Tennessee Category 3 Ornamental &
Turfgrass Pest Control Exam Verified
Questions and Answers
Question 1
Which of the following is not true about crabgrass?
A. rooting can occur at the lower joints of stems
B. it is a summer annual
C. it reproduces by seed and by underground tubers
D. seed are produces on three to 10 fingerlike branches on tops of stems
Correct Answer
C. it reproduces by seed and by underground tubers
Question 2
Which plants are usually most susceptible to pesticide damage?
A. woody plants
B. flowering plants
C. Potted plants
D. Herbaceous plants
Correct Answer
D. herbaceous plants
Question 3
To reduce the possibility of pesticide movement, one should not:
A. take special precautions when using pesticides on a slope
B. maintain a buffer zone (if possible) between the area to be treated and sensitive
areas
C. use the least hazardous pesticide possible
D. use the highest effective rate of application
Correct Answer
D. use the highest effective rate of application
Page 1 of 54
,Question 4
When an interiorscape planting develops a problem, the first thing to do is:
A. replace affected plants with healthy ones
B. apply pesticides
C. fertilize and irrigate the affected plants
D. determine if an environmental and/or management factor is the cause
Correct Answer
D. determine if an environmental and/or management factor is the cause
Page 2 of 54
,Question 5
This annual grass grows best during cool weather:
A. dallisgrass
B. annual bluegrass
C. zoysiagrass
D. common goosegrass
Correct Answer
B. annual bluegrass
Section 1: Tennessee Laws, Regulations, and Safety (Questions 1-
15)
1. Which agency is primarily responsible for regulating pesticide use and
enforcing pesticide laws in Tennessee?
A. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
B. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
C. University of Tennessee Extension
D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The TDA’s Regulatory Services Division is responsible for enforcing
state and federal pesticide laws within Tennessee.
2. How long must a commercial pesticide applicator in Tennessee retain
records of restricted-use pesticide applications?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tennessee law requires commercial applicators to maintain
application records for restricted-use pesticides for at least 3 years.
3. The pesticide label is considered:
A. A set of guidelines
B. The law
C. A suggestion from the manufacturer
D. Applicable only to commercial applicators
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under federal and state law, the pesticide label is a legal document.
Page 3 of 54
, Using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling is a violation of the
law.
4. Which signal word indicates that a pesticide is highly toxic?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger
D. Notice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "Danger" (often accompanied by "Poison" and a skull and
crossbones) indicates high acute toxicity. "Warning" is moderate, and
"Caution" is slight.
5. If a pesticide spill occurs, who is primarily responsible for the cleanup?
A. The local fire department
B. The person who caused the spill or the applicator in charge
C. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture
D. The property owner, regardless of who spilled it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The applicator or person in control of the pesticide at the time of the
spill is legally responsible for containing and cleaning it up.
6. In Tennessee, a commercial pesticide applicator certification must be
renewed every:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tennessee commercial pesticide applicator licenses are valid for 3
years and require continuing education credits or re-examination for renewal.
7. What does "REI" stand for on a pesticide label?
A. Restricted Entry Interval
B. Recommended Exposure Index
C. Reapplication Evaluation Interval
D. Residual Effectiveness Indicator
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: REI is the Restricted Entry Interval, the time immediately after
application when entry into the treated area is restricted without proper PPE.
Page 4 of 54
Turfgrass Pest Control Exam Verified
Questions and Answers
Question 1
Which of the following is not true about crabgrass?
A. rooting can occur at the lower joints of stems
B. it is a summer annual
C. it reproduces by seed and by underground tubers
D. seed are produces on three to 10 fingerlike branches on tops of stems
Correct Answer
C. it reproduces by seed and by underground tubers
Question 2
Which plants are usually most susceptible to pesticide damage?
A. woody plants
B. flowering plants
C. Potted plants
D. Herbaceous plants
Correct Answer
D. herbaceous plants
Question 3
To reduce the possibility of pesticide movement, one should not:
A. take special precautions when using pesticides on a slope
B. maintain a buffer zone (if possible) between the area to be treated and sensitive
areas
C. use the least hazardous pesticide possible
D. use the highest effective rate of application
Correct Answer
D. use the highest effective rate of application
Page 1 of 54
,Question 4
When an interiorscape planting develops a problem, the first thing to do is:
A. replace affected plants with healthy ones
B. apply pesticides
C. fertilize and irrigate the affected plants
D. determine if an environmental and/or management factor is the cause
Correct Answer
D. determine if an environmental and/or management factor is the cause
Page 2 of 54
,Question 5
This annual grass grows best during cool weather:
A. dallisgrass
B. annual bluegrass
C. zoysiagrass
D. common goosegrass
Correct Answer
B. annual bluegrass
Section 1: Tennessee Laws, Regulations, and Safety (Questions 1-
15)
1. Which agency is primarily responsible for regulating pesticide use and
enforcing pesticide laws in Tennessee?
A. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
B. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
C. University of Tennessee Extension
D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The TDA’s Regulatory Services Division is responsible for enforcing
state and federal pesticide laws within Tennessee.
2. How long must a commercial pesticide applicator in Tennessee retain
records of restricted-use pesticide applications?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tennessee law requires commercial applicators to maintain
application records for restricted-use pesticides for at least 3 years.
3. The pesticide label is considered:
A. A set of guidelines
B. The law
C. A suggestion from the manufacturer
D. Applicable only to commercial applicators
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under federal and state law, the pesticide label is a legal document.
Page 3 of 54
, Using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling is a violation of the
law.
4. Which signal word indicates that a pesticide is highly toxic?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger
D. Notice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "Danger" (often accompanied by "Poison" and a skull and
crossbones) indicates high acute toxicity. "Warning" is moderate, and
"Caution" is slight.
5. If a pesticide spill occurs, who is primarily responsible for the cleanup?
A. The local fire department
B. The person who caused the spill or the applicator in charge
C. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture
D. The property owner, regardless of who spilled it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The applicator or person in control of the pesticide at the time of the
spill is legally responsible for containing and cleaning it up.
6. In Tennessee, a commercial pesticide applicator certification must be
renewed every:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tennessee commercial pesticide applicator licenses are valid for 3
years and require continuing education credits or re-examination for renewal.
7. What does "REI" stand for on a pesticide label?
A. Restricted Entry Interval
B. Recommended Exposure Index
C. Reapplication Evaluation Interval
D. Residual Effectiveness Indicator
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: REI is the Restricted Entry Interval, the time immediately after
application when entry into the treated area is restricted without proper PPE.
Page 4 of 54
