California Structural Pest Control
Operator Examination with Practice
Questions And Corre
1. Under the California Structural Pest Control Act, a Branch 3 licensee performs a
wood-destroying pest inspection and discovers active drywood termite infestation in a
structure. Which of the following actions is legally required before issuing a notice of
work?
A. Immediately treat the infestation with a non-repellent termiticide without notifying the
property owner.
B. Provide the property owner with a written inspection report and a separate notice of
work detailing findings and proposed treatment.
C. Report the infestation to the Structural Pest Control Board within 24 hours and await
approval.
D. Refer the case to a Branch 2 licensee since drywood termites fall under Branch 2
jurisdiction.
Answer: B. Provide the property owner with a written inspection report and a
separate notice of work detailing findings and proposed treatment.
Rationale: The Act requires a written inspection report and a notice of work before
treatment, ensuring informed consent. Immediate treatment without notice (A) violates due
process; SPCB reporting (C) is not mandated for routine findings; drywood termites are
Branch 3 (D), so referral is incorrect.
Page 1 of 81
,2. A structural pest control operator plans to fumigate a multi-unit apartment
building with sulfuryl fluoride. Which regulatory requirement must be satisfied prior
to fumigation under California DPR and SPCB rules?
A. Obtain a county agricultural commissioner permit and notify all occupants and
adjacent properties at least 48 hours in advance.
B. Secure a state fumigation license and post warning signs only at the main entrance.
C. File an environmental impact report with the California EPA.
D. Obtain written consent from each tenant and provide them with N95 masks.
Answer: A. Obtain a county agricultural commissioner permit and notify all
occupants and adjacent properties at least 48 hours in advance.
Rationale: Fumigation requires a county agricultural commissioner permit and 48-hour
notification to occupants and neighbors. A state license is necessary but not sufficient (B);
an EIR is not required for routine fumigation (C); tenant consent and masks are not
regulatory substitutes (D).
Page 2 of 81
,3. During a subterranean termite treatment, a technician applies a liquid termiticide
to the soil adjacent to a foundation. Which factor most directly determines the
appropriate application rate and method according to the pesticide label and
California regulations?
A. The type of soil and depth to groundwater
B. The square footage of the structure
C. The label's specified concentration and volume per linear foot of trench
D. The number of termite colonies observed
Answer: C. The label's specified concentration and volume per linear foot of trench
Rationale: The pesticide label dictates legal application rates and methods, including
concentration and volume per linear foot. Soil type (A) may influence efficacy but not legal
rate; square footage (B) and colony count (D) are not label determinants.
4. A Branch 2 licensee is treating a cockroach infestation in a commercial kitchen.
Which integrated pest management (IPM) strategy is most consistent with California's
emphasis on reducing pesticide use in sensitive environments?
A. Applying a broad-spectrum residual spray along all baseboards weekly.
B. Using gel baits combined with sanitation and exclusion measures.
C. Fogging with an insecticide every night after closing.
D. Placing glue boards only and discontinuing chemical treatments.
Answer: B. Using gel baits combined with sanitation and exclusion measures.
Rationale: IPM prioritizes sanitation, exclusion, and targeted baiting to minimize pesticide
exposure. Weekly broad-spectrum sprays (A) and nightly fogging (C) are excessive and
non-IPM; glue boards alone (D) may not control heavy infestations.
Page 3 of 81
, 5. A structural pest control company is cited for failing to maintain records of
pesticide use. Under California DPR regulations, which recordkeeping element is
mandatory for each application?
A. The name of the pesticide, amount used, date, location, and applicator's name.
B. The client's pest control contract and payment receipt.
C. The pest species identification and colony count.
D. The temperature and humidity at the time of application.
Answer: A. The name of the pesticide, amount used, date, location, and applicator's
name.
Rationale: DPR requires detailed records including pesticide name, amount, date, location,
and applicator. Contracts (B) are separate; pest identification (C) is good practice but not
mandated for all records; weather data (D) is optional.
6. A technician discovers a previously unidentified wood-destroying organism that
appears to be a powderpost beetle. Which characteristic best distinguishes powderpost
beetle damage from that of drywood termites?
A. Presence of fecal pellets in galleries
B. Fine, flour-like frass expelled from small round holes
C. Mud tubes extending from the wood surface
D. Hollowed galleries with no frass
Answer: B. Fine, flour-like frass expelled from small round holes
Rationale: Powderpost beetles produce fine, flour-like frass from small exit holes. Drywood
termites produce fecal pellets (A); subterranean termites build mud tubes (C); drywood
termites may leave pellets, not hollow galleries without frass (D).
