PESTICIDE APPLICATOR LICENSE EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary federal law regulating
pesticides in the United States?
A. Clean Water Act
B. Food Safety Modernization Act
C. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
D. Endangered Species Act
Rationale: FIFRA governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of
pesticides in the U.S.
2. What does the EPA require for all pesticide labels?
A. Price of the pesticide
B. Directions for use and safety precautions
C. Name of retailer
D. Expiration date
Rationale: The label provides legally enforceable instructions, including
safety and proper use.
3. Which signal word indicates a pesticide is highly toxic?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger
,D. Notice
Rationale: “Danger” is the highest toxicity signal word on pesticide
labels.
4. Which method is most effective for preventing pesticide drift?
A. Increasing spray pressure
B. Using low wind speed and proper nozzle selection
C. Spraying during high heat
D. Increasing spray volume
Rationale: Drift is minimized by applying pesticides during low wind and
using proper nozzles.
5. What is the term for the movement of pesticide from the soil into
water sources?
A. Adsorption
B. Evaporation
C. Leaching
D. Runoff
Rationale: Leaching is the downward movement of chemicals through
soil into groundwater.
6. Which PPE (personal protective equipment) is essential for mixing
and loading concentrated pesticides?
A. Safety glasses only
B. Chemical-resistant gloves, apron, and goggles
C. Hat and boots only
D. Cotton gloves
Rationale: PPE must protect against skin and eye exposure to
concentrated pesticides.
7. What is the purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
A. To provide cost information
, B. To advertise the pesticide
C. To provide detailed health and safety information
D. To list only ingredients
Rationale: SDS contains hazard identification, first aid, and safe
handling instructions.
8. Which type of pesticide is used to control insects?
A. Herbicide
B. Fungicide
C. Insecticide
D. Rodenticide
Rationale: Insecticides are designed specifically to target insects.
9. What is the best practice for storing pesticides?
A. On open shelves in a barn
B. In a locked, well-ventilated, labeled storage area
C. In a shed with no ventilation
D. Near food products
Rationale: Proper storage prevents accidents, contamination, and
exposure.
10. Which factor affects pesticide persistence in the environment?
A. Color of the pesticide
B. Temperature, moisture, and sunlight
C. Brand of the pesticide
D. Storage location only
Rationale: Environmental factors influence pesticide degradation and
persistence.
11. Which of the following describes systemic pesticides?
A. Remain on the surface of plants
B. Kill only insects on contact
C. Absorbed by plants and transported internally
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary federal law regulating
pesticides in the United States?
A. Clean Water Act
B. Food Safety Modernization Act
C. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
D. Endangered Species Act
Rationale: FIFRA governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of
pesticides in the U.S.
2. What does the EPA require for all pesticide labels?
A. Price of the pesticide
B. Directions for use and safety precautions
C. Name of retailer
D. Expiration date
Rationale: The label provides legally enforceable instructions, including
safety and proper use.
3. Which signal word indicates a pesticide is highly toxic?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger
,D. Notice
Rationale: “Danger” is the highest toxicity signal word on pesticide
labels.
4. Which method is most effective for preventing pesticide drift?
A. Increasing spray pressure
B. Using low wind speed and proper nozzle selection
C. Spraying during high heat
D. Increasing spray volume
Rationale: Drift is minimized by applying pesticides during low wind and
using proper nozzles.
5. What is the term for the movement of pesticide from the soil into
water sources?
A. Adsorption
B. Evaporation
C. Leaching
D. Runoff
Rationale: Leaching is the downward movement of chemicals through
soil into groundwater.
6. Which PPE (personal protective equipment) is essential for mixing
and loading concentrated pesticides?
A. Safety glasses only
B. Chemical-resistant gloves, apron, and goggles
C. Hat and boots only
D. Cotton gloves
Rationale: PPE must protect against skin and eye exposure to
concentrated pesticides.
7. What is the purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
A. To provide cost information
, B. To advertise the pesticide
C. To provide detailed health and safety information
D. To list only ingredients
Rationale: SDS contains hazard identification, first aid, and safe
handling instructions.
8. Which type of pesticide is used to control insects?
A. Herbicide
B. Fungicide
C. Insecticide
D. Rodenticide
Rationale: Insecticides are designed specifically to target insects.
9. What is the best practice for storing pesticides?
A. On open shelves in a barn
B. In a locked, well-ventilated, labeled storage area
C. In a shed with no ventilation
D. Near food products
Rationale: Proper storage prevents accidents, contamination, and
exposure.
10. Which factor affects pesticide persistence in the environment?
A. Color of the pesticide
B. Temperature, moisture, and sunlight
C. Brand of the pesticide
D. Storage location only
Rationale: Environmental factors influence pesticide degradation and
persistence.
11. Which of the following describes systemic pesticides?
A. Remain on the surface of plants
B. Kill only insects on contact
C. Absorbed by plants and transported internally