QUALIFIED APPLICATOR LICENSE EXAM
(QAL)LAWS AND REGULATIONS EXAM 300
QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
2025
Define Integrated Pest Management - ANSWER-the incorporation of various pest
control techniques in a way that minimizes effects on human and environmental
health while maximizing reductions to pest populations
What is a key pest? - ANSWER-pests that cause major damage on a regular basis;
require regular control efforts to prevent damage
What is an occasional pest? - ANSWER-become pests once in a while due to life
cycles, environmental conditions, or result of human activity
What is a secondary pest? - ANSWER-normally not problem pests but become
problematic after key pests are controlled; can/will cause damage after control of
key pests
Define prevention of pests. - ANSWER-Stopping pest populations before damage
or treatment thresholds; weed/disease free seeding and mediums, disease/insect
resistant genetics, sanitation practices, natural enemies
Define suppression of pests. - ANSWER-reduction of pest populations below
economic injury threshold/to tolerable levels; can lower pest populations so
natural enemies can maintain control; releasing biological agents, cultivation, etc.
,Define eradication of pests. - ANSWER-total elimination of pest from designated
area; very expensive and often limited success; eradication rarely supported
unless it is an exotic or introduced pest
Define economic injury thresholds. - ANSWER-When damages from pests effect
the economic return of the product; pesticide applications often based off of
these thresholds
Describe monitoring and its importance. - ANSWER-detection and tracking of
development of pests; key to building effective management programs; verifies
pest presence and helps predict outbreaks; helps observe habits, life cycles,
natural enemies, properly time applications, assess effectiveness of control
measures
Five components of all IPM programs? - ANSWER-Identification, monitoring, use
of EIL to determine management, prevention, and combining management tools
when needed
What are the IPM methods/control options? - ANSWER-biological, chemical,
mechanical/physical, cultural
Define biological control methods? - ANSWER-use of living control agents/natural
enemies to control pest populations; parasites, pathogens, predators,
competitors
Define chemical control methods - ANSWER-use of naturally occurring or
synthetic pesticides; only used when necessary in combination with other
methods; use of most selective pesticides to minimize detrimental effects to
humans or environment
,Define mechanical/physical controls - ANSWER-kill pest directly or make the
environment unsuitable; ex.) rodent traps, mowing, sterilization, screens for birds
Define cultural controls - ANSWER-reduce pest establishment, reproduction,
dispersal, and survival; ex.) changing irrigation, crop rotation
Explain importance of evaluating pest management results. - ANSWER-monitor
after every treatment to learn if control activity was successful; to ensure levels
reach tolerable levels and control was successful
What IPM method of control is exclusion? - ANSWER-mechanical/physical
What is augmentation? - ANSWER-form of biological control; rearing and
releasing of natural enemies that are probably naturally occurring in the area but
natural populations are too low to effectively control pest
What pest control approach should you use if environmental conditions are
beginning to favor the development of disease? - ANSWER-prevention
What pest control approach should you use if pest populations need to be
lowered so natural enemies can take over and maintain control? - ANSWER-
suppression
What pest control approach should you use if an invasive species is threatening
crops in a new area? - ANSWER-eradication
, Use of barriers, screens, fences, mesh is known as... - ANSWER-exclusion
Why is it important to track the life stage of pests you are trying to control? -
ANSWER-Successful control efforts must coincide with pest's most vulnerable life
stage
Monitor after every treatment to learn... - ANSWER-whether the control activity
was successful
EPA - ANSWER-Environmental Protection Agency - regulates all aspects of
pesticide registration, sale, and use at federal levels thru laws in FIFRA; oversees
and reviews state regulatory programs for compliance with federal requirements
like WPS
DPR - ANSWER-Department of Pesticide Regulation - state lead agency for
developing and implementing regulatory programs; regulates all aspects of sales
and use to protect public and environment; includes certifying and licensing
individuals and enforcing laws and regulations
CAC - ANSWER-County Agricultural Commissioners - certifies private pesticide
applicators and enforces local pesticide use laws and regulations
UC IPM - ANSWER-University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management
Program - works with DPR to develop certification study guides, exam questions,
safety education, management guidelines, and other information
CDFA - ANSWER-California Dept of Food and Agriculture - ensures state food
safety; protects from invasive species
(QAL)LAWS AND REGULATIONS EXAM 300
QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
2025
Define Integrated Pest Management - ANSWER-the incorporation of various pest
control techniques in a way that minimizes effects on human and environmental
health while maximizing reductions to pest populations
What is a key pest? - ANSWER-pests that cause major damage on a regular basis;
require regular control efforts to prevent damage
What is an occasional pest? - ANSWER-become pests once in a while due to life
cycles, environmental conditions, or result of human activity
What is a secondary pest? - ANSWER-normally not problem pests but become
problematic after key pests are controlled; can/will cause damage after control of
key pests
Define prevention of pests. - ANSWER-Stopping pest populations before damage
or treatment thresholds; weed/disease free seeding and mediums, disease/insect
resistant genetics, sanitation practices, natural enemies
Define suppression of pests. - ANSWER-reduction of pest populations below
economic injury threshold/to tolerable levels; can lower pest populations so
natural enemies can maintain control; releasing biological agents, cultivation, etc.