Page 4 of 81
Operator Examination with Practice
Questions And Corre
1. Under the California Structural Pest Control Act, a Branch 3 licensee performs a
wood-destroying pest inspection and discovers active drywood termite infestation in a
structure. Which of the following actions is legally required before issuing a notice of
work?
A. Immediately treat the infestation with a non-repellent termiticide without notifying the
property owner.
B. Provide the property owner with a written inspection report and a separate notice of
work detailing findings and proposed treatment.
C. Report the infestation to the Structural Pest Control Board within 24 hours and await
approval.
D. Refer the case to a Branch 2 licensee since drywood termites fall under Branch 2
jurisdiction.
Answer: B. Provide the property owner with a written inspection report and a
separate notice of work detailing findings and proposed treatment.
Rationale: The Act requires a written inspection report and a notice of work before
treatment, ensuring informed consent. Immediate treatment without notice (A) violates due
process; SPCB reporting (C) is not mandated for routine findings; drywood termites are
Branch 3 (D), so referral is incorrect.
Page 1 of 81
,2. A structural pest control operator plans to fumigate a multi-unit apartment
building with sulfuryl fluoride. Which regulatory requirement must be satisfied prior
to fumigation under California DPR and SPCB rules?
A. Obtain a county agricultural commissioner permit and notify all occupants and
adjacent properties at least 48 hours in advance.
B. Secure a state fumigation license and post warning signs only at the main entrance.
C. File an environmental impact report with the California EPA.
D. Obtain written consent from each tenant and provide them with N95 masks.
Answer: A. Obtain a county agricultural commissioner permit and notify all
occupants and adjacent properties at least 48 hours in advance.
Rationale: Fumigation requires a county agricultural commissioner permit and 48-hour
notification to occupants and neighbors. A state license is necessary but not sufficient (B);
an EIR is not required for routine fumigation (C); tenant consent and masks are not
regulatory substitutes (D).
Page 2 of 81
,3. During a subterranean termite treatment, a technician applies a liquid termiticide
to the soil adjacent to a foundation. Which factor most directly determines the
appropriate application rate and method according to the pesticide label and
California regulations?
A. The type of soil and depth to groundwater
B. The square footage of the structure
C. The label's specified concentration and volume per linear foot of trench
D. The number of termite colonies observed
Answer: C. The label's specified concentration and volume per linear foot of trench
Rationale: The pesticide label dictates legal application rates and methods, including
concentration and volume per linear foot. Soil type (A) may influence efficacy but not legal
rate; square footage (B) and colony count (D) are not label determinants.
4. A Branch 2 licensee is treating a cockroach infestation in a commercial kitchen.
Which integrated pest management (IPM) strategy is most consistent with California's
emphasis on reducing pesticide use in sensitive environments?
A. Applying a broad-spectrum residual spray along all baseboards weekly.
B. Using gel baits combined with sanitation and exclusion measures.
C. Fogging with an insecticide every night after closing.
D. Placing glue boards only and discontinuing chemical treatments.
Answer: B. Using gel baits combined with sanitation and exclusion measures.
Rationale: IPM prioritizes sanitation, exclusion, and targeted baiting to minimize pesticide
exposure. Weekly broad-spectrum sprays (A) and nightly fogging (C) are excessive and
non-IPM; glue boards alone (D) may not control heavy infestations.
Page 3 of 81
, 5. A structural pest control company is cited for failing to maintain records of
pesticide use. Under California DPR regulations, which recordkeeping element is
mandatory for each application?
A. The name of the pesticide, amount used, date, location, and applicator's name.
B. The client's pest control contract and payment receipt.
C. The pest species identification and colony count.
D. The temperature and humidity at the time of application.
Answer: A. The name of the pesticide, amount used, date, location, and applicator's
name.
Rationale: DPR requires detailed records including pesticide name, amount, date, location,
and applicator. Contracts (B) are separate; pest identification (C) is good practice but not
mandated for all records; weather data (D) is optional.
6. A technician discovers a previously unidentified wood-destroying organism that
appears to be a powderpost beetle. Which characteristic best distinguishes powderpost
beetle damage from that of drywood termites?
A. Presence of fecal pellets in galleries
B. Fine, flour-like frass expelled from small round holes
C. Mud tubes extending from the wood surface
D. Hollowed galleries with no frass
Answer: B. Fine, flour-like frass expelled from small round holes
Rationale: Powderpost beetles produce fine, flour-like frass from small exit holes. Drywood
termites produce fecal pellets (A); subterranean termites build mud tubes (C); drywood
termites may leave pellets, not hollow galleries without frass (D).
Page 4 of 81
