• 63 questions

Pesticide Applicator Practice Test on Federal Rules

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What is the smallest type size in which required label text may be set?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the U.S. EPA or any state, tribal or federal certifying authority. Bank checked October 4, 2026.

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All 63 questions

The label 15

  • A label gives directions for diluting the product with water before use. Which toxicity must the signal word reflect? 40 CFR 156.64(b)(2), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • A pesticide product meets the criteria of Toxicity Category I by any route of exposure. Which signal word must its front panel bear? 40 CFR 156.64(a)(1), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • A product falls in Toxicity Category IV by every route of exposure. What does the labeling rule say about a signal word for it? 40 CFR 156.64(a)(4), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • A product has one active ingredient, and that ingredient is in toxicity category I under the restricted-entry criteria. What restricted-entry interval does the labeling rule set? 40 CFR 156.208(c)(2), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Besides the product registration number, which other number must every pesticide label show? 40 CFR 156.10(a)(1), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • For a product assigned to Toxicity Category I by any route of exposure, where must the first aid statement appear? 40 CFR 156.68(d), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
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The label, continued

  • The highest category a pesticide product meets by any exposure route is Toxicity Category II. Its label then carries which of these? 40 CFR 156.64(a)(2), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • How many Toxicity Categories for acute hazards does the labeling rule set up, and which one is the highest? 40 CFR 156.62, eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • In the acute toxicity table, an oral LD50 of up to and including 50 mg/kg puts a product in which Toxicity Category for that route? 40 CFR 156.62, eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • On a label that carries worker protection statements, which Spanish signal word is used for a product in toxicity category I? 40 CFR 156.206(e), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Under which label heading does the statement "Use this product only in accordance with its labeling and with the Worker Protection Standard, 40 CFR part 170" belong? 40 CFR 156.206(b)(1), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What is the smallest type size in which required label text may be set? 40 CFR 156.10(a)(2)(ii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • When must the word Poison and the skull and crossbones symbol appear on a label? 40 CFR 156.64(a)(1), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Where on the label must the statement "Restricted Use Pesticide" appear for a product with uses classified restricted? 40 CFR 156.10(j)(2)(i), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Which statement is the child hazard warning that each pesticide product must bear on the front panel, unless EPA waives or changes it? 40 CFR 156.66(a), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04

Certification 15

  • According to the core standards for commercial applicators, what is it to use a registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling? 40 CFR 171.103(c)(1)(iii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • By which two routes does 40 CFR 171.107 let a certified applicator be found eligible for recertification? 40 CFR 171.107(b), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • In 40 CFR 171.3, what does compatibility mean? 40 CFR 171.3, eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • In the safety part of the core standards, a pesticide's risk is described as a function of which two things? 40 CFR 171.103(c)(2)(ii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • In what form must the examination for commercial applicator certification be presented and answered? 40 CFR 171.103(a)(2)(i), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Restricted use pesticides are used in and around food handling establishments, human dwellings, schools and warehouses. Which commercial category applies? 40 CFR 171.101(g), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Under 40 CFR 171.3, what makes a product a restricted use pesticide? 40 CFR 171.3, eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Unless the applicator is recertified, when does a commercial or private applicator certification expire under the federal standard? 40 CFR 171.107(a), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What does 40 CFR 171.3 call measuring the output of application equipment and adjusting it to establish a specific rate of dispersal? 40 CFR 171.3, eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What is the minimum age for a commercial applicator under the federal certification standards? 40 CFR 171.103(a)(1), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What must each person seeking certification present at the time of the examination? 40 CFR 171.103(a)(2)(iii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Which commercial category covers the maintenance of roadsides, powerlines, pipelines and railway rights-of-way? 40 CFR 171.101(f), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Which commercial certification category covers restricted use pesticides applied by fixed or rotary wing aircraft? 40 CFR 171.101(o), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Which reference materials may a candidate use during the certification examination? 40 CFR 171.103(a)(2)(ix), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Who may proctor a certification examination under the federal examination standards? 40 CFR 171.103(a)(2)(ii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04

Supervision and records 15

  • A 16-year-old may use a restricted use pesticide as a noncertified applicator only under whose direct supervision? 40 CFR 171.201(b)(2)(iii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • A noncertified applicator qualified by taking the training program of 40 CFR 171.201(d). Which item must the record of that training contain? 40 CFR 171.201(e)(1)(i), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • A noncertified applicator qualifies through the training program of 40 CFR 171.201(d). How recently must that training have been given before he or she uses a restricted use pesticide? 40 CFR 171.201(c)(1), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • During the use of a restricted use pesticide, what access to the product labeling must the certified applicator ensure for a noncertified applicator? 40 CFR 171.201(b)(3)(i), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • For a State certification plan, how long must commercial applicators be required to keep routine records of their restricted use pesticide applications? 40 CFR 171.303(b)(7)(vi), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • For how long must a commercial applicator have access to the records showing a noncertified applicator's qualifications? 40 CFR 171.201(e)(3), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • How often must the certified applicator ensure that the equipment a noncertified applicator uses for mixing, loading, transferring or applying is in proper operating condition? 40 CFR 171.201(b)(3)(iv), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • In what categories must a certified applicator be certified before supervising a noncertified applicator's use of a restricted use pesticide? 40 CFR 171.201(b)(1)(ii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • To which of these persons do the direct supervision requirements of 40 CFR 171.201 not apply? 40 CFR 171.201(f), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Under 40 CFR 171.303, where must a restricted use pesticide retail dealer keep its records of each sale, and for how long? 40 CFR 171.303(b)(7)(vii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What is the general minimum age for a noncertified applicator who uses a restricted use pesticide under the direct supervision of a certified applicator? 40 CFR 171.201(b)(2)(iii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What must be available between a certified applicator and each noncertified applicator working under his or her direct supervision? 40 CFR 171.201(b)(3)(v), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • When must the supervising certified applicator be physically present at the site of the use being supervised? 40 CFR 171.201(b)(3)(vi), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Which item is on the list of what a commercial applicator's record of a restricted use pesticide application must contain under 40 CFR 171.303? 40 CFR 171.303(b)(7)(vi), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Which person meets one of the criteria in 40 CFR 171.201(d)(2) to conduct training for noncertified applicators? 40 CFR 171.201(d)(2), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04

