APPLYING PESTICIDES CORRECTLY
REVISED – VIRGINIA QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE
What is the main purpose of the Virginia Core Manual? - ANSWER-To support general
safety training for all pesticides users. This will help you become a competent pesticide
manager.
What state law sets the rules for pesticides use in Virginia? - ANSWER-The Virginia
Pesticide Control Act.
Which state agency is responsible for ensuring the safe use of pesticides in Virginia? -
ANSWER-The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
What is the difference between a private applicator and a commercial applicator? -
ANSWER-A private applicator is a farmer who uses restricted-use pesticides while
producing an agricultural commodity on private land. Agricultural commodities
compromise a wide range of goods and raw materials. Examples include corn,
soybeans, tobacco, food animals, nursery stock, and lumber. Commercial applicators
control pests on the job for consumers, their employers, and/or the public.
How long must Worker Protection Standard (WPS) application records be posted? -
ANSWER-No later than 24 hours after an application is completed and continuously
until 30 days after the last applicable restricted entry interval or until workers or handlers
are no longer on the establishment, whichever is earlier.
What is the main difference between the four classes of commercial applicators? -
ANSWER-Their employer:
1. A commercial applicator for hire works for a pesticide business. He or she makes a
living controlling pests for consumers, who pay the applicator or the employer for
services rendered. Examples include people in the termite control or lawn care
business.
2. A commercial applicator not for hire uses pesticides as one of several job duties.
Examples include golf course superintendents and in-house pesticide applicators in
private schools or food plants.
3. A government employee works for a local, state, or federal government agency.
Examples includes an in-house pesticide applicator in a public school or a state park
employee tending landscape plantings within the park.
, 4. An inactive applicator does not use pesticides on the job. however, these applicators
must maintain their certificate by renewing every two years and attending recertification
courses as required.
How does a registered technician differ from a certified commercial applicator? -
ANSWER-A registered technician does the same type of work as other commercial
applicators. However, a registered technician may use only general-use pesticides
unless directly supervised by a certified commercial applicator. Like commercial
applicators, registered technicians may be for hire, not for hire, government employee,
or inactive.
What sort of training is required of registered technicians? - ANSWER-At least 20 hours
of instruction and self-study of this manual. In addition, prospective registered
technicians must have at least 20 hours of on-the-job training in proper pesticide
handling and application. Trainees must have the direct onsite supervision of a certified
commercial applicator whenever they are handling pesticides.
What sort of credentials do you need to apply to take a commercial applicator exam in
Virginia? - ANSWER-One of the following:
1. A valid Virginia registered technician certificate that has been in force for at least one
year.
2. Proof of formal education, training, and/or experience in pesticide use comparable to
a year's experience as a registered technician to qualify for testing.
A registered technician passed a certification exam on January 15, 2010, When does
the certificate expire? - ANSWER-June 30, 2011.
Do records need to be kept for application of all pesticides or just those classified as
restricted use? - ANSWER-Private applicators must keep records of restricted-use
pesticide applications. They also may need to record all pesticide applications if they
employ farm workers. Commercial applicators and registered technicians must keep
records of all pesticide applications.
What sort of records must sellers of RUPs keep? - ANSWER-Any licensed pesticide
businesses selling restricted-use pesticides must keep sales records.
What are the formats for the certification exams? Where are the exams given? -
ANSWER-Paper and pencil, and touch-screen computer. Both types are multiple
choice. Paper exams are given at VDACS testing centers and (for private applicators
only) extension offices. Touch-screen computer exams are available at DMV Customer
Service Centers.
REVISED – VIRGINIA QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE
What is the main purpose of the Virginia Core Manual? - ANSWER-To support general
safety training for all pesticides users. This will help you become a competent pesticide
manager.
What state law sets the rules for pesticides use in Virginia? - ANSWER-The Virginia
Pesticide Control Act.
Which state agency is responsible for ensuring the safe use of pesticides in Virginia? -
ANSWER-The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
What is the difference between a private applicator and a commercial applicator? -
ANSWER-A private applicator is a farmer who uses restricted-use pesticides while
producing an agricultural commodity on private land. Agricultural commodities
compromise a wide range of goods and raw materials. Examples include corn,
soybeans, tobacco, food animals, nursery stock, and lumber. Commercial applicators
control pests on the job for consumers, their employers, and/or the public.
How long must Worker Protection Standard (WPS) application records be posted? -
ANSWER-No later than 24 hours after an application is completed and continuously
until 30 days after the last applicable restricted entry interval or until workers or handlers
are no longer on the establishment, whichever is earlier.
What is the main difference between the four classes of commercial applicators? -
ANSWER-Their employer:
1. A commercial applicator for hire works for a pesticide business. He or she makes a
living controlling pests for consumers, who pay the applicator or the employer for
services rendered. Examples include people in the termite control or lawn care
business.
2. A commercial applicator not for hire uses pesticides as one of several job duties.
Examples include golf course superintendents and in-house pesticide applicators in
private schools or food plants.
3. A government employee works for a local, state, or federal government agency.
Examples includes an in-house pesticide applicator in a public school or a state park
employee tending landscape plantings within the park.
, 4. An inactive applicator does not use pesticides on the job. however, these applicators
must maintain their certificate by renewing every two years and attending recertification
courses as required.
How does a registered technician differ from a certified commercial applicator? -
ANSWER-A registered technician does the same type of work as other commercial
applicators. However, a registered technician may use only general-use pesticides
unless directly supervised by a certified commercial applicator. Like commercial
applicators, registered technicians may be for hire, not for hire, government employee,
or inactive.
What sort of training is required of registered technicians? - ANSWER-At least 20 hours
of instruction and self-study of this manual. In addition, prospective registered
technicians must have at least 20 hours of on-the-job training in proper pesticide
handling and application. Trainees must have the direct onsite supervision of a certified
commercial applicator whenever they are handling pesticides.
What sort of credentials do you need to apply to take a commercial applicator exam in
Virginia? - ANSWER-One of the following:
1. A valid Virginia registered technician certificate that has been in force for at least one
year.
2. Proof of formal education, training, and/or experience in pesticide use comparable to
a year's experience as a registered technician to qualify for testing.
A registered technician passed a certification exam on January 15, 2010, When does
the certificate expire? - ANSWER-June 30, 2011.
Do records need to be kept for application of all pesticides or just those classified as
restricted use? - ANSWER-Private applicators must keep records of restricted-use
pesticide applications. They also may need to record all pesticide applications if they
employ farm workers. Commercial applicators and registered technicians must keep
records of all pesticide applications.
What sort of records must sellers of RUPs keep? - ANSWER-Any licensed pesticide
businesses selling restricted-use pesticides must keep sales records.
What are the formats for the certification exams? Where are the exams given? -
ANSWER-Paper and pencil, and touch-screen computer. Both types are multiple
choice. Paper exams are given at VDACS testing centers and (for private applicators
only) extension offices. Touch-screen computer exams are available at DMV Customer
Service Centers.
