NEW YORK CATEGORY 3A – ORNAMENTAL AND TURF PEST CONTROL CERTIFICATION TEST QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Ornamentals and Turf
2. Plant Health Care and Diagnostic Skills
3. Pesticide Safety, Formulations, and Modes of Action
4. Environmental Fate and Groundwater Protection
5. Laws, Regulations, and Recordkeeping (NYSDEC Article 33, 6 NYCRR)
6. Application Equipment Calibration and Maintenance
7. Pollinator Protection and Endangered Species Compliance
8. Turfgrass and Ornamental Weed, Insect, and Disease Identification
9. Professional Ethics, Integrated Resistance Management, and Communication
Introduction
*This examination is designed to assess the competency of candidates seeking New York Category 3a
certification for commercial ornamental and turf pest control. It measures foundational knowledge of pest
biology, plant health care, and integrated pest management strategies. The test emphasizes real-world
application, regulatory compliance under NYSDEC rules, environmental stewardship, and ethical decision-
making. Questions include both direct multiple-choice items and scenario-based problems requiring critical
thinking. Candidates must demonstrate safe handling, proper calibration, and an understanding of pesticide
,modes of action. This assessment does not include memorized years or dates; instead, it focuses on enduring
professional standards and current best practices.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A landscaper finds white grubs damaging a client’s tall fescue lawn in late August. The grubs are small, C-
shaped, and have six legs. Which IPM action is most appropriate first step?
A. Apply a preventative neonicotinoid insecticide immediately
B. Confirm grub density by cutting three 1-ft² sod samples
C. Treat with chlorantraniliprole regardless of scouting results
D. Recommend complete lawn renovation and overseeding
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: IPM requires monitoring and action thresholds before treatment. Sampling confirms if grub
density exceeds turf tolerance (typically 5–10 grubs/ft²).
Question 2
Under NYSDEC regulations, what is the maximum fine for a first offense of applying a restricted-use pesticide
without a valid 3a certification?
A. 500B.1,000
C. 5, 000D.10,000
,🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: NY Environmental Conservation Law §33-1301 allows up to $5,000 for first violation of
restricted-use pesticide application without certification.
Question 3
A technician uses a boom sprayer at 30 psi with flat-fan nozzles. The desired output is 40 gallons per acre at 5
mph. Actual output is 50 gpa. What should the technician do to correct the rate?
A. Increase pressure to 50 psi
B. Decrease speed to 4 mph
C. Increase speed to 6.25 mph
D. Change to higher flow rate nozzles
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: GPA is inversely proportional to speed. New speed = (desired GPA / actual GPA) × original
speed = (40/50) × 5 = 4 mph? Wait recompute: Correct formula: speed2 = (GPA1 × speed1) / GPA2? No – GPA
= (flow rate) / (speed × width). To lower GPA, increase speed. 40/50 × 5 mph = 4 mph? That would lower speed,
which raises GPA. Mistake – recalc: Desired GPA 40, actual 50 → need less output per area → increase speed. 5
mph × (50/40) = 6.25 mph. Yes.
Question 4
Which pesticide formulation poses the greatest drift hazard for a turf applicator working near a vegetable
garden?
A. Microencapsulated (ME)
B. Water-dispersible granule (WDG)
, C. Emulsifiable concentrate (EC)
D. Granular (G)
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Microencapsulated formulations release active ingredient in small capsules that remain
airborne, drift readily, and can retain toxicity longer, posing off-target risk.
Question 5
A tree care firm applies a systemic neonicotinoid as a soil drench to a linden tree in full bloom. Honey bees are
foraging actively. This practice:
A. Is always legal in NY
B. Violates NY pollinator protection regulations if done during bloom
C. Is allowed only if using less than labeled rate
D. Is prohibited only for foliar sprays, not drenches
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: NY Environmental Conservation Law prohibits application of certain neonicotinoids to linden,
basswood, and other bee-attractive trees during bloom due to translocation to nectar.
Question 6
What is the primary mode of action of quinclorac for crabgrass control in turf?
