North Carolina Pesticide Applicator
Certification| 193 Questions | With Complete
Solutions
Course
PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
1. What is the primary purpose of the signal word on a pesticide label?
A. Identify the target pest
B. Indicate the toxicity level of the product
C. Show the manufacturer’s address
D. Recommend the application rate
✅ Correct Answer: B. Indicate the toxicity level of the product
Explanation:
The signal word (“Caution,” “Warning,” or “Danger”) reflects the acute toxicity to humans and
is legally required. "Danger" indicates the highest toxicity, followed by "Warning" and
"Caution."
2. What PPE is required when a pesticide label states: “Wear chemical-resistant
gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection”?
A. Cotton gloves, short sleeves, and goggles
B. Nitrile gloves, long-sleeved shirt, safety goggles
C. Bare hands, eye protection only
D. Leather gloves, t-shirt, and face shield
✅ Correct Answer: B. Nitrile gloves, long-sleeved shirt, safety goggles
Explanation:
“Chemical-resistant” excludes leather or cotton. Nitrile or neoprene gloves meet the
requirement, along with skin coverage and eye protection.
3. Which action is most appropriate if a pesticide container is leaking during
transport in North Carolina?
A. Rinse the container and throw it in the trash
B. Leave it and notify local authorities
,C. Place it inside a secondary containment and return it to storage
D. Dispose of it on-site immediately
✅ Correct Answer: C. Place it inside a secondary containment and return it to storage
Explanation:
State law and EPA guidelines require secondary containment during leaks to avoid
contamination. Immediate disposal or abandonment may be illegal.
4. How often must you maintain pesticide application records under North
Carolina law for restricted-use pesticides?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. 2 years
D. 5 years
✅ Correct Answer: C. 2 years
Explanation:
NCDA&CS (North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services) mandates that
restricted-use pesticide records be kept for 2 years and made available upon inspection.
5. What is the term for pesticide movement through soil into groundwater?
A. Volatilization
B. Leaching
C. Drift
D. Absorption
✅ Correct Answer: B. Leaching
Explanation:
Leaching refers to the downward movement of chemicals through soil, often leading to
groundwater contamination if not properly managed.
6. Which is a violation of North Carolina pesticide law?
A. Applying pesticides according to label directions
B. Allowing minor drift onto neighboring property
,C. Wearing full PPE during application
D. Using a licensed pesticide dealer
✅ Correct Answer: B. Allowing minor drift onto neighboring property
Explanation:
Any pesticide drift that affects off-target areas is a violation under NC law, regardless of
quantity or intent.
7. What is the most effective way to prevent pesticide resistance in pests?
A. Reapply the same pesticide weekly
B. Alternate pesticides with different modes of action
C. Apply a higher dosage than recommended
D. Use pre-emergent pesticides only
✅ Correct Answer: B. Alternate pesticides with different modes of action
Explanation:
Rotating chemical classes (modes of action) disrupts pest adaptation. Repetitive use of the same
compound fosters resistance.
8. Which of the following is required to legally apply restricted-use pesticides in
North Carolina?
A. High school diploma
B. Commercial driver's license
C. Valid pesticide applicator certification
D. Supervisor's verbal permission
✅ Correct Answer: C. Valid pesticide applicator certification
Explanation:
Restricted-use pesticides may only be applied by or under the direct supervision of certified
applicators per state and federal law.
9. When mixing pesticides, what is the correct order for adding products to the
spray tank?
, A. Water-soluble packets → ECs → Wettable powders → Water
B. Water → Dry formulations → Emulsifiable concentrates → Surfactants
C. Wettable powders → Surfactants → ECs → Add water last
D. Water → Surfactants → ECs → Wettable powders
✅ Correct Answer: B. Water → Dry formulations → Emulsifiable concentrates →
Surfactants
Explanation:
The W-A-L-E-S method is often used:
Wettable powders
Agitate
Liquids (ECs)
Emulsifiers
Surfactants
Always start with water to prevent product backflow.
10. What is the best way to dispose of excess pesticide mix?
A. Pour it down the drain
B. Spray it out over a labeled treatment site
C. Store it indefinitely
D. Dump it in a ditch away from crops
✅ Correct Answer: B. Spray it out over a labeled treatment site
Explanation:
You must use excess pesticide legally — that means applying it on a labeled crop/site at legal
rates. Drains, ditches, or storage are illegal or unsafe.
11. What is the primary concern with applying pesticides near wells or sinkholes?
A. Spray drift
B. Contamination of groundwater
C. Label violation
D. Slow pest control
✅ Correct Answer: B. Contamination of groundwater
Rationale:
Wells and sinkholes offer direct pathways to aquifers. Pesticide infiltration poses serious public
health and environmental risks.
