Tennessee Category 7 Pesticide Applicator Exam 2026 –Verified
Questions & Answers with Detailed Explanations | TDA C07
Structural Pest Control Study Guide University of Tennessee
Prepare for the Tennessee Category 7 (C07) Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health-
Related Pest Control certification exam with multiple-choice questions covering laws, IPM, pest
identification, rodent control, formulations, safety, and calculations. Each question includes a
verified updated answer and a detailed rationale to support quick review, retention, and first-
time passing success. This organized digital study guide is ideal for Stuvia and Docsity buyers
seeking a concise, sale-ready Tennessee pesticide applicator exam resource.
1. Which federal agency is responsible for the enforcement of federal pesticide
laws and regulations?
A. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. National Pest Management Association (NPMA)
Answer: C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Explanation: The EPA is the federal agency that enforces pesticide laws and
regulations nationwide, including FIFRA and FEPCA. The TDA enforces state-level
regulations, while OSHA oversees workplace safety.
2. Which federal law requires the registration of all pesticides shipped in interstate
commerce?
A. FEPCA
B. FIFRA
C. OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
D. Endangered Species Act
Answer: B. FIFRA
Explanation: The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
mandates that all pesticides shipped in interstate commerce must be registered
with the EPA.
,3. Which law prohibits the use of any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent
with label directions?
A. FIFRA
B. FEPCA
C. TAPA
D. Clean Water Act
Answer: B. FEPCA
Explanation: The Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act (FEPCA) prohibits
the use of any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
4. Which state agency is solely responsible for regulating pesticide laws, issuing
applicator certifications, and enforcing compliance in Tennessee?
A. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
B. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
C. Tennessee Pest Control Board
D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4
Answer: B. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
Explanation: The TDA is the statutory lead agency responsible for enforcing the
Tennessee Application of Pesticides Act (TAPA), administering certification exams,
and executing compliance inspections.
5. The TDA certification and enforcement functions are coordinated primarily
through what division of TDA?
A. Consumer Protection Division
B. Regulatory Services Division
C. Environmental Division
D. Agricultural Division
Answer: B. Regulatory Services Division
Explanation: The TDA certification and enforcement functions are coordinated
primarily through the Regulatory Services Division.
6. How many members serve on the Tennessee Pest Control Board to advise the
Commissioner of Agriculture?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 12
,Answer: B. 7
Explanation: By Tennessee state statute, the Tennessee Pest Control Board consists
of 7 members appointed by the Governor to oversee qualifications, licensing, and
rules for the structural pest control industry.
7. Pesticides that may cause adverse effects on the environment and/or the
applicator, unless subject to additional regulatory restrictions, are classified as:
A. General-use pesticides
B. Restricted-use pesticides
C. Organic pesticides
D. Exempt pesticides
Answer: B. Restricted-use pesticides
Explanation: Restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) may cause adverse effects and can
only be purchased and applied by certified applicators or persons under their
direct supervision.
8. A certification period lasts for how many years?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C. 3 years
Explanation: Tennessee pesticide applicator certifications are valid for a period of
3 years, after which recertification requirements must be met.
9. One may earn up to what percentage in-house points in the recertification
program?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 100%
Answer: B. 50%
Explanation: Recertification points may be earned through in-house training
programs, but these cannot exceed 50% of the total required points.
10. How many recertification points are required for Category 7 in a 3-year period?
A. 10 points
B. 20 points
, C. 30 points
D. 45 points
Answer: C. 30 points
Explanation: Category 7 applicators must earn 30 recertification points within the
3-year certification period to maintain their credential.
11. If an applicator's certification expires and they fail to earn the required
recertification points within the 3-year window, what must they do to legally
work?
A. Pay a late fee and continue operating
B. Reapply for certification by retaking the commercial exam
C. Work under a licensed technician's direct supervision indefinitely
D. Submit a written appeal to the Governor
Answer: B. Reapply for certification by retaking the commercial exam
Explanation: Failing to meet recertification credit thresholds automatically
invalidates the credential, forcing the applicator to undergo the full examination
process again to re-qualify.
12. Any commercial applicator who violates any provision of FIFRA may be
assessed a civil penalty of not more than:
A. $1,000
B. $5,000
C. $10,000
D. $25,000
Answer: B. $5,000**
**Explanation: Under FIFRA, commercial applicators who violate provisions may be
assessed a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense.
13. What is the minimum required amount of General Liability Insurance coverage
a pest control company must maintain to operate under a Tennessee charter?
A. $100,000
B. $250,000
C. $500,000
D. $1,000,000
Answer: B. $250,000**
**Explanation: To maintain a valid commercial pest control charter in Tennessee,
businesses must carry at least $250,000 in general liability insurance.