,Define eradication of pests. - ANSWER-total elimination of pest from designated
area; very expensive and often limited success; eradication rarely supported
unless it is an exotic or introduced pest
Define economic injury thresholds. - ANSWER-When damages from pests effect
the economic return of the product; pesticide applications often based off of
these thresholds
Describe monitoring and its importance. - ANSWER-detection and tracking of
development of pests; key to building effective management programs; verifies
pest presence and helps predict outbreaks; helps observe habits, life cycles,
natural enemies, properly time applications, assess effectiveness of control
measures
Five components of all IPM programs? - ANSWER-Identification, monitoring, use
of EIL to determine management, prevention, and combining management tools
when needed
What are the IPM methods/control options? - ANSWER-biological, chemical,
mechanical/physical, cultural
Define biological control methods? - ANSWER-use of living control agents/natural
enemies to control pest populations; parasites, pathogens, predators,
competitors
Define chemical control methods - ANSWER-use of naturally occurring or
synthetic pesticides; only used when necessary in combination with other
methods; use of most selective pesticides to minimize detrimental effects to
humans or environment
,Define mechanical/physical controls - ANSWER-kill pest directly or make the
environment unsuitable; ex.) rodent traps, mowing, sterilization, screens for birds
Define cultural controls - ANSWER-reduce pest establishment, reproduction,
dispersal, and survival; ex.) changing irrigation, crop rotation
Explain importance of evaluating pest management results. - ANSWER-monitor
after every treatment to learn if control activity was successful; to ensure levels
reach tolerable levels and control was successful
What IPM method of control is exclusion? - ANSWER-mechanical/physical
What is augmentation? - ANSWER-form of biological control; rearing and
releasing of natural enemies that are probably naturally occurring in the area but
natural populations are too low to effectively control pest
What pest control approach should you use if environmental conditions are
beginning to favor the development of disease? - ANSWER-prevention
What pest control approach should you use if pest populations need to be
lowered so natural enemies can take over and maintain control? - ANSWER-
suppression
What pest control approach should you use if an invasive species is threatening
crops in a new area? - ANSWER-eradication
, Use of barriers, screens, fences, mesh is known as... - ANSWER-exclusion
Why is it important to track the life stage of pests you are trying to control? -
ANSWER-Successful control efforts must coincide with pest's most vulnerable life
stage
Monitor after every treatment to learn... - ANSWER-whether the control activity
was successful
EPA - ANSWER-Environmental Protection Agency - regulates all aspects of
pesticide registration, sale, and use at federal levels thru laws in FIFRA; oversees
and reviews state regulatory programs for compliance with federal requirements
like WPS
DPR - ANSWER-Department of Pesticide Regulation - state lead agency for
developing and implementing regulatory programs; regulates all aspects of sales
and use to protect public and environment; includes certifying and licensing
individuals and enforcing laws and regulations
CAC - ANSWER-County Agricultural Commissioners - certifies private pesticide
applicators and enforces local pesticide use laws and regulations
UC IPM - ANSWER-University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management
Program - works with DPR to develop certification study guides, exam questions,
safety education, management guidelines, and other information
CDFA - ANSWER-California Dept of Food and Agriculture - ensures state food
safety; protects from invasive species
