and C -Correct Answer ✔-D - Is anyone who uses or supervises the use of
pesticides on someone else's property for compensation (for purposes other than those
covered under a private applicator certification). They are required to be licensed with
the NCDA&CS. (Chapter 1)
To perform pest-control services for hire, a certified structural pest control applicator
must work for a ___________ pest-control company?
A Licensed
B Non-commercial
C Certified
D Registered -Correct Answer ✔-A - Licensed (Chapter 1)
,Which federal agency is responsible for implementing pesticide rules & regulations and
registering pesticides in the USA? -Correct Answer ✔-Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) - (Chapter 2)
Which statement about FIFRA is false?
A State restrictions on pesticides can be less strict than those of FIFRA
B Approved pesticide labels have the force of law
C The EPA has the authority to remove pesticide products from the market
D FIFRA regulates the registration of pesticide products -Correct Answer ✔-A - State
Restriction on pesticides can be less strict than those of FIFRA (Chapter 2)
The North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971 regulates which of the following?
A Registration pesticides
B Handling of pesticides
C Storage of pesticides
D Disposal of pesticides
E All of the above -Correct Answer ✔-E All of the above (Chapter 2)
When storing pesticides in North Carolina, which of the following is false?
A If the container is leaking, it is acceptable to transfer the pesticide into a new,
unlabeled container.
B Pesticides should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area
C Label recommendations should be followed when storing pesticides
D Pesticides should be stored in an organized manner away from combustible
chemicals like gasoline. -Correct Answer ✔-A - False. In other words, if a container is
leaking it is NOT acceptable to transfer the pesticide into a new, unlabeled container.
This is unsafe. (Chapter 2)
North Carolina, it is illegal to use a pesticide to kill which of these vertebrate animals?
A House Mouse
B Canada Goose
C Pine Vole
D Starling -Correct Answer ✔-B - Canada Goose (migratory bird, I think) - Chapter 2
Using barriers to prevent pests from getting into an area is an example of which type of
pest management method?
A - Biological Control
B - Mechanical Control
C - Genetic Control
D - Chemical Control -Correct Answer ✔-B - Mechanical control (Chapter 3)
Lowering the humidity of stored grains and other food products to reduce damage from
mold is an example of which type of pest management method?
A Biological
B Mechanical
, C Physical/environmental modification
D Regulatory pest control -Correct Answer ✔-C - Physical/environmental modification
(Chapter 3)
Which statement is true about biological control methods?
A - If pesticides are part of a biological control program to control an exotic pest, it is
better to apply them at the strongest labeled rate and to choose the more toxic
pesticides.
B - Modifying the environment to enhance natural enemies is a recommended practice
in biological control.
C - Biological control involves the importation of exotic pests to control natural enemies.
D - Using several cultural practices and wide variety of pesticides works best in
biological control -Correct Answer ✔-B - Modifying the apartment to enhance natural
enemies is a recommended practice in biological control (Chapter 3)
Sealing cracks and crevices and small openings in buildings an example of what type of
mechanical control method?
A Exclusion
B Trapping
C Cultivation
D Mulching -Correct Answer ✔-A - Exclusion (Chapter 3)
Which statement about cultural control practices is true?
A - Cultural controls involve the release of parasites and predators found in foreign
countries.
B - Trapping is an important cultural control practice
C - Sanitation is not considered a controlled practice
D - Cultural practices alter the environment, the condition of the host, or the behavior of
the pest to prevent or suppress an investigation -Correct Answer ✔-D - Cultural
practices alter the environment, condition of the host, or the behavior of the pest to
prevent or suppress infestation (Chapter 3)
Which statement about regulatory pest-control is true?
A Pests that pose a serious public health threat are rarely regulated by federal and state
agencies.
B Pests that are to be eradicated are rarely under a quarantine restrictions.
C Airports and ocean ports are monitored by pest quarantine regulatory agencies.
D Entry of pests across state lines is not regulated -Correct Answer ✔-C Airports and
ocean ports are monitored by pest quarantine regulatory agencies. (Chapter 3)
Which statement about pest management strategies in IPM is true?
A The goal is often to maintain pest damage at economically acceptable levels.
Exam Questions and Answers 2026
A product which by law may be sold or applied only by certified applicators or person(s)
under their direct supervision is a ________________ pesticide.
A General-Use
B Restricted-Use
C Special review
D Stop Sale -Correct Answer ✔-B - Restricted use (Chapter 1)
Insect (four characteristics) -Correct Answer ✔-Arthropod
3 body regions
6 legs
wings; usually two pairs on adults only
Private applicator may be a...
