• 67 questions

Iowa Pesticide Applicator Practice Test

Every answer shows the right choice and the Iowa Code section or rule behind it.

What fee does Iowa Code 206.5 set for a commercial applicator's three-year certification?

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Exam mode: 20 questions, no time limit, 16 right to pass (80%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Bank checked October 8, 2026.

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All 67 questions

Licenses and certification 18

  • A commercial applicator wants certification in two categories. How many category examinations does rule 45.22(2)(c) require? 21 IAC 45.22(2)(c), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • A farm employee, not hired solely as an applicator, applies restricted use pesticides as an incidental part of general duties. Which certification must that person meet? Iowa Code 206.5(5), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • A person certified in demonstration and research pest control must also hold what? 21 IAC 45.22(2)(c)(10), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • A private applicator pays how much for a certification that runs up to three years? 21 IAC 45.22(3)(a), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • A public agency employee applies only general use, ready-to-use pesticides. When is that employee exempt from certification under rule 45.22(11)? 21 IAC 45.22(11), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Before the department issues a commercial applicator's license, Iowa Code 206.13 requires the applicant to furnish what? Iowa Code 206.13(1), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
Show all 67 questions (61 more)

Licenses and certification, continued

  • Employees of a private golf course apply pesticides to the course. What does rule 45.22(12) require of them? 21 IAC 45.22(12), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Liability insurance offered as evidence of financial responsibility under Iowa Code 206.13 needs limits of at least what? Iowa Code 206.13(2), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • May an Iowa city adopt its own ordinance on pesticide use, sale or storage? Iowa Code 206.34(2), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • Rule 45.22(2)(b) frees a noncommercial applicator from the financial responsibility requirement if the applicator is which of these? 21 IAC 45.22(2)(b), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Under Iowa Code 206.5(1), a commercial applicator must be certified before applying which pesticides? Iowa Code 206.5(1), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • Under Iowa Code 206.6, who must hold a commercial applicator license from the secretary of agriculture? Iowa Code 206.6(1), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • What fee does Iowa Code 206.5 set for a commercial applicator's three-year certification? Iowa Code 206.5(2)(a), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • What is the most the secretary may charge each year for an Iowa commercial applicator license? Iowa Code 206.6(1), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • What minimum age does rule 45.22 set for both commercial and private applicators? 21 IAC 45.22(2)(d) and 45.22(3)(d), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Which category in rule 45.22(2)(c) covers pesticide use on public roads, electric power lines, pipelines and railroad rights-of-way? 21 IAC 45.22(2)(c)(6), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Which government workers does Iowa Code 206.6(6) exempt from the public applicator licensing requirement? Iowa Code 206.6(6)(b), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • Wood-destroying insect inspections for real estate transactions fall under which subcategory of rule 45.22(2)(c)(7)? 21 IAC 45.22(2)(c)(7), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08

Exams and renewal 15

  • A candidate passes an Iowa certification examination but does not finish certification or pay the fee. How long does the score stay valid? 21 IAC 45.22(1)(a), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • A commercial applicator adds a category to a current certification. When does the added category expire? 21 IAC 45.22(1)(b), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • A commercial applicator misses the two hours of approved instruction in one year of the renewal period. What does rule 45.22(4)(b) then require? 21 IAC 45.22(4)(b), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • A license renewal application is not filed before January 1. What delinquent fee does Iowa Code 206.10 add? Iowa Code 206.10(1), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • A person completes initial certification on October 20. When does the renewal period begin? 21 IAC 45.22(5)(c), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • A private applicator plans to buy a restricted use soil fumigant. What does rule 45.22(3)(c) add to the private certification examination? 21 IAC 45.22(3)(c), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • After initial certification, how may an Iowa applicator renew without retesting? Iowa Code 206.5(2)(b), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • An applicator attends four hours of approved instruction in one year of the renewal period. Do the extra hours count toward the next year? 21 IAC 45.22(5)(d), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • How long is one in-person exam session at a department test site, and how many exams may an examinee take in it? Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, guidance for in-person pesticide exam sites, read 2026-10-08
  • How often does a commercial applicator's license classification expire? 21 IAC 45.22(4)(a), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • What happens to a person who tries to use unauthorized assistance to pass an Iowa certification examination? 21 IAC 45.22(4)(c), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • What must every examinee bring to a department in-person exam site? Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, guidance for in-person pesticide exam sites, read 2026-10-08
  • When does a commercial applicator's certification expire? 21 IAC 45.22(4)(b), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • When does the renewal period for a private applicator end? 21 IAC 45.22(5)(b), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Which examination option did Iowa's rule changes of January 1, 2026 discontinue? Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, New Certified Private and Commercial Applicator Standards, read 2026-10-08

