1|Page
California Branch 2 (General Pest) Applicator Exam | Latest
Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION
This Comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the California
Branch 2 (General Pest) Applicator Exam, a closed-book, multiple-choice test
administered by PSI that evaluates a candidate's competency in identifying, safely
treating, and managing household pests (excluding fumigation). The content spans
California-specific pesticide laws and regulations enforced by the Department of
Pesticide Regulation and the Structural Pest Control Board, pesticide safety and
environmental protection, application equipment and formulation calculations, the
biology and habits of major structural and fabric pests, vertebrate pests including
commensal rodents and gophers, and the principles of Integrated Pest Management.
QUESTION 1
Which California agency is responsible for regulating pesticide sales and use, including
structural pest control?
A) California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
B) California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
C) Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB)
D) California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) oversees
all pesticide regulation, while the Structural Pest Control Board licenses individuals and
companies.
QUESTION 2
The Structural Pest Control Act in California is primarily enforced by the:
A) County Agricultural Commissioner
,2|Page
B) California Department of Pesticide Regulation
C) Structural Pest Control Board
D) Department of Consumer Affairs
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) licenses and regulates
structural pest control operators under the Structural Pest Control Act.
QUESTION 3
Under California law, a Branch 2 license allows the licensee to:
A) Perform fumigation
B) Control general household pests excluding fumigation
C) Apply restricted materials on agricultural land
D) Only inspect for wood-destroying organisms
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Branch 2 covers general pest control (household pests) without the
use of fumigants; fumigation requires a Branch 1 license.
QUESTION 4
The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 amended federal law to:
A) Ban all organophosphates
B) Set a single, health-based standard for pesticide residues in food, with special
protections for infants and children
C) Eliminate pesticide tolerances
D) Allow states to bypass EPA registration
CORRECT ANSWER: B
,3|Page
EXPERT RATIONALE: FQPA requires EPA to consider aggregate exposure and an
additional safety factor for children, establishing a reasonable certainty of no harm.
QUESTION 5
A pesticide label bears the signal word “DANGER” with a skull and crossbones. This
indicates the product is:
A) Highly toxic by skin absorption only
B) Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption
C) Moderately toxic
D) A restricted use pesticide regardless of toxicity
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: “DANGER” with skull and crossbones signals Category I acute
toxicity via any route; it means highly toxic.
QUESTION 6
Which federal law requires the EPA to register all pesticides sold in the United States?
A) Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
B) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
C) Endangered Species Act
D) Clean Water Act
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: FIFRA mandates that all pesticides be registered by EPA before
distribution or sale, based on a risk-benefit analysis.
QUESTION 7
In California, a “restricted material” pesticide may only be used by or under the
, 4|Page
supervision of a:
A) Licensed pest control business owner
B) Certified commercial applicator or qualified applicator with a permit
C) Homeowner who attended a training
D) Any Branch 2 licensee without additional requirements
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: California requires a certified applicator and often a restricted
materials permit from the county agricultural commissioner for restricted-use pesticides.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following is a California state-specific pesticide law requirement that goes
beyond federal FIFRA?
A) Pesticide registration by EPA
B) Mandatory pesticide use reporting for agricultural applications
C) Worker Protection Standard (WPS)
D) Labeling signal words
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: California’s pesticide use reporting (PUR) is a unique full-use
reporting system not mandated by federal law.
QUESTION 9
A structural pest control operator must provide a written inspection report and an
estimate to the customer:
A) Only if requested
B) Before starting any pest control work
California Branch 2 (General Pest) Applicator Exam | Latest
Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION
This Comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the California
Branch 2 (General Pest) Applicator Exam, a closed-book, multiple-choice test
administered by PSI that evaluates a candidate's competency in identifying, safely
treating, and managing household pests (excluding fumigation). The content spans
California-specific pesticide laws and regulations enforced by the Department of
Pesticide Regulation and the Structural Pest Control Board, pesticide safety and
environmental protection, application equipment and formulation calculations, the
biology and habits of major structural and fabric pests, vertebrate pests including
commensal rodents and gophers, and the principles of Integrated Pest Management.
QUESTION 1
Which California agency is responsible for regulating pesticide sales and use, including
structural pest control?
A) California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
B) California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
C) Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB)
D) California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) oversees
all pesticide regulation, while the Structural Pest Control Board licenses individuals and
companies.
QUESTION 2
The Structural Pest Control Act in California is primarily enforced by the:
A) County Agricultural Commissioner
,2|Page
B) California Department of Pesticide Regulation
C) Structural Pest Control Board
D) Department of Consumer Affairs
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) licenses and regulates
structural pest control operators under the Structural Pest Control Act.
QUESTION 3
Under California law, a Branch 2 license allows the licensee to:
A) Perform fumigation
B) Control general household pests excluding fumigation
C) Apply restricted materials on agricultural land
D) Only inspect for wood-destroying organisms
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Branch 2 covers general pest control (household pests) without the
use of fumigants; fumigation requires a Branch 1 license.
QUESTION 4
The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 amended federal law to:
A) Ban all organophosphates
B) Set a single, health-based standard for pesticide residues in food, with special
protections for infants and children
C) Eliminate pesticide tolerances
D) Allow states to bypass EPA registration
CORRECT ANSWER: B
,3|Page
EXPERT RATIONALE: FQPA requires EPA to consider aggregate exposure and an
additional safety factor for children, establishing a reasonable certainty of no harm.
QUESTION 5
A pesticide label bears the signal word “DANGER” with a skull and crossbones. This
indicates the product is:
A) Highly toxic by skin absorption only
B) Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption
C) Moderately toxic
D) A restricted use pesticide regardless of toxicity
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: “DANGER” with skull and crossbones signals Category I acute
toxicity via any route; it means highly toxic.
QUESTION 6
Which federal law requires the EPA to register all pesticides sold in the United States?
A) Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
B) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
C) Endangered Species Act
D) Clean Water Act
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: FIFRA mandates that all pesticides be registered by EPA before
distribution or sale, based on a risk-benefit analysis.
QUESTION 7
In California, a “restricted material” pesticide may only be used by or under the
, 4|Page
supervision of a:
A) Licensed pest control business owner
B) Certified commercial applicator or qualified applicator with a permit
C) Homeowner who attended a training
D) Any Branch 2 licensee without additional requirements
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: California requires a certified applicator and often a restricted
materials permit from the county agricultural commissioner for restricted-use pesticides.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following is a California state-specific pesticide law requirement that goes
beyond federal FIFRA?
A) Pesticide registration by EPA
B) Mandatory pesticide use reporting for agricultural applications
C) Worker Protection Standard (WPS)
D) Labeling signal words
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: California’s pesticide use reporting (PUR) is a unique full-use
reporting system not mandated by federal law.
QUESTION 9
A structural pest control operator must provide a written inspection report and an
estimate to the customer:
A) Only if requested
B) Before starting any pest control work