A Farmer
B Nursery operator
C Christmas tree grower
D All/Any of the above -Correct Answer ✔-D All/Any of the above (Chapter 1)
To become re-certified, you can:
A Retake the certification exam
B Complete the required continuing education classes for recertification
C Send an application in the mail to NCDA&CS
D A or B -Correct Answer ✔-D A or B (Chapter 1)
A commercial applicator...
A Is anyone who uses or supervises the use of any pesticide on someone else's
property for compensation.
B Produces an agricultural commodity
C Is required to be licensed with the NCDA&CS
D A and C -Correct Answer ✔-D - Is anyone who uses or supervises the use of
pesticides on someone else's property for compensation (for purposes other than those
covered under a private applicator certification). They are required to be licensed with
the NCDA&CS. (Chapter 1)
To perform pest-control services for hire, a certified structural pest control applicator
must work for a ___________ pest-control company?
A Licensed
B Non-commercial
C Certified
D Registered -Correct Answer ✔-A - Licensed (Chapter 1)
,Which federal agency is responsible for implementing pesticide rules & regulations and
registering pesticides in the USA? -Correct Answer ✔-Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) - (Chapter 2)
Which statement about FIFRA is false?
A State restrictions on pesticides can be less strict than those of FIFRA
B Approved pesticide labels have the force of law
C The EPA has the authority to remove pesticide products from the market
D FIFRA regulates the registration of pesticide products -Correct Answer ✔-A - State
Restriction on pesticides can be less strict than those of FIFRA (Chapter 2)
The North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971 regulates which of the following?
A Registration pesticides
B Handling of pesticides
C Storage of pesticides
D Disposal of pesticides
E All of the above -Correct Answer ✔-E All of the above (Chapter 2)
When storing pesticides in North Carolina, which of the following is false?
A If the container is leaking, it is acceptable to transfer the pesticide into a new,
unlabeled container.
B Pesticides should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area
C Label recommendations should be followed when storing pesticides
D Pesticides should be stored in an organized manner away from combustible
chemicals like gasoline. -Correct Answer ✔-A - False. In other words, if a container is
leaking it is NOT acceptable to transfer the pesticide into a new, unlabeled container.
This is unsafe. (Chapter 2)
North Carolina, it is illegal to use a pesticide to kill which of these vertebrate animals?
A House Mouse
B Canada Goose
C Pine Vole
D Starling -Correct Answer ✔-B - Canada Goose (migratory bird, I think) - Chapter 2
Using barriers to prevent pests from getting into an area is an example of which type of
pest management method?
A - Biological Control
B - Mechanical Control
C - Genetic Control
D - Chemical Control -Correct Answer ✔-B - Mechanical control (Chapter 3)
Lowering the humidity of stored grains and other food products to reduce damage from
mold is an example of which type of pest management method?
A Biological
B Mechanical
, C Physical/environmental modification
D Regulatory pest control -Correct Answer ✔-C - Physical/environmental modification
(Chapter 3)
Which statement is true about biological control methods?
A - If pesticides are part of a biological control program to control an exotic pest, it is
better to apply them at the strongest labeled rate and to choose the more toxic
pesticides.
B - Modifying the environment to enhance natural enemies is a recommended practice
in biological control.
C - Biological control involves the importation of exotic pests to control natural enemies.
D - Using several cultural practices and wide variety of pesticides works best in
biological control -Correct Answer ✔-B - Modifying the apartment to enhance natural
enemies is a recommended practice in biological control (Chapter 3)
Sealing cracks and crevices and small openings in buildings an example of what type of
mechanical control method?
A Exclusion
B Trapping
C Cultivation
D Mulching -Correct Answer ✔-A - Exclusion (Chapter 3)
Which statement about cultural control practices is true?
A - Cultural controls involve the release of parasites and predators found in foreign
countries.
B - Trapping is an important cultural control practice
C - Sanitation is not considered a controlled practice
D - Cultural practices alter the environment, the condition of the host, or the behavior of
the pest to prevent or suppress an investigation -Correct Answer ✔-D - Cultural
practices alter the environment, condition of the host, or the behavior of the pest to
prevent or suppress infestation (Chapter 3)
Which statement about regulatory pest-control is true?
A Pests that pose a serious public health threat are rarely regulated by federal and state
agencies.
B Pests that are to be eradicated are rarely under a quarantine restrictions.
C Airports and ocean ports are monitored by pest quarantine regulatory agencies.
D Entry of pests across state lines is not regulated -Correct Answer ✔-C Airports and
ocean ports are monitored by pest quarantine regulatory agencies. (Chapter 3)
Which statement about pest management strategies in IPM is true?
A The goal is often to maintain pest damage at economically acceptable levels.
