Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam 2025\2026
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of pesticide labels?
A. To provide storage instructions only
B. To serve as a legal document specifying proper use
C. To advertise the product
D. To offer alternative application methods
B. To serve as a legal document specifying proper use
Rationale: Pesticide labels are legally binding documents that provide
instructions on safe and effective use. Using a pesticide contrary to
the label is a violation of law.
2. What is the primary mode of entry for most pesticides into the
human body?
A. Inhalation
B. Ingestion
C. Dermal absorption
D. Injection
C. Dermal absorption
Rationale: Most pesticide exposures occur through the skin during
mixing, loading, or application. Proper PPE reduces this risk.
3. What does the signal word “Danger” indicate on a pesticide label?
A. Slightly toxic
B. Highly toxic
C. Moderately toxic
D. Not toxic
,B. Highly toxic
Rationale: "Danger" indicates that a pesticide is highly toxic, either
through oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure.
4. Which of the following is considered a restricted-use pesticide?
A. Household insecticide spray
B. Glyphosate used in residential lawns
C. Certain organophosphate insecticides used in agriculture
D. All insect repellents
C. Certain organophosphate insecticides used in agriculture
Rationale: Restricted-use pesticides are designated due to potential
hazards to applicators or the environment. These require certified
applicators.
5. Which factor has the greatest influence on pesticide movement in
soil?
A. Soil texture
B. Soil color
C. Ambient temperature
D. Crop height
A. Soil texture
Rationale: Soil texture affects water retention and permeability,
which directly influence pesticide leaching and runoff.
6. What is the main environmental concern associated with
organophosphate insecticides?
A. Ozone depletion
B. Bird toxicity
C. Aquatic toxicity and human health risk
D. Greenhouse gas emissions
,C. Aquatic toxicity and human health risk
Rationale: Organophosphates are highly toxic to aquatic organisms
and humans, primarily affecting the nervous system.
7. Which type of pesticide formulation is absorbed into plant
tissues?
A. Dusts
B. Granules
C. Systemic
D. Emulsifiable concentrates
C. Systemic
Rationale: Systemic pesticides are absorbed and translocated within
plant tissues, providing internal protection.
8. Which PPE is most critical when handling highly toxic pesticides?
A. Gloves and respirator
B. Safety glasses only
C. Long sleeves only
D. Ear protection
A. Gloves and respirator
Rationale: Gloves and respirators protect against dermal and
inhalation exposure, which are the main routes for highly toxic
pesticides.
9. What is the primary purpose of an antidote in pesticide
poisoning?
A. To neutralize the pesticide completely
B. To prevent further pesticide exposure
C. To counteract the toxic effects on the body
D. To eliminate pesticide residues in the environment
, C. To counteract the toxic effects on the body
Rationale: Antidotes are used to counteract specific toxic effects, often
by restoring normal physiological function.
10. Which practice minimizes pesticide drift during application?
A. Applying during windy conditions
B. Using fine droplets
C. Applying close to the target surface
D. Increasing spray pressure
C. Applying close to the target surface
Rationale: Keeping the spray close to the target and using coarse
droplets reduces drift and off-target contamination.
11. What is the major advantage of using integrated pest
management (IPM)?
A. Eliminates all pests completely
B. Reduces reliance on chemical pesticides
C. Increases pesticide residues
D. Speeds up pest reproduction
B. Reduces reliance on chemical pesticides
Rationale: IPM combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and
chemical controls to minimize environmental impact and pest
resistance.
12. Which of the following is an example of a mechanical pest
control method?
A. Herbicide application
B. Trapping rodents
C. Fungal biocontrol
D. Bacterial pesticide
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of pesticide labels?
A. To provide storage instructions only
B. To serve as a legal document specifying proper use
C. To advertise the product
D. To offer alternative application methods
B. To serve as a legal document specifying proper use
Rationale: Pesticide labels are legally binding documents that provide
instructions on safe and effective use. Using a pesticide contrary to
the label is a violation of law.
2. What is the primary mode of entry for most pesticides into the
human body?
A. Inhalation
B. Ingestion
C. Dermal absorption
D. Injection
C. Dermal absorption
Rationale: Most pesticide exposures occur through the skin during
mixing, loading, or application. Proper PPE reduces this risk.
3. What does the signal word “Danger” indicate on a pesticide label?
A. Slightly toxic
B. Highly toxic
C. Moderately toxic
D. Not toxic
,B. Highly toxic
Rationale: "Danger" indicates that a pesticide is highly toxic, either
through oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure.
4. Which of the following is considered a restricted-use pesticide?
A. Household insecticide spray
B. Glyphosate used in residential lawns
C. Certain organophosphate insecticides used in agriculture
D. All insect repellents
C. Certain organophosphate insecticides used in agriculture
Rationale: Restricted-use pesticides are designated due to potential
hazards to applicators or the environment. These require certified
applicators.
5. Which factor has the greatest influence on pesticide movement in
soil?
A. Soil texture
B. Soil color
C. Ambient temperature
D. Crop height
A. Soil texture
Rationale: Soil texture affects water retention and permeability,
which directly influence pesticide leaching and runoff.
6. What is the main environmental concern associated with
organophosphate insecticides?
A. Ozone depletion
B. Bird toxicity
C. Aquatic toxicity and human health risk
D. Greenhouse gas emissions
,C. Aquatic toxicity and human health risk
Rationale: Organophosphates are highly toxic to aquatic organisms
and humans, primarily affecting the nervous system.
7. Which type of pesticide formulation is absorbed into plant
tissues?
A. Dusts
B. Granules
C. Systemic
D. Emulsifiable concentrates
C. Systemic
Rationale: Systemic pesticides are absorbed and translocated within
plant tissues, providing internal protection.
8. Which PPE is most critical when handling highly toxic pesticides?
A. Gloves and respirator
B. Safety glasses only
C. Long sleeves only
D. Ear protection
A. Gloves and respirator
Rationale: Gloves and respirators protect against dermal and
inhalation exposure, which are the main routes for highly toxic
pesticides.
9. What is the primary purpose of an antidote in pesticide
poisoning?
A. To neutralize the pesticide completely
B. To prevent further pesticide exposure
C. To counteract the toxic effects on the body
D. To eliminate pesticide residues in the environment
, C. To counteract the toxic effects on the body
Rationale: Antidotes are used to counteract specific toxic effects, often
by restoring normal physiological function.
10. Which practice minimizes pesticide drift during application?
A. Applying during windy conditions
B. Using fine droplets
C. Applying close to the target surface
D. Increasing spray pressure
C. Applying close to the target surface
Rationale: Keeping the spray close to the target and using coarse
droplets reduces drift and off-target contamination.
11. What is the major advantage of using integrated pest
management (IPM)?
A. Eliminates all pests completely
B. Reduces reliance on chemical pesticides
C. Increases pesticide residues
D. Speeds up pest reproduction
B. Reduces reliance on chemical pesticides
Rationale: IPM combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and
chemical controls to minimize environmental impact and pest
resistance.
12. Which of the following is an example of a mechanical pest
control method?
A. Herbicide application
B. Trapping rodents
C. Fungal biocontrol
D. Bacterial pesticide
