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SOUTH DAKOTA PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED- VERIFIED ANSWERS- ALREADY
GRADED A+ || NEWEST EXAM 2025-2026
Agriculture, Horticulture, Landscape Management, Public Works,
Forestry /Environmental Science / Agricultural Pest Management
This practice exam covers FIFRA and state laws (SDCL 38‑21, ARSD
12:56), label comprehension (signal words, PPE, REI), safety (routes of
exposure, toxicity, poisoning symptoms), environmental protection (drift,
runoff, pollinators, groundwater), IPM (monitoring, thresholds, multiple
tactics), equipment calibration, formulations (EC, WP, G, SP), specific
SD categories (Category G core, Category 1 agricultural, Category 3 turf,
Category 5 aquatic, Category 6 right‑of‑way, Category 15
wood‑destroying), new endorsements (M‑44, fumigants, aerial), storage
and disposal, and recordkeeping/recertification. Designed for the South
Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR)
certification program.
SECTION 1 – LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND ENFORCEMENT (Questions 1–
20)
1. Which federal law governs pesticide registration, distribution, sale,
and use in the United States, and is the foundation for South Dakota’s
pesticide certification program?
A) Clean Water Act
B) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
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C) Safe Drinking Water Act
D) Endangered Species Act
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: FIFRA is the federal law that regulates pesticide registration,
labeling, distribution, and use. South Dakota’s Department of Agriculture
and Natural Resources (DANR) administers the pesticide certification
program under FIFRA and state law (SD Codified Law 38‑21).
2. Under South Dakota law, which of the following individuals is
considered a “commercial applicator” and must obtain a commercial
pesticide applicator license?
A) A farmer applying pesticides only on their own cropland.
B) A homeowner applying weed killer to their own lawn.
C) A person who applies pesticides for hire on the lands of another or
applies pesticides as a government employee.
D) A retail clerk selling general‑use pesticides over the counter.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: South Dakota law defines a commercial applicator as anyone
who engages in the business of applying pesticides to the lands of
another, advertises such services, applies pesticides as a government
employee, or otherwise acts as a commercial applicator. Private
applicators apply only to their own agricultural commodities.
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3. What is the primary role of the South Dakota Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) regarding pesticides?
A) To manufacture and distribute pesticides.
B) To provide training only, not enforcement.
C) To train, certify, and license pesticide applicators, and license
pesticide dealers.
D) To register only restricted‑use pesticides.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Under FIFRA and state law, DANR is the lead agency
administering the pesticide certification program. It trains, certifies, and
licenses applicators and dealers, registers pesticides, and enforces
compliance.
4. A commercial applicator’s certification and license in South Dakota
expires after how many years, and by what date must it be renewed?
A) 1 year; expires December 31.
B) 2 years; must be renewed by the last day of February in the year of
expiration.
C) 3 years; expires on March 1.
D) 5 years; expires on the applicator’s birthday.
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CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Commercial applicator certification and licensure in South
Dakota is valid for two years. It must be recertified and renewed by the
last day of February in the expiration year.
5. According to SD Codified Law 38‑21‑17, what is the annual fee for a
commercial pesticide applicator license?
A) $10
B) $25
C) $35
D) $50
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: South Dakota law requires a fee of $35 for a commercial
pesticide applicator license, along with proof of financial responsibility.
6. Which South Dakota Administrative Rule chapter establishes the
general standards for certification of commercial applicators?
A) ARSD 12:56:05:04
B) ARSD 20:10:01
SOUTH DAKOTA PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED- VERIFIED ANSWERS- ALREADY
GRADED A+ || NEWEST EXAM 2025-2026
Agriculture, Horticulture, Landscape Management, Public Works,
Forestry /Environmental Science / Agricultural Pest Management
This practice exam covers FIFRA and state laws (SDCL 38‑21, ARSD
12:56), label comprehension (signal words, PPE, REI), safety (routes of
exposure, toxicity, poisoning symptoms), environmental protection (drift,
runoff, pollinators, groundwater), IPM (monitoring, thresholds, multiple
tactics), equipment calibration, formulations (EC, WP, G, SP), specific
SD categories (Category G core, Category 1 agricultural, Category 3 turf,
Category 5 aquatic, Category 6 right‑of‑way, Category 15
wood‑destroying), new endorsements (M‑44, fumigants, aerial), storage
and disposal, and recordkeeping/recertification. Designed for the South
Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR)
certification program.
SECTION 1 – LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND ENFORCEMENT (Questions 1–
20)
1. Which federal law governs pesticide registration, distribution, sale,
and use in the United States, and is the foundation for South Dakota’s
pesticide certification program?
A) Clean Water Act
B) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
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C) Safe Drinking Water Act
D) Endangered Species Act
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: FIFRA is the federal law that regulates pesticide registration,
labeling, distribution, and use. South Dakota’s Department of Agriculture
and Natural Resources (DANR) administers the pesticide certification
program under FIFRA and state law (SD Codified Law 38‑21).
2. Under South Dakota law, which of the following individuals is
considered a “commercial applicator” and must obtain a commercial
pesticide applicator license?
A) A farmer applying pesticides only on their own cropland.
B) A homeowner applying weed killer to their own lawn.
C) A person who applies pesticides for hire on the lands of another or
applies pesticides as a government employee.
D) A retail clerk selling general‑use pesticides over the counter.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: South Dakota law defines a commercial applicator as anyone
who engages in the business of applying pesticides to the lands of
another, advertises such services, applies pesticides as a government
employee, or otherwise acts as a commercial applicator. Private
applicators apply only to their own agricultural commodities.
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3. What is the primary role of the South Dakota Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) regarding pesticides?
A) To manufacture and distribute pesticides.
B) To provide training only, not enforcement.
C) To train, certify, and license pesticide applicators, and license
pesticide dealers.
D) To register only restricted‑use pesticides.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Under FIFRA and state law, DANR is the lead agency
administering the pesticide certification program. It trains, certifies, and
licenses applicators and dealers, registers pesticides, and enforces
compliance.
4. A commercial applicator’s certification and license in South Dakota
expires after how many years, and by what date must it be renewed?
A) 1 year; expires December 31.
B) 2 years; must be renewed by the last day of February in the year of
expiration.
C) 3 years; expires on March 1.
D) 5 years; expires on the applicator’s birthday.
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CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Commercial applicator certification and licensure in South
Dakota is valid for two years. It must be recertified and renewed by the
last day of February in the expiration year.
5. According to SD Codified Law 38‑21‑17, what is the annual fee for a
commercial pesticide applicator license?
A) $10
B) $25
C) $35
D) $50
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: South Dakota law requires a fee of $35 for a commercial
pesticide applicator license, along with proof of financial responsibility.
6. Which South Dakota Administrative Rule chapter establishes the
general standards for certification of commercial applicators?
A) ARSD 12:56:05:04
B) ARSD 20:10:01
