North Carolina Pesticide Applicator
Certification| 193 Questions | With Complete
Solutions
Course
PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
1. Which federal law governs the sale and use of pesticides in the United States?
A. Clean Water Act
B. FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)
C. OSHA Act
D. Endangered Species Act
Answer: B. FIFRA
Rationale: FIFRA is the primary law regulating pesticide registration, labeling, distribution, and
use. The EPA administers it.
2. The pesticide label states “Danger – Poison” with a skull and crossbones. What
signal word does this represent?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger
D. None
Answer: C. Danger
Rationale: “Danger” with skull and crossbones indicates a highly toxic pesticide (Category I).
3. Which piece of PPE is most important when handling pesticides that can be
absorbed through the skin?
A. Dust mask
B. Protective gloves
C. Hard hat
D. Safety boots
Answer: B. Protective gloves
Rationale: Most pesticide exposure occurs through the skin. Gloves reduce dermal absorption
risk.
,4. Which of the following is the legal document you must follow when applying a
pesticide?
A. MSDS (SDS)
B. Pesticide label
C. Extension guide
D. Local weather report
Answer: B. Pesticide label
Rationale: The label is the law. It provides required instructions for legal and safe use.
5. A pesticide is classified as “restricted use.” Who is legally allowed to purchase
and apply it?
A. Any farm worker
B. Licensed applicators only
C. Anyone over 18 years old
D. Cooperative extension agents only
Answer: B. Licensed applicators only
Rationale: Restricted use pesticides (RUPs) require certified/licensed applicators because of
risks to humans or the environment.
6. Drift is least likely to occur when:
A. Winds are 10–15 mph
B. Nozzle produces fine droplets
C. Spraying during calm, cool weather
D. Using high spray pressure
Answer: C. Spraying during calm, cool weather
Rationale: Calm conditions, lower temps, and larger droplets reduce drift risk.
7. Which statement about pesticide storage is correct?
A. Store pesticides in food containers to avoid confusion
B. Keep pesticides in a locked, well-ventilated area
,C. Store pesticides with fertilizers and feed
D. Place pesticides on wooden shelves near heat sources
Answer: B. Keep pesticides in a locked, well-ventilated area
Rationale: Storage must prevent unauthorized access, spills, and contamination of food/feed.
8. A label states: “Apply 2 pounds active ingredient per acre.” If the formulation
is 50% active ingredient, how many pounds of product should you apply per
acre?
A. 1 pound
B. 2 pounds
C. 3 pounds
D. 4 pounds
Answer: D. 4 pounds
Rationale: If product is 50% a.i., then each pound has 0.5 lb a.i. To apply 2 lbs a.i., need 2 ÷ 0.5
= 4 lbs product.
9. Which water source is most at risk of pesticide contamination from back-
siphoning during mixing?
A. Deep well with air gap
B. Municipal hydrant
C. Pond where hose is submerged
D. Rain barrel
Answer: C. Pond where hose is submerged
Rationale: Without an air gap, back-siphoning can pull pesticides into the water source,
contaminating it.
10. Which practice helps prevent pesticide resistance?
A. Using the same pesticide repeatedly
B. Mixing multiple pesticides in one tank regardless of compatibility
C. Rotating chemicals with different modes of action
D. Applying higher-than-labeled rates
, Answer: C. Rotating chemicals with different modes of action
Rationale: Resistance develops when pests are exposed to the same mode of action repeatedly.
Rotation slows this process.
11. Which signal word indicates the lowest level of acute toxicity?
A. Danger
B. Warning
C. Caution
D. Poison
Answer: C. Caution
Rationale: “Caution” = Category III or IV toxicity (least toxic). “Danger”/“Poison” indicate the
highest hazard.
12. A pesticide label instructs: “Wear chemical-resistant gloves.” Which material is
generally safest for most pesticides?
A. Cotton
B. Leather
C. Nitrile rubber
D. Wool
Answer: C. Nitrile rubber
Rationale: Nitrile or neoprene gloves resist chemical penetration better than porous materials
like cotton or leather.
13. The main purpose of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is to:
A. Regulate pesticide storage
B. Protect employees on farms and in greenhouses from pesticide exposure
C. Control pesticide drift
D. Establish pesticide container requirements
Answer: B. Protect employees on farms and in greenhouses from pesticide exposure
Rationale: WPS is an EPA regulation that focuses on agricultural worker safety.
