Georgia Pesticide Exam – Category 24 (Ornamental and Turf
Pest Control) Actual Exam 2026/2027: Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Total questions: 50 multiple-choice, single best answer
Recommended time: 75 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes)
Difficulty distribution: Easy (20%), Moderate (65%), Difficult (15%)
Passing threshold: 70% (35 correct)
Exam Questions
Domain 1: Georgia Pesticide Laws and Regulations (12% – 6 questions)
1. A 42-year-old commercial applicator named James operates a lawn care business in
Macon, Georgia. He applies a restricted-use herbicide to a client's zoysiagrass lawn on
March 15. According to Georgia state regulations, how long must James maintain the
application record for this RUP application?
A. 1 year from the date of application
B. 2 years from the date of application
C. 3 years from the date of application
,D. 5 years from the date of application
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Georgia state regulations and the 1990 Farm Bill require certified private and
commercial applicators to maintain records of restricted-use pesticide applications for
2 years from the date of application. Choice A is incorrect because 1 year is insufficient
under both federal and state requirements. Choice C and D exceed the minimum
requirement but are not mandated. Georgia pesticide contractors must keep records of
ALL pesticide applications (RUP and general use), while commercial applicators not
operating under a contractor's license must keep records of RUP applications. (O.C.G.A.
§ 2-7-1 et seq.; UGA Extension Pesticide Regulations Chapter; 1990 Farm Bill
Recordkeeping Requirements)
2. A 35-year-old pesticide contractor named Maria runs a landscaping company in
Savannah. She hires an unlicensed employee to apply general-use insecticides to
ornamental shrubs under her direct supervision. A GDA inspector questions whether
this is permitted under Georgia law.
A. Maria can allow the unlicensed employee to apply general-use pesticides because
only RUP applications require a certified applicator.
B. Maria cannot allow the unlicensed employee to apply any pesticides because all
commercial applications require the applicator to hold a valid license.
C. Maria can allow the unlicensed employee to apply general-use pesticides under her
direct supervision, provided she is physically present and available.
D. Maria can allow the unlicensed employee to apply pesticides after the employee
completes a 30-day training period.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Under Georgia law, a certified applicator may supervise unlicensed persons
applying general-use pesticides, provided the certified applicator is physically present at
,the application site or immediately available by two-way radio or telephone. Choice A is
incorrect because the direct supervision requirement applies even to general-use
pesticides in commercial settings. Choice B is incorrect because it overstates the
requirement — direct supervision is permitted. Choice D is incorrect because Georgia
does not have a 30-day training grace period for pesticide application. Contractors must
ensure all supervised employees are trained and that the certified applicator remains
accountable. (O.C.G.A. § 2-7-1 et seq.; GDA Category 24 Study Manual)
3. A 48-year-old golf course superintendent named Robert in Augusta is applying a
fungicide near a school property. He checks the pesticide label and notes a 25-foot
buffer zone requirement. However, Georgia state regulations for this specific area
require a 50-foot buffer. What is Robert's legal obligation?
A. Robert must follow the federal label requirement of 25 feet because federal
regulations preempt state buffer zone rules.
B. Robert must follow the Georgia state requirement of 50 feet because applicators
must always comply with the most restrictive applicable regulation.
C. Robert can choose whichever buffer is more convenient for his application schedule.
D. Robert must contact the school principal to negotiate a mutually acceptable buffer
distance.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Pesticide applicators must comply with the most restrictive applicable
regulation, whether federal, state, or local — this is a fundamental principle of pesticide
law. Choice A is incorrect because federal regulations establish minimums, not
maximums, and do not preempt stricter state rules. Choice C is illegal and would result
in enforcement action. Choice D is inappropriate because buffer zones are regulatory
requirements, not negotiable terms. Georgia does not have statewide school buffer
zone requirements, but local ordinances may apply, and the label remains the legal
, document governing use. (O.C.G.A. § 2-7-1 et seq.; EPA Buffer Zone Guidance; GDA
Enforcement Policy)
4. A 38-year-old applicator named David in Albany is cited by the Georgia Department of
Agriculture for failing to post warning signs after applying a pesticide to a commercial
turf area. He argues that posting is only required for agricultural applications. What
does Georgia Rule Chapter 40-21-5 require?
A. Posting is required for all pesticide applications to turfgrass areas, including
commercial and residential lawns.
B. Posting is required for turfgrass areas treated with pesticides as part of a
commercial application, but not for homeowner applications.
C. Posting is only required for restricted-use pesticide applications, regardless of the
application setting.
D. Posting is never required for turfgrass applications in Georgia.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Georgia Rule Chapter 40-21-5 requires posting of treated turfgrass areas after
commercial pesticide applications, but this rule does not apply to homeowners applying
pesticides to their own property, public rights-of-way, or agricultural production areas.
