PA Pest Control Applicator Licensing Certification
Exam Questions And Correct Answers (100% Verified)
With Rationales | Latest Update 2026/2027 | Graded
A+.
1. Which federal law primarily regulates the registration, distribution,
sale, and use of pesticides in the United States? a) Clean Water Act
b) Clean Air Act
c) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
d) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
FIFRA is the main federal law regulating pesticides, including
labeling and use requirements.
2. What agency administers FIFRA at the federal level?
a) USDA
b) EPA
c) FDA
d) OSHA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for
enforcing FIFRA.
3. In Pennsylvania, who regulates the licensing of pest control
applicators?
, a) EPA Region 3
b) Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA)
c) DEP
d) USDA
The PDA regulates certification, licensing, and enforcement within
the state.
4. The term “Restricted Use Pesticide” means:
a) Pesticide can only be purchased in small quantities
b) Pesticide can only be applied by a certified applicator
c) Pesticide is less toxic than general-use products
d) Pesticide does not require protective equipment
Restricted Use Pesticides require certification due to potential
hazards.
5. Which signal word on a pesticide label indicates the highest
acute toxicity?
a) Caution
b) Warning
c) Danger
d) Note
“Danger” indicates the highest acute toxicity; “Warning” is
moderate, “Caution” is low.
6. LD50 refers to:
a) A pesticide’s expiration date
, b) The dose lethal to 50% of a test population
c) Legal dosage allowed in Pennsylvania
d) The label dose for crops
LD50 is a toxicological measure of pesticide hazard.
7. Which route of pesticide exposure is usually most hazardous
for applicators?
a) Inhalation
b) Oral
c) Dermal
d) Ocular
Most applicator poisonings occur through skin contact with liquid
concentrates.
8. Which type of respirator is required when working with toxic
fumigants?
a) Dust mask
b) Half-face cartridge respirator
c) Supplied-air respirator
d) Bandana
Fumigants require supplied-air respirators because they displace
oxygen.
9. Which pesticide formulation is most likely to cause drift?
a) Granules
, b) Emulsifiable concentrates
c) Pellets
d) Baits
Emulsifiable concentrates produce fine droplets that can drift
easily.
10. What is the most important part of a pesticide label?
a) Company logo
b) Net weight
c) Directions for use
d) Color scheme
The “Directions for Use” section provides legally enforceable
instructions for safe and effective application.
11. Which is a characteristic of water-soluble packets?
a) They must be broken open before mixing
b) They dissolve directly in spray tanks
c) They cannot be used with herbicides
d) They are for dry application only
Water-soluble packets dissolve completely in water, reducing
handling risk.
12. Which statement about pesticide storage is correct?
Exam Questions And Correct Answers (100% Verified)
With Rationales | Latest Update 2026/2027 | Graded
A+.
1. Which federal law primarily regulates the registration, distribution,
sale, and use of pesticides in the United States? a) Clean Water Act
b) Clean Air Act
c) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
d) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
FIFRA is the main federal law regulating pesticides, including
labeling and use requirements.
2. What agency administers FIFRA at the federal level?
a) USDA
b) EPA
c) FDA
d) OSHA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for
enforcing FIFRA.
3. In Pennsylvania, who regulates the licensing of pest control
applicators?
, a) EPA Region 3
b) Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA)
c) DEP
d) USDA
The PDA regulates certification, licensing, and enforcement within
the state.
4. The term “Restricted Use Pesticide” means:
a) Pesticide can only be purchased in small quantities
b) Pesticide can only be applied by a certified applicator
c) Pesticide is less toxic than general-use products
d) Pesticide does not require protective equipment
Restricted Use Pesticides require certification due to potential
hazards.
5. Which signal word on a pesticide label indicates the highest
acute toxicity?
a) Caution
b) Warning
c) Danger
d) Note
“Danger” indicates the highest acute toxicity; “Warning” is
moderate, “Caution” is low.
6. LD50 refers to:
a) A pesticide’s expiration date
, b) The dose lethal to 50% of a test population
c) Legal dosage allowed in Pennsylvania
d) The label dose for crops
LD50 is a toxicological measure of pesticide hazard.
7. Which route of pesticide exposure is usually most hazardous
for applicators?
a) Inhalation
b) Oral
c) Dermal
d) Ocular
Most applicator poisonings occur through skin contact with liquid
concentrates.
8. Which type of respirator is required when working with toxic
fumigants?
a) Dust mask
b) Half-face cartridge respirator
c) Supplied-air respirator
d) Bandana
Fumigants require supplied-air respirators because they displace
oxygen.
9. Which pesticide formulation is most likely to cause drift?
a) Granules
, b) Emulsifiable concentrates
c) Pellets
d) Baits
Emulsifiable concentrates produce fine droplets that can drift
easily.
10. What is the most important part of a pesticide label?
a) Company logo
b) Net weight
c) Directions for use
d) Color scheme
The “Directions for Use” section provides legally enforceable
instructions for safe and effective application.
11. Which is a characteristic of water-soluble packets?
a) They must be broken open before mixing
b) They dissolve directly in spray tanks
c) They cannot be used with herbicides
d) They are for dry application only
Water-soluble packets dissolve completely in water, reducing
handling risk.
12. Which statement about pesticide storage is correct?