14. If a pesticide label states “Do not re-enter for 24 hours,” what does this mean?
A. Only applicators may enter during spraying
B. Anyone may enter with PPE during spraying
Certification| 193 Questions | With Complete
Solutions
Course
PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
1. Which federal law governs the sale and use of pesticides in the United States?
A. Clean Water Act
B. FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)
C. OSHA Act
D. Endangered Species Act
Answer: B. FIFRA
Rationale: FIFRA is the primary law regulating pesticide registration, labeling, distribution, and
use. The EPA administers it.
2. The pesticide label states “Danger – Poison” with a skull and crossbones. What
signal word does this represent?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger
D. None
Answer: C. Danger
Rationale: “Danger” with skull and crossbones indicates a highly toxic pesticide (Category I).
3. Which piece of PPE is most important when handling pesticides that can be
absorbed through the skin?
A. Dust mask
B. Protective gloves
C. Hard hat
D. Safety boots
Answer: B. Protective gloves
Rationale: Most pesticide exposure occurs through the skin. Gloves reduce dermal absorption
risk.
,4. Which of the following is the legal document you must follow when applying a
pesticide?
A. MSDS (SDS)
B. Pesticide label
C. Extension guide
D. Local weather report
Answer: B. Pesticide label
Rationale: The label is the law. It provides required instructions for legal and safe use.
5. A pesticide is classified as “restricted use.” Who is legally allowed to purchase
and apply it?
A. Any farm worker
B. Licensed applicators only
C. Anyone over 18 years old
D. Cooperative extension agents only
Answer: B. Licensed applicators only
Rationale: Restricted use pesticides (RUPs) require certified/licensed applicators because of
risks to humans or the environment.
6. Drift is least likely to occur when:
A. Winds are 10–15 mph
B. Nozzle produces fine droplets
C. Spraying during calm, cool weather
D. Using high spray pressure
Answer: C. Spraying during calm, cool weather
Rationale: Calm conditions, lower temps, and larger droplets reduce drift risk.
7. Which statement about pesticide storage is correct?
A. Store pesticides in food containers to avoid confusion
B. Keep pesticides in a locked, well-ventilated area
,C. Store pesticides with fertilizers and feed
D. Place pesticides on wooden shelves near heat sources
Answer: B. Keep pesticides in a locked, well-ventilated area
Rationale: Storage must prevent unauthorized access, spills, and contamination of food/feed.
8. A label states: “Apply 2 pounds active ingredient per acre.” If the formulation
is 50% active ingredient, how many pounds of product should you apply per
acre?
A. 1 pound
B. 2 pounds
C. 3 pounds
D. 4 pounds
Answer: D. 4 pounds
Rationale: If product is 50% a.i., then each pound has 0.5 lb a.i. To apply 2 lbs a.i., need 2 ÷ 0.5
= 4 lbs product.
9. Which water source is most at risk of pesticide contamination from back-
siphoning during mixing?
A. Deep well with air gap
B. Municipal hydrant
C. Pond where hose is submerged
D. Rain barrel
Answer: C. Pond where hose is submerged
Rationale: Without an air gap, back-siphoning can pull pesticides into the water source,
contaminating it.
10. Which practice helps prevent pesticide resistance?
A. Using the same pesticide repeatedly
B. Mixing multiple pesticides in one tank regardless of compatibility
C. Rotating chemicals with different modes of action
D. Applying higher-than-labeled rates
, Answer: C. Rotating chemicals with different modes of action
Rationale: Resistance develops when pests are exposed to the same mode of action repeatedly.
Rotation slows this process.
11. Which signal word indicates the lowest level of acute toxicity?
A. Danger
B. Warning
C. Caution
D. Poison
Answer: C. Caution
Rationale: “Caution” = Category III or IV toxicity (least toxic). “Danger”/“Poison” indicate the
highest hazard.
12. A pesticide label instructs: “Wear chemical-resistant gloves.” Which material is
generally safest for most pesticides?
A. Cotton
B. Leather
C. Nitrile rubber
D. Wool
Answer: C. Nitrile rubber
Rationale: Nitrile or neoprene gloves resist chemical penetration better than porous materials
like cotton or leather.
13. The main purpose of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is to:
A. Regulate pesticide storage
B. Protect employees on farms and in greenhouses from pesticide exposure
C. Control pesticide drift
D. Establish pesticide container requirements
Answer: B. Protect employees on farms and in greenhouses from pesticide exposure
Rationale: WPS is an EPA regulation that focuses on agricultural worker safety.
14. If a pesticide label states “Do not re-enter for 24 hours,” what does this mean?
A. Only applicators may enter during spraying
B. Anyone may enter with PPE during spraying
