ILLINOIS COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR GENERAL
STANDARDS (CORE) EXAMINATION - 300 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND LICENSING (Questions 1-45)
1. What is the primary purpose of the Illinois Pesticide Act?
A. To regulate all chemical products sold in Illinois
B. To prevent harm to humans, animals, and the environment from pesticides
C. To promote sales of pesticides to licensed applicators
D. To monitor pesticide imports into Illinois
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Illinois Pesticide Act establishes regulations to ensure that
pesticide use is safe, effective, and protective of human health, non-target
organisms, and the environment.
2. Under the Illinois Pesticide Act (415 ILCS 60), which agency administers the
pesticide applicator certification program in Illinois?
A. Illinois Environmental Quality Board
B. Illinois Department of Agriculture
C. Illinois Department of Public Health
D. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers the pesticide
applicator certification and licensing program in Illinois, enforcing both state and
federal pesticide laws.
3. Which government agency enforces federal pesticide regulations in the U.S.?
A. FDA
B. OSHA
C. EPA
D. USDA
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticide
registration, labeling, and safe use standards under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
4. What minimum passing score is required on the Illinois Department of
Agriculture General Standards (core) exam?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Illinois requires a minimum passing score of 70% on pesticide exams.
The General Standards (core) exam has 100 questions and requires 70 or more
correct.
5. How many questions are on the Illinois General Standards (core) exam?
A. 50
B. 75
C. 100
D. 150
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The General Standards exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.
6. How long is certification valid in Illinois before an applicator/operator must
retest?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each exam is valid for a period of up to 3 years, as long as annual
renewal forms are submitted.
7. What is the fee for an Illinois commercial pesticide applicator (for-hire) license,
which is valid for 3 years?
, A. Free of charge
B. $300 for the 3-year license
C. $500 per year
D. $1,000 per year
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Illinois commercial applicator licenses are issued for 3 years, and the
for-hire commercial applicator license fee is $300. A commercial not-for-hire
applicator license is $180.
8. Under FIFRA, what is a restricted-use pesticide (RUP)?
A. Any organic pesticide
B. A pesticide classified by EPA as requiring certification due to potential harm to
applicators or environment
C. A pesticide that has been recalled
D. Any pesticide used in agriculture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under FIFRA, a restricted-use pesticide (RUP) has been classified by
EPA as potentially harmful to applicators or the environment even when used as
directed. RUPs may only be purchased and applied by or under the direct
supervision of a certified applicator.
9. Who can purchase restricted-use pesticides?
A. Any person over 18 years old
B. Certified applicators or persons under their direct supervision
STANDARDS (CORE) EXAMINATION - 300 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND LICENSING (Questions 1-45)
1. What is the primary purpose of the Illinois Pesticide Act?
A. To regulate all chemical products sold in Illinois
B. To prevent harm to humans, animals, and the environment from pesticides
C. To promote sales of pesticides to licensed applicators
D. To monitor pesticide imports into Illinois
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Illinois Pesticide Act establishes regulations to ensure that
pesticide use is safe, effective, and protective of human health, non-target
organisms, and the environment.
2. Under the Illinois Pesticide Act (415 ILCS 60), which agency administers the
pesticide applicator certification program in Illinois?
A. Illinois Environmental Quality Board
B. Illinois Department of Agriculture
C. Illinois Department of Public Health
D. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers the pesticide
applicator certification and licensing program in Illinois, enforcing both state and
federal pesticide laws.
3. Which government agency enforces federal pesticide regulations in the U.S.?
A. FDA
B. OSHA
C. EPA
D. USDA
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticide
registration, labeling, and safe use standards under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
4. What minimum passing score is required on the Illinois Department of
Agriculture General Standards (core) exam?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Illinois requires a minimum passing score of 70% on pesticide exams.
The General Standards (core) exam has 100 questions and requires 70 or more
correct.
5. How many questions are on the Illinois General Standards (core) exam?
A. 50
B. 75
C. 100
D. 150
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The General Standards exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.
6. How long is certification valid in Illinois before an applicator/operator must
retest?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each exam is valid for a period of up to 3 years, as long as annual
renewal forms are submitted.
7. What is the fee for an Illinois commercial pesticide applicator (for-hire) license,
which is valid for 3 years?
, A. Free of charge
B. $300 for the 3-year license
C. $500 per year
D. $1,000 per year
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Illinois commercial applicator licenses are issued for 3 years, and the
for-hire commercial applicator license fee is $300. A commercial not-for-hire
applicator license is $180.
8. Under FIFRA, what is a restricted-use pesticide (RUP)?
A. Any organic pesticide
B. A pesticide classified by EPA as requiring certification due to potential harm to
applicators or environment
C. A pesticide that has been recalled
D. Any pesticide used in agriculture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under FIFRA, a restricted-use pesticide (RUP) has been classified by
EPA as potentially harmful to applicators or the environment even when used as
directed. RUPs may only be purchased and applied by or under the direct
supervision of a certified applicator.
9. Who can purchase restricted-use pesticides?
A. Any person over 18 years old
B. Certified applicators or persons under their direct supervision
