• 82 questions

Practice Applicator License Test NM

Unofficial practice on New Mexico's pesticide law: every answer names its section of the Pesticide Control Act or 21.17.50 NMAC.

What minimum period does Section 76-4-20(E) set for the validity of a private applicator certification?

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Exam mode: 40 questions, no time limit, 28 right to pass (70%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture or Metro, its testing vendor. Bank checked October 13, 2026.

Next step Federal rules: pesticide applicator practice test

All 82 questions

License types and who needs one 24

  • A new employee works under a training permit. For how long must the commercial applicator or technician present on the application site have been licensed in New Mexico? 21.17.50.20 NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • A pesticide dealer distributes from three outlets in New Mexico. How many dealer licenses does Section 76-4-13(A) require? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-13(A), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • An applicant for a commercial applicator license documents one year of experience. How many college credit hours in biological or agricultural sciences must go with it? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-17(F)(2), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Can an operator/technician training permit be extended? 21.17.50.20 NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • The department shall not issue a commercial applicator license to an applicant convicted of a felony involving fraud within the last how many years? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-17(E)(1), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
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License types and who needs one, continued

  • The department shall not issue a commercial applicator license to an applicant whose earlier license under the act was revoked within the last how many years? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-17(E)(2), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • For how many calendar days may a new employee of a licensed commercial applicator work under an operator/technician training permit? 21.17.50.20 NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • For what purpose does a private applicator use restricted use pesticides under Section 76-4-3(U)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-3(U), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • How much pesticide application experience must an applicant for a commercial applicator license document, where the applicant offers no college credit? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-17(F)(1), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • May a license issued under the Pesticide Control Act be transferred to another person? 21.17.50.14(B) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Under whose direction does the New Mexico Department of Agriculture administer and enforce the Pesticide Control Act? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-2, Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What does Section 76-4-17(A) make unlawful without a commercial pesticide applicator license? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-17(A), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What does Section 76-4-20.1(E) say a noncommercial applicator license does not carry? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-20.1(E), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What does Section 76-4-32 say about the license fee of a person who wants to be licensed in several classifications? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-32, Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What does the department charge for the limited license of a public applicator who has qualified, under Section 76-4-19(B)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-19(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What does the farmer or rancher exemption of Section 76-4-28 not reach? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-28, Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What minimum period does Section 76-4-20(E) set for the validity of a private applicator certification? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-20(E), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • When are government research personnel exempt from the public applicator licensing requirement under Section 76-4-19(B)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-19(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • When does a private applicator certification expire under 21.17.50.9 NMAC? 21.17.50.9(I) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • When does the annual commercial applicator license expire under 21.17.50.9 NMAC? 21.17.50.9(D) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Who is a noncommercial applicator under Section 76-4-3(T)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-3(T), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Who is a pest management consultant under Section 76-4-3(P)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-3(P), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Who needs an operator license under Section 76-4-18(A)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-18(A), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Within how many days must a licensee notify the director in writing of a change of employment or of ownership of the firm? 21.17.50.14(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13

Exams, fees and insurance 16

  • A commercial applicator uses a liability insurance policy as proof of financial responsibility. What does 21.17.50.13 NMAC say of pesticides the policy exempts? 21.17.50.13(B) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • A license is not renewed within how many days after expiration before the licensee must take new certification examinations? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-22(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • An annual license renewal is not filed before the prior license expires. What is the renewal fee under Section 76-4-22(B)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-22(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • An applicant has not completed all license requirements within how many days of the original application before being treated as a new applicant? 21.17.50.18(B) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • How far ahead must the director be notified in writing by the issuing company of a reduction or cancellation of insurance coverage? 21.17.50.21(D) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What amount does 21.17.50.22 NMAC set where a surety bond is the proof of financial responsibility? 21.17.50.22(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What does 21.17.50.18 NMAC ask of an applicant who fails a required examination and wants to take it again? 21.17.50.18(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What examination fee does 21.17.50.25 NMAC set for each examination needed to qualify? 21.17.50.25(I) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What grade is passing on all examinations under 21.17.50.18 NMAC? 21.17.50.18(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What happens to an applicator license when the surety bond or insurance policy is reduced below the requirements, under Section 76-4-24(B)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-24(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What is the annual commercial applicator license fee under 21.17.50.25 NMAC? 21.17.50.25(D) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What is the annual operator/agricultural pilot/serviceman license fee under 21.17.50.25 NMAC? 21.17.50.25(E) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What is the maximum deductible, where one applies, under the minimum coverage requirements of 21.17.50.22 NMAC? 21.17.50.22(B)(3) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What is the private applicator certification fee, or the fee for its renewal, under 21.17.50.25 NMAC? 21.17.50.25(G) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What must an applicant furnish before the department issues a commercial pesticide applicator license, under Section 76-4-24? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-24, Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Who is not required to pay the examination fee under Section 76-4-16? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-16, Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13

