New Hampshire Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam — 200 Practice
Questions with Answers and Rationales (2025/2026)
SECTION 1: FEDERAL AND NEW HAMPSHIRE PESTICIDE LAWS (Questions 1–40)
1. Which federal act specifically governs the registration, labeling, and distribution of pesticides in the
United States?
A) Clean Water Act
B) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
C) Toxic Substances Control Act
D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: B
Rationale: FIFRA is the primary federal law requiring all pesticides to be registered with the EPA and
mandating labeling requirements.
2. Under FIFRA, what is the legal definition of a pesticide?
A) Only insecticides and herbicides
B) Any substance or mixture intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any pest
C) Synthetic chemicals only
D) Chemicals derived from natural sources only
Answer: B
Rationale: The legal definition includes any substance used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any
pest.
3. What is the primary purpose of the EPA registration number on a pesticide label?
A) Shows expiration date
B) Identifies the product and its manufacturer
C) Indicates toxicity level
D) Identifies the dealer
Answer: B
Rationale: The EPA registration number provides unique identification of the pesticide product.
4. Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) can be purchased and applied by:
A) Anyone over 18 years old
B) Certified applicators or those under their direct supervision
C) Only government agencies
D) Retail employees
Answer: B
Rationale: RUPs require certification due to higher risk to humans or the environment.
5. What is the role of the EPA in pesticide regulation?
A) Registering pesticides and enforcing FIFRA
B) Setting maximum residue limits on food
C) Approving state certification plans
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The EPA registers pesticides, enforces FIFRA, sets tolerances, and approves state plans.
6. Under FIFRA, a "restricted use pesticide" is one that:
,A) May only be used in certain areas
B) May harm people or the environment if not used correctly
C) May be purchased and used only by certified applicators
D) Both B and C
Answer: D
Rationale: RUPs are classified because they may cause harm and are limited to certified applicators or
those under their supervision.
7. In New Hampshire, which licensure tier allows an applicator to apply pesticides on their own farm but
not for compensation?
A) Private "For Hire"
B) Commercial "Not For Hire"
C) Private "Not For Hire"
D) Commercial "For Hire"
Answer: C
Rationale: Private "Not For Hire" applicators are limited to pesticide use on their own property without
receiving payment.
8. According to NH RSA 430:33, what is required before engaging in commercial pesticide application?
A) A valid certificate of registration issued by the division
B) A federal license only
C) A business permit from the town
D) A letter of recommendation
Answer: A
Rationale: No person shall engage in commercial application of pesticides without a valid certificate of
registration issued by the division.
9. What annual fee does NH charge for a commercial or private applicator registration?
A) $10
B) $20
C) $50
D) $100
Answer: B
Rationale: An annual application for a certificate of registration with a fee of $20 shall be collected for
each commercial or private applicator registration, except for nonprofit or governmental entities.
10. How often must a New Hampshire pesticide license be renewed?
A) Every 6 months
B) Annually on June 1st
C) Every 2 years on January 1st
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: NH pesticide licenses expire each year on June 1st and must be renewed before that date.
11. What is the "Crew" rule in NH pesticide regulations?
A) Workers within 30 feet of each other while using pesticide equipment
B) A group of 5 or more applicators
C) All employees of a company
D) Workers in the same building
Answer: A
,Rationale: A crew is defined as workers who are within speaking distance, generally considered 30 feet,
when operating the same equipment.
12. Which of the following is NOT a required component of the daily use report for NH pesticide
applicators?
A) Date of application
B) Weather forecast for the next 48 hours
C) Product name and EPA registration number
D) Area treated (in acres)
Answer: B
Rationale: The daily use report must include date, product, registration number, and area treated — but
not a weather forecast.
13. Under NH regulations, what must be submitted with an application for renewal of a certificate of
registration?
A) A new exam score
B) Operational records for the preceding calendar year
C) A physician's statement
D) Proof of insurance only
Answer: B
Rationale: Operational records for the preceding calendar year shall be submitted by an applicant for
renewal.
14. What authority does the NH Division of Pesticide Control have over a registration certificate?
A) It may suspend, revoke, or modify the certificate after a hearing
B) It may only issue new certificates
C) It has no disciplinary authority
D) It may only issue warnings
Answer: A
Rationale: The division may suspend, revoke, or modify any certificate after opportunity for a hearing if
the holder is no longer qualified or has violated provisions.