Worker protection 18

  • A handler is applying a pesticide and a worker walks into the application exclusion zone. What must the handler do? 40 CFR 170.505(b)(1), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • A handler is working with a product that has the skull-and-crossbones symbol on the front panel of its label. How often must the handler be monitored visually or by voice? 40 CFR 170.505(c), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • A pesticide is applied aerially to an outdoor production area. How far does the application exclusion zone extend horizontally from the point of discharge? 40 CFR 170.405(a)(1)(i), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • A pesticide whose labeling requires a restricted-entry interval greater than 48 hours is applied to an outdoor production area. How must the agricultural employer notify workers? 40 CFR 170.409(a)(1)(ii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • As a general rule, how close to where workers are working must their decontamination supplies be? 40 CFR 170.411(d), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • As a general rule, within what time after the end of the application or of any restricted-entry interval, whichever is later, must warning signs be removed or covered? 40 CFR 170.409(b)(1)(iv), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • At the start of each work period, at least how much water per worker must the decontamination supplies for workers include? 40 CFR 170.411(b), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Before a worker performs a task in a treated area where a pesticide was used within the last 30 days, how recently must the worker have received pesticide safety training? 40 CFR 170.401(a), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Handlers get decontamination supplies too. What is the least amount of water that must be on hand for each handler when the handler begins a work period? 40 CFR 170.509(b), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • How soon after the end of an application must the pesticide application and hazard information for the product be displayed? 40 CFR 170.311(b)(5), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • If separable glove liners are worn under chemical-resistant gloves, when must they be discarded? 40 CFR 170.507(b)(5)(iii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Outdoors, a pesticide is sprayed from more than 12 inches above the soil with nozzles that produce medium or larger droplets. How far does the application exclusion zone extend? 40 CFR 170.405(a)(1)(ii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Two pesticides with different restricted-entry intervals are applied to the same treated area at the same time. Which interval applies? 40 CFR 170.407(c), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What does 40 CFR 170.305 call the area around the point of pesticide discharge that must generally be free of all persons during an application? 40 CFR 170.305, eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What is the earliest that treated area warning signs may be posted before a scheduled pesticide application? 40 CFR 170.409(b)(1)(ii), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • What is the minimum age the agricultural employer must ensure for any handler and any early entry worker? 40 CFR 170.309(c), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Which of these is a handler activity under the definition in 40 CFR 170.305? 40 CFR 170.305, eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04
  • Which words must be at the bottom of the standard worker warning sign? 40 CFR 170.409(b)(2)(i), eCFR text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04

How this list was compiled: Our own questions on three parts of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations as shown on the eCFR (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40, text dated 2026-10-01, read 2026-10-04): part 156 (labeling requirements for pesticides), part 170 (the worker protection standard, sections 170.301 to 170.609) and part 171 (certification of pesticide applicators). 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 regulations they describe are works of the United States Government.

How it works

This unofficial pesticide applicator practice test holds 63 questions of our own on three federal rules: pesticide labeling (40 CFR part 156), the worker protection standard (part 170) and applicator certification (part 171). Each explanation names its section.

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What is left out

No question comes from a real exam or a study manual, and no exam length or pass mark is implied. State pesticide law, pest identification, calibration arithmetic and product chemistry are not covered.

Four topics

The Start from menu under the question holds the topics: the label, certification, supervision and records, or worker protection. Every answer was read from the eCFR text dated October 1, 2026.

Exam mode

Exam mode draws 20 questions, our number, with no time limit.

  • The signal words run in order of Toxicity Category: DANGER for I, WARNING for II, CAUTION for III.
  • Keep the two water amounts apart: 1 gallon per worker, 3 gallons per handler.
  • After a set, More options lets you ask only the questions you Missed. Clear my progress, in the same place, erases what this browser keeps.

Questions and answers

Is this the real pesticide applicator exam?

No. It is unofficial practice written for this site from federal rules. The real exam is given under a certifying authority's plan, which 40 CFR 171.3 says may be EPA's or a state, tribal or federal agency's, and none of its questions are here.

What do the federal core standards for commercial applicators cover?

40 CFR 171.103(c) lists ten: label and labeling comprehension, safety, environment, pests, pesticides, equipment, application methods, laws and regulations, responsibilities of supervisors of noncertified applicators, and professionalism. This page asks about the label and the rules only.

How old must a pesticide applicator be?

At least 18 years old for a commercial applicator under 40 CFR 171.103(a)(1), and the same for a private applicator under 171.105(g).

How long does a pesticide applicator certification last?

Under 40 CFR 171.107(a) a certification expires five years after issuance unless the applicator is recertified, and a certifying authority may set a shorter period. Your own period is on your certifying agency's site.

Does this page cover my state's pesticide law?

No. Every question is from federal rules in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. For state law, state categories and the exam itself, read your state agency's own material.

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