Use, equipment and storage 17

  • A piece of equipment fails inspection. When may it go back into service under Section 76-4-26(B)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-26(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • How are waste pesticide containers to be disposed of under 21.17.50.23 NMAC? 21.17.50.23(D) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • How often does Section 76-4-26(A) have the department provide for inspection of equipment a commercial pesticide applicator uses to apply pesticides? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-26(A), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • In what container must a pesticide be when it is distributed, under Section 76-4-5(A)(3)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-5(A)(3), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • In which languages must the warning signs be on enclosed, secured areas where commercial pesticide applicators store pesticides? 21.17.50.23(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • The same equipment has applied a herbicide and will next apply an insecticide. What does 21.17.50.11 NMAC require? 21.17.50.11(C) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What does 21.17.50.12 NMAC require of licensed certified applicators as to protective equipment? 21.17.50.12 NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What does 21.17.50.13 NMAC call the application of a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with the directions on its approved label? 21.17.50.13(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What does Section 76-4-9.1 say of city and county ordinances on the sale, use or application of pesticides? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-9.1, Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What does the license plate or decal that identifies each licensed apparatus cost the licensee under Section 76-4-27? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-27, Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What must the label affixed to a service container show under 21.17.50.11 NMAC? 21.17.50.11(I) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • When does the definition of direct supervision in 21.17.50.7 NMAC call for the actual physical presence of a certified applicator? 21.17.50.7(H) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • When may portable application equipment containing pesticide be left unattended on a service vehicle? 21.17.50.11(J) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Where may pesticides intended for distribution or sale not be displayed under 21.17.50.15 NMAC? 21.17.50.15(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Which telephone number must be legibly marked on bait boxes and watering stations placed by commercial, non-commercial and public applicators? 21.17.50.11(G) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Which way of disposing of pesticide waste does 21.17.50.23 NMAC forbid in New Mexico? 21.17.50.23(G) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Who may apply restricted-use pesticides under 21.17.50.13 NMAC? 21.17.50.13(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13

Records, dealers and vehicles 11

  • For how long must pesticide application records be kept under 21.17.50.10 NMAC? 21.17.50.10(C) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • For which application does 21.17.50.10 NMAC not require a record of wind direction, wind velocity and temperature? 21.17.50.10(A)(5) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • For whose acts is a pesticide dealer responsible under Section 76-4-13(D)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-13(D), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • How high, at the least, must the letters and numerals marked on a service vehicle be? 21.17.50.16(B) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What does 21.17.50.17 NMAC require each applicant for a pesticide dealer license for outlets within New Mexico to provide? 21.17.50.17(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • What must be marked on all service vehicles a commercial applicator uses, under 21.17.50.16 NMAC? 21.17.50.16(A) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • When does Section 76-4-33(C) give the department access to the records licensees must keep? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-33(C), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • When must a customer be given a record of each application of pesticide applied to his land, under 21.17.50.10 NMAC? 21.17.50.10(D) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Which item belongs in a dealer's record of the sale of a restricted-use pesticide under 21.17.50.17 NMAC? 21.17.50.17(B) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Who, besides a licensed certified applicator, may receive and transport restricted-use pesticides from a dealer under 21.17.50.17 NMAC? 21.17.50.17(D) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Within what time after a pesticide is applied must the application record be completed and available to the department? 21.17.50.10(B) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13