Choice A is incorrect because homeowner applications are exempt. Choice C is
incorrect because posting applies to all pesticides in commercial turf applications, not
just RUPs. Choice D is incorrect because commercial applicators must post. The
posting requirement protects the public and workers from unintended exposure to
recently treated areas. (Georgia Rule Chapter 40-21-5; UGA Extension Turfgrass Pest
Control Recommendations)
5. A 52-year-old private applicator named Patricia owns a 50-acre sod farm in Tifton,
Georgia. She applies a restricted-use fungicide to her bermudagrass fields. Under the
Pest Control) Actual Exam 2026/2027: Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Total questions: 50 multiple-choice, single best answer
Recommended time: 75 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes)
Difficulty distribution: Easy (20%), Moderate (65%), Difficult (15%)
Passing threshold: 70% (35 correct)
Exam Questions
Domain 1: Georgia Pesticide Laws and Regulations (12% – 6 questions)
1. A 42-year-old commercial applicator named James operates a lawn care business in
Macon, Georgia. He applies a restricted-use herbicide to a client's zoysiagrass lawn on
March 15. According to Georgia state regulations, how long must James maintain the
application record for this RUP application?
A. 1 year from the date of application
B. 2 years from the date of application
C. 3 years from the date of application
,D. 5 years from the date of application
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Georgia state regulations and the 1990 Farm Bill require certified private and
commercial applicators to maintain records of restricted-use pesticide applications for
2 years from the date of application. Choice A is incorrect because 1 year is insufficient
under both federal and state requirements. Choice C and D exceed the minimum
requirement but are not mandated. Georgia pesticide contractors must keep records of
ALL pesticide applications (RUP and general use), while commercial applicators not
operating under a contractor's license must keep records of RUP applications. (O.C.G.A.
§ 2-7-1 et seq.; UGA Extension Pesticide Regulations Chapter; 1990 Farm Bill
Recordkeeping Requirements)
2. A 35-year-old pesticide contractor named Maria runs a landscaping company in
Savannah. She hires an unlicensed employee to apply general-use insecticides to
ornamental shrubs under her direct supervision. A GDA inspector questions whether
this is permitted under Georgia law.
A. Maria can allow the unlicensed employee to apply general-use pesticides because
only RUP applications require a certified applicator.
B. Maria cannot allow the unlicensed employee to apply any pesticides because all
commercial applications require the applicator to hold a valid license.
C. Maria can allow the unlicensed employee to apply general-use pesticides under her
direct supervision, provided she is physically present and available.
D. Maria can allow the unlicensed employee to apply pesticides after the employee
completes a 30-day training period.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Under Georgia law, a certified applicator may supervise unlicensed persons
applying general-use pesticides, provided the certified applicator is physically present at
,the application site or immediately available by two-way radio or telephone. Choice A is
incorrect because the direct supervision requirement applies even to general-use
pesticides in commercial settings. Choice B is incorrect because it overstates the
requirement — direct supervision is permitted. Choice D is incorrect because Georgia
does not have a 30-day training grace period for pesticide application. Contractors must
ensure all supervised employees are trained and that the certified applicator remains
accountable. (O.C.G.A. § 2-7-1 et seq.; GDA Category 24 Study Manual)
3. A 48-year-old golf course superintendent named Robert in Augusta is applying a
fungicide near a school property. He checks the pesticide label and notes a 25-foot
buffer zone requirement. However, Georgia state regulations for this specific area
require a 50-foot buffer. What is Robert's legal obligation?
A. Robert must follow the federal label requirement of 25 feet because federal
regulations preempt state buffer zone rules.
B. Robert must follow the Georgia state requirement of 50 feet because applicators
must always comply with the most restrictive applicable regulation.
C. Robert can choose whichever buffer is more convenient for his application schedule.
D. Robert must contact the school principal to negotiate a mutually acceptable buffer
distance.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Pesticide applicators must comply with the most restrictive applicable
regulation, whether federal, state, or local — this is a fundamental principle of pesticide
law. Choice A is incorrect because federal regulations establish minimums, not
maximums, and do not preempt stricter state rules. Choice C is illegal and would result
in enforcement action. Choice D is inappropriate because buffer zones are regulatory
requirements, not negotiable terms. Georgia does not have statewide school buffer
zone requirements, but local ordinances may apply, and the label remains the legal
, document governing use. (O.C.G.A. § 2-7-1 et seq.; EPA Buffer Zone Guidance; GDA
Enforcement Policy)
4. A 38-year-old applicator named David in Albany is cited by the Georgia Department of
Agriculture for failing to post warning signs after applying a pesticide to a commercial
turf area. He argues that posting is only required for agricultural applications. What
does Georgia Rule Chapter 40-21-5 require?
A. Posting is required for all pesticide applications to turfgrass areas, including
commercial and residential lawns.
B. Posting is required for turfgrass areas treated with pesticides as part of a
commercial application, but not for homeowner applications.
C. Posting is only required for restricted-use pesticide applications, regardless of the
application setting.
D. Posting is never required for turfgrass applications in Georgia.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Georgia Rule Chapter 40-21-5 requires posting of treated turfgrass areas after
commercial pesticide applications, but this rule does not apply to homeowners applying
pesticides to their own property, public rights-of-way, or agricultural production areas.
Choice A is incorrect because homeowner applications are exempt. Choice C is
incorrect because posting applies to all pesticides in commercial turf applications, not
just RUPs. Choice D is incorrect because commercial applicators must post. The
posting requirement protects the public and workers from unintended exposure to
recently treated areas. (Georgia Rule Chapter 40-21-5; UGA Extension Turfgrass Pest
Control Recommendations)
5. A 52-year-old private applicator named Patricia owns a 50-acre sod farm in Tifton,
Georgia. She applies a restricted-use fungicide to her bermudagrass fields. Under the