15. What is the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) designed to do?
A) Reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers and handlers
B) Regulate pesticide sales
C) Set food residue tolerances
D) License pesticide dealers
Answer: A
Rationale: The WPS was written by the U.S. EPA to reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning among
agricultural workers and pesticide handlers.
16. Under the WPS, what is the minimum restricted-entry interval (REI) for most agricultural pesticides
unless the label specifies longer?
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 48 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: WPS requires a minimum 8-hour REI for most agricultural pesticides unless the label
specifies a longer period.
, 17. Under the WPS, who is considered a "pesticide handler"?
A) Anyone who mixes, loads, or applies pesticides
B) Only certified applicators
C) Only farm owners
D) Only pesticide dealers
Answer: A
Rationale: Handlers include people who mix, load, or apply pesticides, as well as those who perform
other handler tasks.
18. What information must be provided at a central location under the WPS?
A) Safety data sheets, application information, and emergency contact
B) Only the pesticide label
C) Only the REI
D) Only the applicator's name
Answer: A
Rationale: WPS requires specific information to be displayed at a central location for workers and
handlers.
19. Under the WPS, how often must workers receive pesticide safety training?
A) Every 5 years
B) Every 12 months
C) Every 2 years
D) Only once
Answer: B
Rationale: WPS requires workers and handlers to be trained every 12 months.
20. What is the "Application Exclusion Zone" (AEZ) under the WPS?
A) An area where no workers may be present during pesticide application
B) A buffer zone for groundwater protection
C) A zone where re-entry is always allowed
D) A zone for storage only
Answer: A
Rationale: The AEZ is the area surrounding the application equipment where no workers are allowed
during application.
21. What is the purpose of the NH Pesticide Control Board?
A) To establish rules for pesticide use and certification
B) To sell pesticides
C) To grow crops
D) To provide medical care
Answer: A
Rationale: The board establishes rules for eligibility, use of certificates, and standards for pesticide
application.
22. What must a NH pesticide dealer do regarding "Prohibited-limited use" or "restricted" pesticides?
A) Not display them for self-service
B) Sell them to anyone
C) Display them prominently
D) Store them outdoors
Answer: A
Rationale: Dealers shall not display for self-service any "Prohibited-limited use" or "restricted" pesticides.
Questions with Answers and Rationales (2025/2026)
SECTION 1: FEDERAL AND NEW HAMPSHIRE PESTICIDE LAWS (Questions 1–40)
1. Which federal act specifically governs the registration, labeling, and distribution of pesticides in the
United States?
A) Clean Water Act
B) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
C) Toxic Substances Control Act
D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: B
Rationale: FIFRA is the primary federal law requiring all pesticides to be registered with the EPA and
mandating labeling requirements.
2. Under FIFRA, what is the legal definition of a pesticide?
A) Only insecticides and herbicides
B) Any substance or mixture intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any pest
C) Synthetic chemicals only
D) Chemicals derived from natural sources only
Answer: B
Rationale: The legal definition includes any substance used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any
pest.
3. What is the primary purpose of the EPA registration number on a pesticide label?
A) Shows expiration date
B) Identifies the product and its manufacturer
C) Indicates toxicity level
D) Identifies the dealer
Answer: B
Rationale: The EPA registration number provides unique identification of the pesticide product.
4. Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) can be purchased and applied by:
A) Anyone over 18 years old
B) Certified applicators or those under their direct supervision
C) Only government agencies
D) Retail employees
Answer: B
Rationale: RUPs require certification due to higher risk to humans or the environment.
5. What is the role of the EPA in pesticide regulation?
A) Registering pesticides and enforcing FIFRA
B) Setting maximum residue limits on food
C) Approving state certification plans
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The EPA registers pesticides, enforces FIFRA, sets tolerances, and approves state plans.
6. Under FIFRA, a "restricted use pesticide" is one that:
,A) May only be used in certain areas
B) May harm people or the environment if not used correctly
C) May be purchased and used only by certified applicators
D) Both B and C
Answer: D
Rationale: RUPs are classified because they may cause harm and are limited to certified applicators or
those under their supervision.
7. In New Hampshire, which licensure tier allows an applicator to apply pesticides on their own farm but
not for compensation?
A) Private "For Hire"
B) Commercial "Not For Hire"
C) Private "Not For Hire"
D) Commercial "For Hire"
Answer: C
Rationale: Private "Not For Hire" applicators are limited to pesticide use on their own property without
receiving payment.
