PESTICIDE APPLICATOR 2026 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔how can you slow down or limit pesticide resistance? - ✔✔1. rotate MOAs
2. use pesticides that target multiple sites in a pest
3. use new or altered pesticides
4. treat alternate generations of pests
5. use non chemical control methods where feasible
✔✔explain the difference between the words "label" and "labeling" - ✔✔The label is the
information printed on tor attached to the pesticide container. labeling includes the label
itself, plus all other info recieved from the manufacturer about the product
✔✔what is registration of a pesticide - ✔✔the ongoing review of a registered pesticide
to assess the risks and benefits associated with its labeled uses. the goal of registration
is to identify and reduce risks, based on current scientific knowledge
✔✔what is a tolerance - ✔✔the max amount of pesticide residue that may remain on
food or reed at harvest or slaughter. tolerance levels are set by EPA. observing
tolerances is crucial in ensuring food safety.
✔✔when and why may a pesticide product be registered for a special local need SLN? -
✔✔if a manufacturer wants to register a pesticide for use only on a regional crop or to
manage a localized pest problem. SLN registrations allow states to expand or limit the
uses of federally registered pesticides within their jurisdictions.
✔✔what is a federal Section 3 registration? - ✔✔an EPA registered product with a label
reviewed and approved by that federal agency. Most pesticides are registered this way.
these have an EPA registration number
✔✔true or false: ALL pesticide products must be registered with EPA. This agency
reviews the labels of ALL pesticide products sold in the US - ✔✔False. Minimum risk
pesticides are exempt from the federal registration process.
✔✔under what conditions may a pesticide be labeled "minimum risk" and thus be
exempt form federal regulations? how do labels of minimum-risk Section 25(b) products
differ from those that are EPA registered (section 3)? - ✔✔EPA has produced a list of
minimal risk active and inert ingredients. to be exempt, all of the active and inert
ingredients in a pesticide product must be on this list.
✔✔are minimum risk products exempt from Virginia's state registration requirements? -
✔✔no. all pesticides that are sold or used in the Commonwealth of Virginia must be
registered with VDACS office of pesticide services.
, ✔✔what are emergency (section 18) exemptions> - ✔✔responses to pest problems for
which no pesticides are registered. section 18 exemptions allow the sale and use of a
certain pesticide for a specific nonregistered purpose for a specified period. the four
types of emergency exemptions are: specific, quarantine, public health, and crisis.
✔✔what is a restricted use pesticide? - ✔✔RUPs are pesticides that require special
care and handling. the restricted use designation limits the use of a pesticide product.
RUPs are for sale only to properly certified applicators. only trained persons, or people
under their direct supervision, may handle and apply RUPs.
EPA classifies pesticides RUPs for different reasons. Some are highly toxic to humans.
others may cause long-term health effects. still others are restricted because of an
environmental effect such as ground water pollution.
✔✔what is the difference between the chemical name, common name, and trade
name? which is the most accurate identify the active ingredient? - ✔✔chemical name is
a complex term that identifies the chemical components and structure of a pesticide.
common name is a shorter name that EPA recognizes as a substitute for the chemical
name. best identifier.--ex. glyphosate
a tradename is used by a chemical company to identify the product--- ex. round up
✔✔name and explain the signal words you see on a pesticide label - ✔✔DANGER-
POISON: skull and cross bones- appears on highly toxic pesticides. acute illness
DANGER: highly toxic ex. skin irritant
WARNING: moderately toxic
CAUTION: slightly toxic
✔✔explain the meaning of the statement: " it is a violation of federal law to use this
product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling." - ✔✔it is illegal to use the pesticide in
any way not permitted by the labeling. you must follow ALL directions for use, including
safety, mixing, diluting, storage, and disposal. you may not use higher doses or more
frequently than the label allows. also, you must wear the required PPE.
✔✔if you transfer a pesticide (concentrate or diluted) into another container, do you
have to label the secondary container? - ✔✔YES!
✔✔what is FIFRA - ✔✔Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1947.