A. Inhibition of acetolactate synthase (ALS)
B. Inhibition of auxin transport and cell wall synthesis in sensitive grasses
C. Inhibition of photosystem II
D. Inhibition of lipid synthesis (ACCase)
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Ornamentals and Turf
2. Plant Health Care and Diagnostic Skills
3. Pesticide Safety, Formulations, and Modes of Action
4. Environmental Fate and Groundwater Protection
5. Laws, Regulations, and Recordkeeping (NYSDEC Article 33, 6 NYCRR)
6. Application Equipment Calibration and Maintenance
7. Pollinator Protection and Endangered Species Compliance
8. Turfgrass and Ornamental Weed, Insect, and Disease Identification
9. Professional Ethics, Integrated Resistance Management, and Communication
Introduction
*This examination is designed to assess the competency of candidates seeking New York Category 3a
certification for commercial ornamental and turf pest control. It measures foundational knowledge of pest
biology, plant health care, and integrated pest management strategies. The test emphasizes real-world
application, regulatory compliance under NYSDEC rules, environmental stewardship, and ethical decision-
making. Questions include both direct multiple-choice items and scenario-based problems requiring critical
thinking. Candidates must demonstrate safe handling, proper calibration, and an understanding of pesticide
,modes of action. This assessment does not include memorized years or dates; instead, it focuses on enduring
professional standards and current best practices.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A landscaper finds white grubs damaging a client’s tall fescue lawn in late August. The grubs are small, C-
shaped, and have six legs. Which IPM action is most appropriate first step?
A. Apply a preventative neonicotinoid insecticide immediately
B. Confirm grub density by cutting three 1-ft² sod samples
C. Treat with chlorantraniliprole regardless of scouting results
D. Recommend complete lawn renovation and overseeding
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: IPM requires monitoring and action thresholds before treatment. Sampling confirms if grub
density exceeds turf tolerance (typically 5–10 grubs/ft²).
Question 2
Under NYSDEC regulations, what is the maximum fine for a first offense of applying a restricted-use pesticide
without a valid 3a certification?
A. 500B.1,000
C. 5, 000D.10,000
,🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: NY Environmental Conservation Law §33-1301 allows up to $5,000 for first violation of
restricted-use pesticide application without certification.
Question 3
A technician uses a boom sprayer at 30 psi with flat-fan nozzles. The desired output is 40 gallons per acre at 5
mph. Actual output is 50 gpa. What should the technician do to correct the rate?
A. Increase pressure to 50 psi
B. Decrease speed to 4 mph
C. Increase speed to 6.25 mph
D. Change to higher flow rate nozzles
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: GPA is inversely proportional to speed. New speed = (desired GPA / actual GPA) × original
speed = (40/50) × 5 = 4 mph? Wait recompute: Correct formula: speed2 = (GPA1 × speed1) / GPA2? No – GPA
= (flow rate) / (speed × width). To lower GPA, increase speed. 40/50 × 5 mph = 4 mph? That would lower speed,
which raises GPA. Mistake – recalc: Desired GPA 40, actual 50 → need less output per area → increase speed. 5
mph × (50/40) = 6.25 mph. Yes.
Question 4
Which pesticide formulation poses the greatest drift hazard for a turf applicator working near a vegetable
garden?
A. Microencapsulated (ME)
B. Water-dispersible granule (WDG)
, C. Emulsifiable concentrate (EC)
D. Granular (G)
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Microencapsulated formulations release active ingredient in small capsules that remain
airborne, drift readily, and can retain toxicity longer, posing off-target risk.
Question 5
A tree care firm applies a systemic neonicotinoid as a soil drench to a linden tree in full bloom. Honey bees are
foraging actively. This practice:
A. Is always legal in NY
B. Violates NY pollinator protection regulations if done during bloom
C. Is allowed only if using less than labeled rate
D. Is prohibited only for foliar sprays, not drenches
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: NY Environmental Conservation Law prohibits application of certain neonicotinoids to linden,
basswood, and other bee-attractive trees during bloom due to translocation to nectar.
Question 6
What is the primary mode of action of quinclorac for crabgrass control in turf?
A. Inhibition of acetolactate synthase (ALS)
B. Inhibition of auxin transport and cell wall synthesis in sensitive grasses
C. Inhibition of photosystem II
D. Inhibition of lipid synthesis (ACCase)