Supervision and handlers 12

  • A food processing plant runs a department-approved training program with a certified supervisor. What may its exempt employees not apply? Iowa Code 206.5(6), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • A noncertified applicator may not use a restricted use pesticide that contains which active ingredients? 21 IAC 45.22(7)(d), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • For how long after initial employment may a new applicator apply pesticides without certification, if directly supervised by a certified applicator? Iowa Code 206.5(3), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • How long is the grace period for a new employee to meet the certified handler requirements? 21 IAC 45.22(8)(c), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • How long must a commercial applicator keep records of a noncertified applicator's qualifications? 21 IAC 45.22(15), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • How recently must a noncertified applicator have been instructed in the safe operation of mixing, loading, transferring or application equipment? 21 IAC 45.22(7)(e), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • In Iowa Code 206.5(3), what does "under the direct supervision of" a certified applicator require? Iowa Code 206.5(3), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • May a certified handler supervise other certified handlers? 21 IAC 45.22(8)(f), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • What certification must the supervising applicator hold when a noncertified applicator uses a restricted use pesticide? 21 IAC 45.22(7)(g), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Which employee of a licensed applicator or pesticide dealer must become a certified handler? 21 IAC 45.22(8)(a), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Which restricted use pesticide work is closed to a noncertified applicator even under direct supervision? 21 IAC 45.22(7)(c), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • While pesticide applications are being made, how often must an aerial applicator consultant meet in person with the aerial applicator? 21 IAC 45.22(14)(b)(5), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08

Records, dealers and reports 11

  • A dealer had $100,000 or more in gross retail pesticide sales last year. How is the annual license fee figured? Iowa Code 206.8(2)(b), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • A growing crop is alleged to have been damaged by a pesticide application. By what point must the damage report be filed? Iowa Code 206.14(2)(a), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • A pesticide dealer sells from three outlets in Iowa. How many dealer licenses does Iowa Code 206.8 require? Iowa Code 206.8(1), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • An employee recommends a pesticide use that is contrary to the label. Who answers for that recommendation under rule 45.49? 21 IAC 45.49, Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • By what date each year must the annual report of pesticide sales reach the department? 21 IAC 45.47, Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • For an application to an outdoor area, which weather facts does rule 45.26(3) put in the record, if applicable? 21 IAC 45.26(3)(g), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • How long must a dealer keep the record of a restricted use pesticide made available to an uncertified person for a certified applicator's use? 21 IAC 45.26(2), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • How long must an Iowa commercial applicator keep pesticide application records? Iowa Code 206.15, Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • When may a dealership make a restricted use pesticide available to an uncertified person? 21 IAC 45.26(2), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Which of these must a commercial applicator's record of an application include under rule 45.26(3)? 21 IAC 45.26(3)(i), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Within how many days after the alleged date of damage must a person claiming damage from a pesticide application file a report with the secretary? Iowa Code 206.14(2)(a), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08