FIFRA regulates the registration, manufacture, sale, transportation, and use of
pesticides. it specifies how they must be registered and used, the required training and
certification of applicators, and the classification of RUPs
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔how can you slow down or limit pesticide resistance? - ✔✔1. rotate MOAs
2. use pesticides that target multiple sites in a pest
3. use new or altered pesticides
4. treat alternate generations of pests
5. use non chemical control methods where feasible
✔✔explain the difference between the words "label" and "labeling" - ✔✔The label is the
information printed on tor attached to the pesticide container. labeling includes the label
itself, plus all other info recieved from the manufacturer about the product
✔✔what is registration of a pesticide - ✔✔the ongoing review of a registered pesticide
to assess the risks and benefits associated with its labeled uses. the goal of registration
is to identify and reduce risks, based on current scientific knowledge
✔✔what is a tolerance - ✔✔the max amount of pesticide residue that may remain on
food or reed at harvest or slaughter. tolerance levels are set by EPA. observing
tolerances is crucial in ensuring food safety.
✔✔when and why may a pesticide product be registered for a special local need SLN? -
✔✔if a manufacturer wants to register a pesticide for use only on a regional crop or to
manage a localized pest problem. SLN registrations allow states to expand or limit the
uses of federally registered pesticides within their jurisdictions.
✔✔what is a federal Section 3 registration? - ✔✔an EPA registered product with a label
reviewed and approved by that federal agency. Most pesticides are registered this way.
these have an EPA registration number
✔✔true or false: ALL pesticide products must be registered with EPA. This agency
reviews the labels of ALL pesticide products sold in the US - ✔✔False. Minimum risk
pesticides are exempt from the federal registration process.
✔✔under what conditions may a pesticide be labeled "minimum risk" and thus be
exempt form federal regulations? how do labels of minimum-risk Section 25(b) products
differ from those that are EPA registered (section 3)? - ✔✔EPA has produced a list of
minimal risk active and inert ingredients. to be exempt, all of the active and inert
ingredients in a pesticide product must be on this list.
✔✔are minimum risk products exempt from Virginia's state registration requirements? -
✔✔no. all pesticides that are sold or used in the Commonwealth of Virginia must be
registered with VDACS office of pesticide services.
, ✔✔what are emergency (section 18) exemptions> - ✔✔responses to pest problems for
which no pesticides are registered. section 18 exemptions allow the sale and use of a
certain pesticide for a specific nonregistered purpose for a specified period. the four
types of emergency exemptions are: specific, quarantine, public health, and crisis.
✔✔what is a restricted use pesticide? - ✔✔RUPs are pesticides that require special
care and handling. the restricted use designation limits the use of a pesticide product.
RUPs are for sale only to properly certified applicators. only trained persons, or people
under their direct supervision, may handle and apply RUPs.
EPA classifies pesticides RUPs for different reasons. Some are highly toxic to humans.
others may cause long-term health effects. still others are restricted because of an
environmental effect such as ground water pollution.
✔✔what is the difference between the chemical name, common name, and trade
name? which is the most accurate identify the active ingredient? - ✔✔chemical name is
a complex term that identifies the chemical components and structure of a pesticide.
common name is a shorter name that EPA recognizes as a substitute for the chemical
name. best identifier.--ex. glyphosate
a tradename is used by a chemical company to identify the product--- ex. round up
✔✔name and explain the signal words you see on a pesticide label - ✔✔DANGER-
POISON: skull and cross bones- appears on highly toxic pesticides. acute illness
DANGER: highly toxic ex. skin irritant
WARNING: moderately toxic
CAUTION: slightly toxic
✔✔explain the meaning of the statement: " it is a violation of federal law to use this
product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling." - ✔✔it is illegal to use the pesticide in
any way not permitted by the labeling. you must follow ALL directions for use, including
safety, mixing, diluting, storage, and disposal. you may not use higher doses or more
frequently than the label allows. also, you must wear the required PPE.
✔✔if you transfer a pesticide (concentrate or diluted) into another container, do you
have to label the secondary container? - ✔✔YES!
✔✔what is FIFRA - ✔✔Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1947.
FIFRA regulates the registration, manufacture, sale, transportation, and use of
pesticides. it specifies how they must be registered and used, the required training and
certification of applicators, and the classification of RUPs