8. According to NH RSA 430:33, what is required before engaging in commercial pesticide application?
A) A valid certificate of registration issued by the division
B) A federal license only
C) A business permit from the town
D) A letter of recommendation
Answer: A
Rationale: No person shall engage in commercial application of pesticides without a valid certificate of
registration issued by the division.
9. What annual fee does NH charge for a commercial or private applicator registration?
A) $10
B) $20
C) $50
D) $100
Answer: B
Rationale: An annual application for a certificate of registration with a fee of $20 shall be collected for
each commercial or private applicator registration, except for nonprofit or governmental entities.
10. How often must a New Hampshire pesticide license be renewed?
A) Every 6 months
B) Annually on June 1st
C) Every 2 years on January 1st
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: NH pesticide licenses expire each year on June 1st and must be renewed before that date.
11. What is the "Crew" rule in NH pesticide regulations?
A) Workers within 30 feet of each other while using pesticide equipment
B) A group of 5 or more applicators
C) All employees of a company
D) Workers in the same building
Answer: A
,Rationale: A crew is defined as workers who are within speaking distance, generally considered 30 feet,
when operating the same equipment.
12. Which of the following is NOT a required component of the daily use report for NH pesticide
applicators?
A) Date of application
B) Weather forecast for the next 48 hours
C) Product name and EPA registration number
D) Area treated (in acres)
Answer: B
Rationale: The daily use report must include date, product, registration number, and area treated — but
not a weather forecast.
13. Under NH regulations, what must be submitted with an application for renewal of a certificate of
registration?
A) A new exam score
B) Operational records for the preceding calendar year
C) A physician's statement
D) Proof of insurance only
Answer: B
Rationale: Operational records for the preceding calendar year shall be submitted by an applicant for
renewal.
14. What authority does the NH Division of Pesticide Control have over a registration certificate?
A) It may suspend, revoke, or modify the certificate after a hearing
B) It may only issue new certificates
C) It has no disciplinary authority
D) It may only issue warnings
Answer: A
Rationale: The division may suspend, revoke, or modify any certificate after opportunity for a hearing if
the holder is no longer qualified or has violated provisions.
15. What is the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) designed to do?
A) Reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers and handlers
B) Regulate pesticide sales
C) Set food residue tolerances
D) License pesticide dealers
Answer: A
Rationale: The WPS was written by the U.S. EPA to reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning among
agricultural workers and pesticide handlers.
16. Under the WPS, what is the minimum restricted-entry interval (REI) for most agricultural pesticides
unless the label specifies longer?
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 48 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: WPS requires a minimum 8-hour REI for most agricultural pesticides unless the label
specifies a longer period.
, 17. Under the WPS, who is considered a "pesticide handler"?
A) Anyone who mixes, loads, or applies pesticides
B) Only certified applicators
C) Only farm owners
D) Only pesticide dealers
Answer: A
Rationale: Handlers include people who mix, load, or apply pesticides, as well as those who perform
other handler tasks.
18. What information must be provided at a central location under the WPS?
A) Safety data sheets, application information, and emergency contact
B) Only the pesticide label
C) Only the REI
D) Only the applicator's name
Answer: A
Rationale: WPS requires specific information to be displayed at a central location for workers and
handlers.
19. Under the WPS, how often must workers receive pesticide safety training?
A) Every 5 years
B) Every 12 months
C) Every 2 years
D) Only once
Answer: B
Rationale: WPS requires workers and handlers to be trained every 12 months.
20. What is the "Application Exclusion Zone" (AEZ) under the WPS?
A) An area where no workers may be present during pesticide application
B) A buffer zone for groundwater protection
C) A zone where re-entry is always allowed
D) A zone for storage only
Answer: A
Rationale: The AEZ is the area surrounding the application equipment where no workers are allowed
during application.
21. What is the purpose of the NH Pesticide Control Board?
A) To establish rules for pesticide use and certification
B) To sell pesticides
C) To grow crops
D) To provide medical care
Answer: A
Rationale: The board establishes rules for eligibility, use of certificates, and standards for pesticide
application.
22. What must a NH pesticide dealer do regarding "Prohibited-limited use" or "restricted" pesticides?
A) Not display them for self-service
B) Sell them to anyone
C) Display them prominently
D) Store them outdoors
Answer: A
Rationale: Dealers shall not display for self-service any "Prohibited-limited use" or "restricted" pesticides.