Questions & Answers with Detailed Explanations | TDA C07
Structural Pest Control Study Guide University of Tennessee
Prepare for the Tennessee Category 7 (C07) Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health-
Related Pest Control certification exam with multiple-choice questions covering laws, IPM, pest
identification, rodent control, formulations, safety, and calculations. Each question includes a
verified updated answer and a detailed rationale to support quick review, retention, and first-
time passing success. This organized digital study guide is ideal for Stuvia and Docsity buyers
seeking a concise, sale-ready Tennessee pesticide applicator exam resource.
1. Which federal agency is responsible for the enforcement of federal pesticide
laws and regulations?
A. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. National Pest Management Association (NPMA)
Answer: C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Explanation: The EPA is the federal agency that enforces pesticide laws and
regulations nationwide, including FIFRA and FEPCA. The TDA enforces state-level
regulations, while OSHA oversees workplace safety.
2. Which federal law requires the registration of all pesticides shipped in interstate
commerce?
A. FEPCA
B. FIFRA
C. OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
D. Endangered Species Act
Answer: B. FIFRA
Explanation: The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
mandates that all pesticides shipped in interstate commerce must be registered
with the EPA.
,3. Which law prohibits the use of any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent
with label directions?
A. FIFRA
B. FEPCA
C. TAPA
D. Clean Water Act
Answer: B. FEPCA
Explanation: The Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act (FEPCA) prohibits
the use of any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
4. Which state agency is solely responsible for regulating pesticide laws, issuing
applicator certifications, and enforcing compliance in Tennessee?
A. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
B. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
C. Tennessee Pest Control Board
D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4
Answer: B. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
Explanation: The TDA is the statutory lead agency responsible for enforcing the
Tennessee Application of Pesticides Act (TAPA), administering certification exams,
and executing compliance inspections.
5. The TDA certification and enforcement functions are coordinated primarily
through what division of TDA?
A. Consumer Protection Division
B. Regulatory Services Division
C. Environmental Division
D. Agricultural Division
Answer: B. Regulatory Services Division
Explanation: The TDA certification and enforcement functions are coordinated
primarily through the Regulatory Services Division.
6. How many members serve on the Tennessee Pest Control Board to advise the
Commissioner of Agriculture?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 12
,Answer: B. 7
Explanation: By Tennessee state statute, the Tennessee Pest Control Board consists
of 7 members appointed by the Governor to oversee qualifications, licensing, and
rules for the structural pest control industry.
7. Pesticides that may cause adverse effects on the environment and/or the
applicator, unless subject to additional regulatory restrictions, are classified as:
A. General-use pesticides
B. Restricted-use pesticides
C. Organic pesticides
D. Exempt pesticides
Answer: B. Restricted-use pesticides
Explanation: Restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) may cause adverse effects and can
only be purchased and applied by certified applicators or persons under their
direct supervision.
8. A certification period lasts for how many years?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C. 3 years
Explanation: Tennessee pesticide applicator certifications are valid for a period of
3 years, after which recertification requirements must be met.
9. One may earn up to what percentage in-house points in the recertification
program?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 100%
Answer: B. 50%
Explanation: Recertification points may be earned through in-house training
programs, but these cannot exceed 50% of the total required points.
10. How many recertification points are required for Category 7 in a 3-year period?
A. 10 points
B. 20 points
, C. 30 points
D. 45 points
Answer: C. 30 points
Explanation: Category 7 applicators must earn 30 recertification points within the
3-year certification period to maintain their credential.
11. If an applicator's certification expires and they fail to earn the required
recertification points within the 3-year window, what must they do to legally
work?
A. Pay a late fee and continue operating
B. Reapply for certification by retaking the commercial exam
C. Work under a licensed technician's direct supervision indefinitely
D. Submit a written appeal to the Governor
Answer: B. Reapply for certification by retaking the commercial exam
Explanation: Failing to meet recertification credit thresholds automatically
invalidates the credential, forcing the applicator to undergo the full examination
process again to re-qualify.
12. Any commercial applicator who violates any provision of FIFRA may be
assessed a civil penalty of not more than:
A. $1,000
B. $5,000
C. $10,000
D. $25,000
Answer: B. $5,000**
**Explanation: Under FIFRA, commercial applicators who violate provisions may be
assessed a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense.
13. What is the minimum required amount of General Liability Insurance coverage
a pest control company must maintain to operate under a Tennessee charter?
A. $100,000
B. $250,000
C. $500,000
D. $1,000,000
Answer: B. $250,000**
**Explanation: To maintain a valid commercial pest control charter in Tennessee,
businesses must carry at least $250,000 in general liability insurance.
