MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Exam 2026– Complete
Question Bank with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
(100% Verified Correct Answers and Explanations) | Latest
Updated Edition 2026/2027 – Already Graded A+
Question 1
Which application method involves uniformly applying a pesticide to an entire area or field?
A. Crack and crevice
B. Broadcast
C. Integrated pest management
D. Suppression
Answer: B
Rationale: Broadcast application is the uniform application of a pesticide over an entire area or
field.
Question 2
An oncogen is:
A. A substance that repairs damaged tissue
B. A substance that prevents tumor formation
C. A substance that can cause tumor formation; the tumor may or may not be cancerous
D. A substance that inhibits tumor growth
Answer: C
Rationale: An oncogen is a substance that can cause tumor formation, which may be benign or
malignant.
Question 3
The name "X-Pest 5G" on a pesticide label indicates:
A. Granular pesticide with 5% active ingredient
B. Granular pesticide with 5% inert ingredients
C. Gel pesticide with 5% active ingredient
D. Liquid pesticide with 5% active ingredient
Answer: A
Rationale: The "G" indicates granular formulation, and "5" indicates 5% active ingredient.
Question 4
The first step in developing a security program is to:
A. Train employees on security protocols
B. Conduct a risk assessment of your business or farm's vulnerabilities
pg. 1
,C. Implement a new security technology
D. Install additional surveillance cameras
Answer: B
Rationale: Conducting a risk assessment is the first step to identify vulnerabilities before
implementing security measures.
Question 5
Which statement about pesticide toxicity is true?
A. A pesticide with an oral LD50 of 5 mg/kg is more toxic than a pesticide with an LD50 of 250
mg/kg
B. Manufacturers are not required to include chronic toxicity warning statements on product
labels
C. The signal word on the product label indicates how likely the product is to cause both acute
and chronic toxic effects
D. All of the above
Answer: A
Rationale: Lower LD50 values indicate higher toxicity. 5 mg/kg is more toxic than 250 mg/kg.
Question 6
Which is considered a good security practice?
A. Instruct employees on pesticide inventory control
B. Allow employees access to inventory
C. Back up confidential data daily and keep it at the facility
D. All of the above
Answer: A
Rationale: Instructing employees on inventory control is a good security practice to prevent
theft and misuse.
Question 7
Which of the following are characteristic of a pesticide in toxicity category II (moderately
toxic)? (Select all that apply.)
A. CAUTION signal word
B. 1 teaspoon to 1 ounce = approximate lethal oral dose for a 150-pound person
C. Severe skin irritation
D. Eye irritation reversible within 7 days
E. WARNING signal word
Answer: B, C, D, E
Rationale: Toxicity Category II uses WARNING, has lethal dose of 1 tsp-1 oz, severe skin
irritation, and eye irritation reversible within 7 days.
pg. 2
,Question 8
Which statement about movement of pesticides from the application site is true?
A. Drift is seldom an issue with indoor applications
B. Runoff and erosion are sources of surface water contamination by pesticides
C. Leaching is the main way that pesticides move great distances
D. All of the above
Answer: B
Rationale: Runoff and erosion are major sources of surface water contamination by pesticides.
Question 9
All records shall contain the following: (Select all that apply.)
A. The name and concentration of the pesticide applied and the EPA registration number
B. The amount of pesticide applied
C. The target pest or purpose
D. The date the pesticide was applied
E. The address or location of pesticide application
F. Where applicable, the method and rate of application
Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F
Rationale: All of these are required for pesticide record keeping per Michigan regulations.
Question 10
Which is the pesticide formulation process by which solid particles are dispersed in a liquid?
A. Solute
B. Pellet
C. Suspension
D. Solvent
Answer: C
Rationale: Suspension is the dispersion of solid particles in a liquid medium.
Question 11
Pesticide residues are absorbed through the skin at relatively the same rate on different parts of
the body. (True or False?)
A. True
B. False
Answer: False
Rationale: Absorption rates vary by body part; the scalp, ear canal, and forehead absorb more
readily.
Question 12
Which of the following criteria is used by EPA in establishing pesticide tolerances?
pg. 3
, A. Research data completely independent of the pesticide manufacturer
B. The anticipated volume of product to be sold in any given year
C. The toxicity of the pesticide and its breakdown products
D. The cost of production
Answer: C
Rationale: Tolerances are based on the toxicity of the pesticide and its breakdown products to
ensure safety.
Question 13
A pesticide use bulletin for protection of endangered species may contain limitations on certain
pesticide applications in an area where an endangered species habitat exists. (True or False?)
A. True
B. False
Answer: True
Rationale: Endangered species bulletins restrict pesticide use in habitats to protect endangered
species.
Question 14
Toxicity from repeated exposures to a pesticide over a period of time is called ______. Toxicity
from one exposure is ______.
A. Chronic; Acute
B. Immediate; Persistent
C. Subchronic; Delayed
D. Delayed; Immediate
Answer: A
Rationale: Chronic toxicity results from repeated exposures over time; acute toxicity results
from a single exposure.
Question 15
What is the environment?
A. Environment is only the natural elements like forests, rivers, and mountains
B. Environment is exclusively the man-made structures such as cities and roads
C. Environment is just the climate and weather patterns around us
D. Environment is everything that surrounds us - indoors and outdoors - including natural
elements, man-made objects, people and other living organisms
Answer: D
Rationale: The environment includes all surroundings, both natural and man-made.
