Tennessee Category 3: Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
(commercial pesticide applicator) Certification Exam Questions with
Answers | Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. Which federal law governs the registration, distribution, sale, and
use of pesticides in the United States?
A. The Occupational Safety and Health Act
B. The Clean Air Act
C. The Toxic Substances Control Act
D. FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)
Answer: D. FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act)
Rationale: FIFRA is the primary federal pesticide law. EPA registers
products and sets labeling and use requirements, while states such as
Tennessee enforce them through their own pesticide programs.
2. In Tennessee, which agency administers the pesticide applicator
certification and enforcement program?
A. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
B. Tennessee Department of Health
C. Tennessee Department of Agriculture
D. Tennessee Board of Regents
Answer: C. Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Rationale: The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is the state
lead agency for pesticide regulation, applicator certification, and
enforcement under EPA-approved state plans.
Page 1
,3. The statement "the label is the law" means that:
A. the label applies only to homeowners
B. only restricted use pesticides must follow the label
C. using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling is a violation
of law
D. the label is only a suggestion for best practices
Answer: C. using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its
labeling is a violation of law
Rationale: Under FIFRA it is unlawful to use a registered pesticide in a
manner inconsistent with its labeling. Labels are legally enforceable
documents.
4. Which signal word indicates the highest level of acute toxicity?
A. DANGER
B. WARNING
C. CAUTION
D. NOTICE
Answer: A. DANGER
Rationale: DANGER identifies the most acutely toxic products (Toxicity
Category I). WARNING is Category II, CAUTION is Categories III and IV,
and NOTICE is not a toxicity signal word.
5. A pesticide product bearing the signal word CAUTION is generally:
A. slightly toxic or relatively low in acute toxicity
B. restricted to certified applicators only
C. safe to use without protective equipment
D. highly toxic and deadly if swallowed
Answer: A. slightly toxic or relatively low in acute toxicity
Rationale: CAUTION is used for Category III and IV products (oral LD50
above 500 mg/kg). Even so, label PPE and precautions must still be
followed.
Page 2
, 6. A restricted use pesticide (RUP) may be purchased and used only
by:
A. anyone over 18 years old
B. certified applicators or persons under their direct supervision
C. licensed dealers only
D. any employee of a landscaping company
Answer: B. certified applicators or persons under their direct
supervision
Rationale: RUPs may cause unreasonable adverse effects without
additional restrictions, so they are limited to certified applicators or people
working under their supervision as allowed by the label.
7. The active ingredient (AI) in a pesticide product is:
A. the container material
B. the chemical that controls the target pest
C. the material that colors the product
D. the inert carrier or solvent
Answer: B. the chemical that controls the target pest
Rationale: The active ingredient is the component that actually kills or
controls the pest. The remainder is inert ingredients, which can still be
hazardous.
8. Which item on a pesticide label identifies the product as federally
registered?
A. The trade name
B. The net contents statement
C. The EPA registration number
D. The lot number
Answer: C. The EPA registration number
Rationale: The EPA Registration Number (EPA Reg. No.) shows the
product is registered with the EPA. Lot numbers only track a production
batch.
Page 3
(commercial pesticide applicator) Certification Exam Questions with
Answers | Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. Which federal law governs the registration, distribution, sale, and
use of pesticides in the United States?
A. The Occupational Safety and Health Act
B. The Clean Air Act
C. The Toxic Substances Control Act
D. FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)
Answer: D. FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act)
Rationale: FIFRA is the primary federal pesticide law. EPA registers
products and sets labeling and use requirements, while states such as
Tennessee enforce them through their own pesticide programs.
2. In Tennessee, which agency administers the pesticide applicator
certification and enforcement program?
A. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
B. Tennessee Department of Health
C. Tennessee Department of Agriculture
D. Tennessee Board of Regents
Answer: C. Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Rationale: The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is the state
lead agency for pesticide regulation, applicator certification, and
enforcement under EPA-approved state plans.
Page 1
,3. The statement "the label is the law" means that:
A. the label applies only to homeowners
B. only restricted use pesticides must follow the label
C. using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling is a violation
of law
D. the label is only a suggestion for best practices
Answer: C. using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its
labeling is a violation of law
Rationale: Under FIFRA it is unlawful to use a registered pesticide in a
manner inconsistent with its labeling. Labels are legally enforceable
documents.
4. Which signal word indicates the highest level of acute toxicity?
A. DANGER
B. WARNING
C. CAUTION
D. NOTICE
Answer: A. DANGER
Rationale: DANGER identifies the most acutely toxic products (Toxicity
Category I). WARNING is Category II, CAUTION is Categories III and IV,
and NOTICE is not a toxicity signal word.
5. A pesticide product bearing the signal word CAUTION is generally:
A. slightly toxic or relatively low in acute toxicity
B. restricted to certified applicators only
C. safe to use without protective equipment
D. highly toxic and deadly if swallowed
Answer: A. slightly toxic or relatively low in acute toxicity
Rationale: CAUTION is used for Category III and IV products (oral LD50
above 500 mg/kg). Even so, label PPE and precautions must still be
followed.
Page 2
, 6. A restricted use pesticide (RUP) may be purchased and used only
by:
A. anyone over 18 years old
B. certified applicators or persons under their direct supervision
C. licensed dealers only
D. any employee of a landscaping company
Answer: B. certified applicators or persons under their direct
supervision
Rationale: RUPs may cause unreasonable adverse effects without
additional restrictions, so they are limited to certified applicators or people
working under their supervision as allowed by the label.
7. The active ingredient (AI) in a pesticide product is:
A. the container material
B. the chemical that controls the target pest
C. the material that colors the product
D. the inert carrier or solvent
Answer: B. the chemical that controls the target pest
Rationale: The active ingredient is the component that actually kills or
controls the pest. The remainder is inert ingredients, which can still be
hazardous.
8. Which item on a pesticide label identifies the product as federally
registered?
A. The trade name
B. The net contents statement
C. The EPA registration number
D. The lot number
Answer: C. The EPA registration number
Rationale: The EPA Registration Number (EPA Reg. No.) shows the
product is registered with the EPA. Lot numbers only track a production
batch.
Page 3