Violations, penalties and claims 14

  • A claimant will not permit the department and the licensee to observe the lands said to be damaged. What does Section 76-4-25(E) say follows? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-25(E), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • A growing crop is alleged to have been damaged. Before what share of that crop is harvested must the report of loss be filed, unless the damage was not then known? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-25(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • An applicator's use of a pesticide conforms to the board's rules and still damages the land of another. What does Section 76-4-24(C) say of liability? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-24(C), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Does the failure to file a report of loss bar a court action, under Section 76-4-25(C)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-25(C), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • During what period shall the director not consider any license application by an individual, under 21.17.50.18 NMAC? 21.17.50.18(C) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Of what is a person who violates the Pesticide Control Act or the board's regulations guilty, under Section 76-4-34(A)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-34(A), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • On what footing may the department enter public or private premises under Section 76-4-31(A)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-31(A), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What is the most the civil penalty of Section 76-4-34(B) may be for each violation? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-34(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • What supervision must a business that applies a pesticide on the land of another have, under Section 76-4-23(B)(9)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-23(B)(9), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Which of these is a violation of the Pesticide Control Act under Section 76-4-23(B)(12)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-23(B)(12), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Which of these warrants the director's review of a certification, license or permit under 21.17.50.19 NMAC? 21.17.50.19(D) NMAC, 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes, read 2026-10-13
  • Who may assess the civil penalty of Section 76-4-34(B)? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-34(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Within how many days from the time loss or damage becomes known must a person file the verified report of loss with the department? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-25(B), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13
  • Within how many days of receiving the certified letter may a person whose license was denied, suspended or revoked request a hearing? NMSA 1978, Section 76-4-23(C), Pesticide Control Act, on NMOneSource, the official compilation, read 2026-10-13

How this list was compiled: Our own questions on the Pesticide Control Act, NMSA 1978, Sections 76-4-1 to 76-4-39, on NMOneSource, the official compilation (https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4424/index.do), and on 21.17.50 NMAC, Pesticides, effective October 7, 2025, in the copy the New Mexico Department of Agriculture publishes (https://nmdeptag.nmsu.edu/media/pdf/pesticides-nmac-21.17.50.pdf), both read 2026-10-13. Exam facts on the page are from the department's licensing pages (https://nmdeptag.nmsu.edu/pesticides/nm-pesticide-licensing.html), read 2026-10-13. Each question names the section its answer was read from and links to its source. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site. The statutes and rules they describe are public law of the State of New Mexico.

How it works

This unofficial New Mexico pesticide applicator license practice test asks 82 questions of our own on the Pesticide Control Act and 21.17.50 NMAC. It is not affiliated with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture or Metro, its testing vendor.

Read the full guide

Which exams New Mexico gives

Public applicators pass the National Core Exam and category exams for their work, the department says. Its study page names the National Core Manual for the Core exam and, for the operator exam, its NM Pesticide Law Summary with eight Core Manual chapters.

What this bank covers

This bank is the state law: who needs which license, fees, insurance, equipment, storage, records and penalties. Federal label and worker protection rules are on the pesticide applicator practice test.

The 60 days

An applicant who has not finished all license requirements within 60 days of the original application starts again as a new applicant, by 21.17.50.18 NMAC. The department says that means taking all the exams again. A mock exam here is 40 questions, our number.

  • Annual licenses expire January 31 following issuance; a private applicator certification runs to January 31 five years after the year of issuance.
  • Application records are finished within 24 hours and kept two years.
  • Proposed amendments to 21.17.50 NMAC carry an effective date of April 1, 2027. Until then this bank follows the rule in force.

Questions and answers

Is this the real New Mexico pesticide applicator license test?

No. It is unofficial practice written for this site from the Pesticide Control Act and 21.17.50 NMAC. The real exams are given for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, and none of their questions are here.

What score passes the New Mexico pesticide applicator exams?

A grade of 70 is passing on all examinations, by 21.17.50.18 NMAC. The department's Private Applicators page says the same of its exam: 70 percent or better.

How much do the New Mexico pesticide exams cost?

The department's pages say its testing vendor charges $55 per exam, and that an exam given by department staff costs $20, paid by check or money order. Public applicators pay no fee for a staff-given exam.

What pesticide license types does New Mexico have?

The department lists commercial applicators, commercial operator/technicians, private applicators, public applicators, noncommercial applicators, pest management consultants, public consultants and pesticide dealers. Anyone who applies any pesticide for hire is a commercial applicator.

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