Posting, bees and penalties 11

  • A city sprays for mosquitoes in a public health program. When is it exempt from posting signs? 21 IAC 45.50(5), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • A commercial applicator treats a lawn in an Iowa city. For how long after the application must the notification signs stay up? 21 IAC 45.50, Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Apart from two sections the law names as exceptions, a violation of Iowa Code chapter 206 is what grade of offense? Iowa Code 206.22(2), Iowa Code 2026, read 2026-10-08
  • Between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., a commercial applicator may not apply a pesticide labeled as toxic to bees to a blooming crop within what distance of a registered apiary? 21 IAC 45.31(2), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • How soon must a civil penalty be paid after the order assessing it becomes final? 21 IAC 45.101(5), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • What is the largest civil penalty rule 45.101 allows against a pesticide applicator for one violation? 21 IAC 45.101(4), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • What is the smallest lawn notification sign rule 45.50(6) allows, and how tall must its letters be? 21 IAC 45.50(6)(c), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Where must a golf course post its pesticide notice under rule 45.50(2)? 21 IAC 45.50(2), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Where on a residential lawn does rule 45.50(1) put the notification sign? 21 IAC 45.50(1)(b), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Which application is outside the urban notification rule? 21 IAC 45.50, Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08
  • Which wording does rule 45.50(6) require on a notification sign, besides the applicator's name and telephone number? 21 IAC 45.50(6)(b), Iowa Administrative Code rule text effective 2026-01-01, read 2026-10-08

How this list was compiled: Our own questions on Iowa Code chapter 206, the Pesticide Act of Iowa (Iowa Code 2026, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/206.pdf), and Iowa Administrative Code 21, chapter 45 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/21.45.pdf, rule text effective 2026-01-01), both read 2026-10-08. Exam format facts are from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Pesticide Bureau (https://iowaagriculture.gov/pesticide-bureau/applicator-licensing-certification, read 2026-10-08); the 80 percent passing score is from its exam sign-up page (https://data.iowaagriculture.gov/pest_signup/, read 2026-10-08). Each question names the section its answer was read from and links to it. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site. The statutes and rules they describe are public law of the State of Iowa.

How it works

This unofficial Iowa pesticide applicator practice test asks 67 questions of our own on Iowa Code chapter 206 and the chapter 45 rules: licenses, exams, supervision, records and posting. It is not affiliated with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Read the full guide

What the real exams ask

Rule 45.22 requires a separate exam for each commercial category and names the subjects: label reading, safety, calibration, groundwater and legal responsibility. This page practices the legal part. The federal label and worker protection rules are on the pesticide applicator practice test.

Private and commercial

Chapter 206 binds both kinds of applicator, so the bank serves as an Iowa private pesticide applicator practice test and as practice for the Iowa commercial pesticide applicator test. A rule that binds only one says so in the question.

Exam mode

Exam mode draws 20 questions, our number, and marks a pass at 80 percent, the passing score the department's exam sign-up page gives for commercial certifications. The department gives no question count.

  • Three numbers recur: 21 days of supervised work before certification, three-year certifications, records kept three years.
  • Urban posting signs stay up 24 hours; the civil penalty stops at $500 a violation.

Questions and answers

Is this the real Iowa pesticide applicator test?

No. It is unofficial practice written for this site from Iowa Code chapter 206 and 21 IAC chapter 45. The real exams are given by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and none of their questions are here.

Does this replace an Iowa pesticide applicator study guide?

No. The department sends candidates to the training manuals in the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach store. Use this page to check what you remember of the state law after reading them.

Is there an Iowa pesticide applicator license practice test?

This is it, with one correction. In the department's words, the pesticide applicator is certified and the pesticide company is licensed. Questions on the license are about the business; questions on certification are about you.

How long does Iowa pesticide applicator certification last?

Three years. A commercial certification expires December 31 of the third year under rule 45.22(4). It is renewed by passing an exam or by two hours of approved continuing instruction each year.

How long is an Iowa pesticide exam session?

The department's in-person sessions run 90 minutes, and one examinee may take up to four exams in a session. Bring a government-issued photo ID. Scores come by email within two business days.

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