Question 16
When 2 or more pesticides mixed together form a putty or paste, separate into layers, or look like
pg. 4
Question Bank with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
(100% Verified Correct Answers and Explanations) | Latest
Updated Edition 2026/2027 – Already Graded A+
Question 1
Which application method involves uniformly applying a pesticide to an entire area or field?
A. Crack and crevice
B. Broadcast
C. Integrated pest management
D. Suppression
Answer: B
Rationale: Broadcast application is the uniform application of a pesticide over an entire area or
field.
Question 2
An oncogen is:
A. A substance that repairs damaged tissue
B. A substance that prevents tumor formation
C. A substance that can cause tumor formation; the tumor may or may not be cancerous
D. A substance that inhibits tumor growth
Answer: C
Rationale: An oncogen is a substance that can cause tumor formation, which may be benign or
malignant.
Question 3
The name "X-Pest 5G" on a pesticide label indicates:
A. Granular pesticide with 5% active ingredient
B. Granular pesticide with 5% inert ingredients
C. Gel pesticide with 5% active ingredient
D. Liquid pesticide with 5% active ingredient
Answer: A
Rationale: The "G" indicates granular formulation, and "5" indicates 5% active ingredient.
Question 4
The first step in developing a security program is to:
A. Train employees on security protocols
B. Conduct a risk assessment of your business or farm's vulnerabilities
pg. 1
,C. Implement a new security technology
D. Install additional surveillance cameras
Answer: B
Rationale: Conducting a risk assessment is the first step to identify vulnerabilities before
implementing security measures.
Question 5
Which statement about pesticide toxicity is true?
A. A pesticide with an oral LD50 of 5 mg/kg is more toxic than a pesticide with an LD50 of 250
mg/kg
B. Manufacturers are not required to include chronic toxicity warning statements on product
labels
C. The signal word on the product label indicates how likely the product is to cause both acute
and chronic toxic effects
D. All of the above
Answer: A
Rationale: Lower LD50 values indicate higher toxicity. 5 mg/kg is more toxic than 250 mg/kg.
Question 6
Which is considered a good security practice?
A. Instruct employees on pesticide inventory control
B. Allow employees access to inventory
C. Back up confidential data daily and keep it at the facility
D. All of the above
Answer: A
Rationale: Instructing employees on inventory control is a good security practice to prevent
theft and misuse.
Question 7
Which of the following are characteristic of a pesticide in toxicity category II (moderately
toxic)? (Select all that apply.)
A. CAUTION signal word
B. 1 teaspoon to 1 ounce = approximate lethal oral dose for a 150-pound person
C. Severe skin irritation
D. Eye irritation reversible within 7 days
E. WARNING signal word
Answer: B, C, D, E
Rationale: Toxicity Category II uses WARNING, has lethal dose of 1 tsp-1 oz, severe skin
irritation, and eye irritation reversible within 7 days.
pg. 2
,Question 8
Which statement about movement of pesticides from the application site is true?
A. Drift is seldom an issue with indoor applications
B. Runoff and erosion are sources of surface water contamination by pesticides
C. Leaching is the main way that pesticides move great distances
D. All of the above
Answer: B
Rationale: Runoff and erosion are major sources of surface water contamination by pesticides.
Question 9
All records shall contain the following: (Select all that apply.)
A. The name and concentration of the pesticide applied and the EPA registration number
B. The amount of pesticide applied
C. The target pest or purpose
D. The date the pesticide was applied
E. The address or location of pesticide application
F. Where applicable, the method and rate of application
Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F
Rationale: All of these are required for pesticide record keeping per Michigan regulations.
Question 10
Which is the pesticide formulation process by which solid particles are dispersed in a liquid?
A. Solute
B. Pellet
C. Suspension
D. Solvent
Answer: C
Rationale: Suspension is the dispersion of solid particles in a liquid medium.
Question 11
Pesticide residues are absorbed through the skin at relatively the same rate on different parts of
the body. (True or False?)
A. True
B. False
Answer: False
Rationale: Absorption rates vary by body part; the scalp, ear canal, and forehead absorb more
readily.
Question 12
Which of the following criteria is used by EPA in establishing pesticide tolerances?
pg. 3
, A. Research data completely independent of the pesticide manufacturer
B. The anticipated volume of product to be sold in any given year
C. The toxicity of the pesticide and its breakdown products
D. The cost of production
Answer: C
Rationale: Tolerances are based on the toxicity of the pesticide and its breakdown products to
ensure safety.
Question 13
A pesticide use bulletin for protection of endangered species may contain limitations on certain
pesticide applications in an area where an endangered species habitat exists. (True or False?)
A. True
B. False
Answer: True
Rationale: Endangered species bulletins restrict pesticide use in habitats to protect endangered
species.
Question 14
Toxicity from repeated exposures to a pesticide over a period of time is called ______. Toxicity
from one exposure is ______.
A. Chronic; Acute
B. Immediate; Persistent
C. Subchronic; Delayed
D. Delayed; Immediate
Answer: A
Rationale: Chronic toxicity results from repeated exposures over time; acute toxicity results
from a single exposure.
Question 15
What is the environment?
A. Environment is only the natural elements like forests, rivers, and mountains
B. Environment is exclusively the man-made structures such as cities and roads
C. Environment is just the climate and weather patterns around us
D. Environment is everything that surrounds us - indoors and outdoors - including natural
elements, man-made objects, people and other living organisms
Answer: D
Rationale: The environment includes all surroundings, both natural and man-made.
Question 16
When 2 or more pesticides mixed together form a putty or paste, separate into layers, or look like
pg. 4
