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CA BRANCH 3 OPERATOR EXAM SPCB Manuals Practice Test |
2026 Guide Questions with Answers & Rationales
Question 1
Which license branch in California permits the control of
termites and other wood-destroying organisms?
A. Branch 1
B. Branch 2
C. Branch 3
D. Branch 4
Answer: C
Rationale: Branch 3 is the Termite and Wood Destroying
Organisms license, allowing inspection and treatment of wood-
destroying pests.
Question 2
Which of the following is a common subterranean termite
species in California?
A. Western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus)
B. Eastern subterranean termite only
C. Formosan termite only
D. Drywood termite only
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Answer: A
Rationale: The western subterranean termite is the most
common subterranean termite in California.
Question 3
Which of the following is a common drywood termite species in
California?
A. Incisitermes minor (western drywood termite)
B. Reticulitermes flavipes
C. Coptotermes formosanus
D. Zootermopsis angusticollis
Answer: A
Rationale: Incisitermes minor is a common drywood termite in
California.
Question 4
Which of the following is a key difference between
subterranean and drywood termites?
A. Subterranean termites require soil contact; drywood termites
live in wood without soil contact
B. Drywood termites require soil contact
C. Subterranean termites never build mud tubes
D. Drywood termites build mud tubes
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Answer: A
Rationale: Subterranean termites need soil moisture and build
mud tubes; drywood termites live entirely in wood and do not
require soil.
Question 5
What is a "mud tube" in termite biology?
A. A shelter tube built by subterranean termites from soil to
wood
B. A tube built by drywood termites
C. A type of fungus
D. A beetle gallery
Answer: A
Rationale: Subterranean termites build mud tubes for moisture
and protection while traveling from soil to wood.
Question 6
Which of the following is a sign of drywood termite infestation?
A. Six-sided fecal pellets (frass) and kick-out holes
B. Mud tubes on foundation
C. Large soil mounds
D. Swarming from soil
CA BRANCH 3 OPERATOR EXAM SPCB Manuals Practice Test |
2026 Guide Questions with Answers & Rationales
Question 1
Which license branch in California permits the control of
termites and other wood-destroying organisms?
A. Branch 1
B. Branch 2
C. Branch 3
D. Branch 4
Answer: C
Rationale: Branch 3 is the Termite and Wood Destroying
Organisms license, allowing inspection and treatment of wood-
destroying pests.
Question 2
Which of the following is a common subterranean termite
species in California?
A. Western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus)
B. Eastern subterranean termite only
C. Formosan termite only
D. Drywood termite only
, Page |2
Answer: A
Rationale: The western subterranean termite is the most
common subterranean termite in California.
Question 3
Which of the following is a common drywood termite species in
California?
A. Incisitermes minor (western drywood termite)
B. Reticulitermes flavipes
C. Coptotermes formosanus
D. Zootermopsis angusticollis
Answer: A
Rationale: Incisitermes minor is a common drywood termite in
California.
Question 4
Which of the following is a key difference between
subterranean and drywood termites?
A. Subterranean termites require soil contact; drywood termites
live in wood without soil contact
B. Drywood termites require soil contact
C. Subterranean termites never build mud tubes
D. Drywood termites build mud tubes
, Page |3
Answer: A
Rationale: Subterranean termites need soil moisture and build
mud tubes; drywood termites live entirely in wood and do not
require soil.
Question 5
What is a "mud tube" in termite biology?
A. A shelter tube built by subterranean termites from soil to
wood
B. A tube built by drywood termites
C. A type of fungus
D. A beetle gallery
Answer: A
Rationale: Subterranean termites build mud tubes for moisture
and protection while traveling from soil to wood.
Question 6
Which of the following is a sign of drywood termite infestation?
A. Six-sided fecal pellets (frass) and kick-out holes
B. Mud tubes on foundation
C. Large soil mounds
D. Swarming from soil
