California Qualified Applicator License (QAL) – Full
Practice Exam (1–70 with Answers & Rationales)
1. What is the main purpose of the California Department of Pesticide
Regulation (DPR)?
A. To license only farm pesticide users
B. To regulate pesticide sales and use for environmental and human protection
C. To develop new pesticides
D. To enforce federal pesticide manufacturing laws
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: DPR ensures pesticide safety and compliance statewide, overseeing environmental
and public health concerns related to pesticide use.
2. A Qualified Applicator License allows the holder to:
A. Supervise unlicensed employees applying restricted pesticides
B. Manufacture and sell pesticides
C. Apply pesticides for private use only
D. Work without following label restrictions
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: The QAL holder is responsible for supervision, safety, and legal compliance during
restricted pesticide use.
3. What document provides the legal directions for pesticide use?
A. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
B. The product label
C. The equipment manual
D. The DPR website
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: The pesticide label is a legal document—violating it is against federal and state law.
4. Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) can only be applied by:
,A. Certified applicators or those under their supervision
B. Any trained worker
C. Homeowners
D. Retail store employees
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: RUPs pose greater risk to humans or the environment, requiring certified supervision
under state and EPA rules.
5. When transporting pesticides, containers must be:
A. Covered with a tarp
B. Secured upright and labeled
C. In a closed box without ventilation
D. Hidden from sunlight
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Safety regulations require secure, upright transport with clear labeling to avoid spills
or confusion.
6. The best way to reduce pesticide drift is to:
A. Apply during windy afternoons
B. Use larger droplets and lower pressure
C. Use fine mist sprayers
D. Ignore weather conditions
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Larger droplets minimize drift; calm wind and correct nozzle choice prevent off-
target movement.
7. The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is enforced by:
A. USDA
B. EPA and DPR jointly
C. OSHA only
D. Local cooperatives
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: The EPA and California DPR enforce WPS to protect agricultural workers and
handlers.
, 8. PPE requirements can be found:
A. On the pesticide label
B. In local weather reports
C. Only in training manuals
D. In state vehicle codes
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: Labels specify minimum PPE such as gloves, respirators, and protective clothing.
9. What should be done first after pesticide exposure to the eyes?
A. Call 911 immediately
B. Flush with clean water for 15 minutes
C. Apply ointment
D. Cover with a clean cloth
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous rinsing removes pesticide residues and prevents absorption or damage.
10. The signal word “Danger” indicates:
A. Low toxicity
B. Moderate toxicity
C. High toxicity or corrosiveness
D. Not harmful
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: “Danger” signals a highly toxic pesticide—small doses may be fatal or cause severe
injury.
11. The EPA registration number identifies:
A. The chemical’s molecular weight
B. The manufacturer and product
C. The pesticide’s expiration date
D. A shipping label code
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Each pesticide must carry a unique EPA registration number linking to manufacturer
and formula details.
Practice Exam (1–70 with Answers & Rationales)
1. What is the main purpose of the California Department of Pesticide
Regulation (DPR)?
A. To license only farm pesticide users
B. To regulate pesticide sales and use for environmental and human protection
C. To develop new pesticides
D. To enforce federal pesticide manufacturing laws
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: DPR ensures pesticide safety and compliance statewide, overseeing environmental
and public health concerns related to pesticide use.
2. A Qualified Applicator License allows the holder to:
A. Supervise unlicensed employees applying restricted pesticides
B. Manufacture and sell pesticides
C. Apply pesticides for private use only
D. Work without following label restrictions
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: The QAL holder is responsible for supervision, safety, and legal compliance during
restricted pesticide use.
3. What document provides the legal directions for pesticide use?
A. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
B. The product label
C. The equipment manual
D. The DPR website
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: The pesticide label is a legal document—violating it is against federal and state law.
4. Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) can only be applied by:
,A. Certified applicators or those under their supervision
B. Any trained worker
C. Homeowners
D. Retail store employees
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: RUPs pose greater risk to humans or the environment, requiring certified supervision
under state and EPA rules.
5. When transporting pesticides, containers must be:
A. Covered with a tarp
B. Secured upright and labeled
C. In a closed box without ventilation
D. Hidden from sunlight
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Safety regulations require secure, upright transport with clear labeling to avoid spills
or confusion.
6. The best way to reduce pesticide drift is to:
A. Apply during windy afternoons
B. Use larger droplets and lower pressure
C. Use fine mist sprayers
D. Ignore weather conditions
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Larger droplets minimize drift; calm wind and correct nozzle choice prevent off-
target movement.
7. The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is enforced by:
A. USDA
B. EPA and DPR jointly
C. OSHA only
D. Local cooperatives
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: The EPA and California DPR enforce WPS to protect agricultural workers and
handlers.
, 8. PPE requirements can be found:
A. On the pesticide label
B. In local weather reports
C. Only in training manuals
D. In state vehicle codes
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: Labels specify minimum PPE such as gloves, respirators, and protective clothing.
9. What should be done first after pesticide exposure to the eyes?
A. Call 911 immediately
B. Flush with clean water for 15 minutes
C. Apply ointment
D. Cover with a clean cloth
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous rinsing removes pesticide residues and prevents absorption or damage.
10. The signal word “Danger” indicates:
A. Low toxicity
B. Moderate toxicity
C. High toxicity or corrosiveness
D. Not harmful
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: “Danger” signals a highly toxic pesticide—small doses may be fatal or cause severe
injury.
11. The EPA registration number identifies:
A. The chemical’s molecular weight
B. The manufacturer and product
C. The pesticide’s expiration date
D. A shipping label code
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Each pesticide must carry a unique EPA registration number linking to manufacturer
and formula details.