Certification| 193 Questions | With Complete
Solutions
Course
PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
1. What is the primary purpose of the signal word on a pesticide label?
A. Identify the target pest
B. Indicate the toxicity level of the product
C. Show the manufacturer’s address
D. Recommend the application rate
✅ Correct Answer: B. Indicate the toxicity level of the product
Explanation:
The signal word (“Caution,” “Warning,” or “Danger”) reflects the acute toxicity to humans and
is legally required. "Danger" indicates the highest toxicity, followed by "Warning" and
"Caution."
2. What PPE is required when a pesticide label states: “Wear chemical-resistant
gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection”?
A. Cotton gloves, short sleeves, and goggles
B. Nitrile gloves, long-sleeved shirt, safety goggles
C. Bare hands, eye protection only
D. Leather gloves, t-shirt, and face shield
✅ Correct Answer: B. Nitrile gloves, long-sleeved shirt, safety goggles
Explanation:
“Chemical-resistant” excludes leather or cotton. Nitrile or neoprene gloves meet the
requirement, along with skin coverage and eye protection.
3. Which action is most appropriate if a pesticide container is leaking during
transport in North Carolina?
A. Rinse the container and throw it in the trash
B. Leave it and notify local authorities
,C. Place it inside a secondary containment and return it to storage
D. Dispose of it on-site immediately
✅ Correct Answer: C. Place it inside a secondary containment and return it to storage
Explanation:
State law and EPA guidelines require secondary containment during leaks to avoid
contamination. Immediate disposal or abandonment may be illegal.
4. How often must you maintain pesticide application records under North
Carolina law for restricted-use pesticides?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. 2 years
D. 5 years
✅ Correct Answer: C. 2 years
Explanation:
NCDA&CS (North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services) mandates that
restricted-use pesticide records be kept for 2 years and made available upon inspection.
5. What is the term for pesticide movement through soil into groundwater?
A. Volatilization
B. Leaching
C. Drift
D. Absorption
✅ Correct Answer: B. Leaching
Explanation:
Leaching refers to the downward movement of chemicals through soil, often leading to
groundwater contamination if not properly managed.
6. Which is a violation of North Carolina pesticide law?
A. Applying pesticides according to label directions
B. Allowing minor drift onto neighboring property
,C. Wearing full PPE during application
D. Using a licensed pesticide dealer
✅ Correct Answer: B. Allowing minor drift onto neighboring property
Explanation:
Any pesticide drift that affects off-target areas is a violation under NC law, regardless of
quantity or intent.
7. What is the most effective way to prevent pesticide resistance in pests?
A. Reapply the same pesticide weekly
B. Alternate pesticides with different modes of action
C. Apply a higher dosage than recommended
D. Use pre-emergent pesticides only
✅ Correct Answer: B. Alternate pesticides with different modes of action
Explanation:
Rotating chemical classes (modes of action) disrupts pest adaptation. Repetitive use of the same
compound fosters resistance.
8. Which of the following is required to legally apply restricted-use pesticides in
North Carolina?
A. High school diploma
B. Commercial driver's license
C. Valid pesticide applicator certification
D. Supervisor's verbal permission
✅ Correct Answer: C. Valid pesticide applicator certification
Explanation:
Restricted-use pesticides may only be applied by or under the direct supervision of certified
applicators per state and federal law.
9. When mixing pesticides, what is the correct order for adding products to the
spray tank?
, A. Water-soluble packets → ECs → Wettable powders → Water
B. Water → Dry formulations → Emulsifiable concentrates → Surfactants
C. Wettable powders → Surfactants → ECs → Add water last
D. Water → Surfactants → ECs → Wettable powders
✅ Correct Answer: B. Water → Dry formulations → Emulsifiable concentrates →
Surfactants
Explanation:
The W-A-L-E-S method is often used:
Wettable powders
Agitate
Liquids (ECs)
Emulsifiers
Surfactants
Always start with water to prevent product backflow.
10. What is the best way to dispose of excess pesticide mix?
A. Pour it down the drain
B. Spray it out over a labeled treatment site
C. Store it indefinitely
D. Dump it in a ditch away from crops
✅ Correct Answer: B. Spray it out over a labeled treatment site
Explanation:
You must use excess pesticide legally — that means applying it on a labeled crop/site at legal
rates. Drains, ditches, or storage are illegal or unsafe.
11. What is the primary concern with applying pesticides near wells or sinkholes?
A. Spray drift
B. Contamination of groundwater
C. Label violation
D. Slow pest control
✅ Correct Answer: B. Contamination of groundwater
Rationale:
Wells and sinkholes offer direct pathways to aquifers. Pesticide infiltration poses serious public
health and environmental risks.
