Questions and Correct Answers
California QAL Laws & Regulations Exam Preparation
1. What is the primary purpose of the California Structural Pest Control Act?
A. To ensure pesticide manufacturers make a profit
B. To promote the use of the strongest pesticides available
C. To protect the public health, welfare, and safety ✓
D. To eliminate all pests from urban environments
2. A "Pest" is defined as any insect, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed, or any other form of
terrestrial or aquatic plant or animal life, or virus, bacteria, or other microorganism which:
A. Is aesthetically unpleasing
B. Competes with humans for food
C. Is injurious to health, the environment, or structures ✓
D. Is not native to California
3. Who must be licensed as a Qualified Applicator License (QAL) holder?
A. Anyone who applies pesticides as a hobby
B. The person who supervizes or performs pest control for hire or compensation ✓
C. The person who answers the phone at a pest control company
D. A gardener who only uses weed whackers
4. A QAL holder's license must be renewed every:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years ✓
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
5. A QAL holder is responsible for:
A. Only their own personal applications
B. The actions of all employees working under their supervision ✓
C. Only the applications they personally quote
D. The financial success of the company
,6. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a QAL?
A. 16 years old
B. 18 years old ✓
C. 21 years old
D. There is no minimum age
7. A company must have a Registered Pest Control Company license (RPCC) if it:
A. Sells pesticides over the counter
B. Advises customers on pest control
C. Advertises or contracts to perform pest control for hire ✓
D. Manufactures pesticides
8. A "Regulated Pest" is one that:
A. Is subject to state or federal quarantine or control programs ✓
B. Is found in agricultural areas only
C. Is any insect or rodent
D. Has developed resistance to pesticides
9. The term "Application" refers to:
A. The form you fill out for a license
B. The act of placing a pesticide on a target site ✓
C. The request for service from a customer
D. The mixing and loading of pesticides
10. A "Device" used in pest control is:
A. Any instrument or contrivance intended to trap, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests, but not
including firearms ✓
B. A pesticide container
C. Any piece of safety equipment
D. A firearm used for rodent control
11. The primary agency responsible for registering and regulating pesticide products in the
United States is the:
A. California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC)
D. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ✓
12. In California, the primary state agency that regulates pesticide use is the:
A. Cal/OSHA
,B. Department of Consumer Affairs
C. Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) ✓
D. Environmental Protection Agency
13. The local enforcement agent for the Structural Pest Control Act and DPR regulations is the:
A. City Mayor
B. County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC) ✓
C. Local Fire Department
D. State Water Resources Control Board
14. The Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) is responsible for:
A. Manufacturing pesticides
B. Licensing pest control companies and applicators ✓
C. Setting water quality standards
D. Registering all pesticide products
15. Which document must be maintained on file at the company's principal office for each
application?
A. The pesticide invoice
B. The customer's original request
C. The completed and signed Work Order or Service Report ✓
D. The applicator's daily schedule
16. A Work Completion Report must be issued to the customer for any single application with
a price exceeding:
A. $100
B. $250
C. $500
D. No specific dollar amount; it is required for all applications where a contract exists ✓
17. The Pesticide Use Report must be submitted to the County Agricultural Commissioner:
A. Daily
B. Monthly ✓
C. Quarterly
D. Annually
18. A Notice of Intent to Apply a Restricted Material must be provided to tenants in a
residential building at least:
A. 12 hours prior to application
B. 24 hours prior to application
, C. 48 hours prior to application ✓
D. 72 hours prior to application
19. The "Right-to-Know" law requires that which of the following be provided to tenants upon
request?
A. The company's profit margin on the service
B. The applicator's home address
C. The brand name and active ingredient(s) of the pesticide used ✓
D. The customer's personal file
20. Before applying a pesticide to an apartment unit, the applicator must give verbal notice
to:
A. All residents in the entire apartment complex
B. The residents of the specific unit to be treated ✓
C. The local fire department
D. The County Agricultural Commissioner
21. Pesticide records, including Work Reports, must be kept for a minimum of:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years ✓
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
22. A "Restricted Material" pesticide:
A. Is less effective than other pesticides
B. Can only be used by or under the direct supervision of a licensed individual with a permit
from the CAC ✓
C. Is banned in all situations
D. Is available for purchase by the general public
23. Which of the following is a common example of a Restricted Material often used in
structural pest control?
A. Pyrethrins
B. Boric Acid
C. Fumigants such as Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride) ✓
D. Silica Gels
24. A Permit from the County Agricultural Commissioner is required to use:
A. Any pesticide
B. Only Restricted Materials ✓