• 56 questions

South Dakota Commercial Applicators Practice Test

Every answer shows the right choice and the South Dakota statute or rule section behind it.

The no-compensation exemption in SDCL 38-21-37 covers ornamental shrubs and trees up to what height?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 20 questions, no time limit, 14 right to pass (70%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

Next step Federal rules: pesticide applicator practice testAnother EPA rule bank: EPA 608 practice test

All 56 questions

Licenses and exemptions 16

  • A commercial applicator licensed for agricultural land wants to treat property the applicator owns. Is a private applicator's license needed under SDCL 38-21-58? SDCL 38-21-58, read 2026-10-12
  • A private applicator is issued a commercial applicator's license. What happens to the private license under SDCL 38-21-34? SDCL 38-21-34, read 2026-10-12
  • A producer uses only pesticides that are not restricted-use to grow a commodity. Above what yearly gross sales potential does SDCL 38-21-14 make that producer a private applicator? SDCL 38-21-14(20)(a), read 2026-10-12
  • How does SDCL 38-21-14 define a commercial applicator? SDCL 38-21-14(5), read 2026-10-12
  • How many applicator's licenses may one applicator hold at the same time under SDCL 38-21-34? SDCL 38-21-34, read 2026-10-12
  • How may the secretary limit an applicant's license under SDCL 38-21-22? SDCL 38-21-22, read 2026-10-12
  • The no-compensation exemption in SDCL 38-21-37 covers ornamental shrubs and trees up to what height? SDCL 38-21-37, read 2026-10-12
  • Under ARSD 12:56:04:15, an aerial commercial applicator working agricultural land or rights-of-way must be certified for what? ARSD 12:56:04:15, read 2026-10-12
  • What does the Department say about supervisory applications in South Dakota? South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Pesticide Applicators and Dealers page, read 2026-10-12
Show all 56 questions (47 more)

Licenses and exemptions, continued

  • What fee does SDCL 38-21-17 set for each commercial applicator license? SDCL 38-21-17, read 2026-10-12
  • What is the most the secretary may set by rule as a private applicator's license fee under SDCL 38-21-23? SDCL 38-21-23, read 2026-10-12
  • What may a person without a license issued under chapter 38-21 not buy, under SDCL 38-21-39.3? SDCL 38-21-39.3, read 2026-10-12
  • What must an applicant for a license to engage in aerial application have met under SDCL 38-21-20? SDCL 38-21-20, read 2026-10-12
  • When does a private applicator's license expire under SDCL 38-21-23.1? SDCL 38-21-23.1, read 2026-10-12
  • When does a South Dakota commercial applicator's license expire under SDCL 38-21-17.1? SDCL 38-21-17.1, read 2026-10-12
  • Which act requires a commercial applicator's license under SDCL 38-21-17? SDCL 38-21-17(3), read 2026-10-12

Exams and certification 15

  • A license has expired and was not renewed before the expiration. What does SDCL 38-21-42 require for a new license? SDCL 38-21-42, read 2026-10-12
  • A person holds a current valid license. When may a new examination be required at renewal under SDCL 38-21-42? SDCL 38-21-42, read 2026-10-12
  • A person who passed the dealer license examination skips the certification shortcourse. How often must it be attended to avoid retesting under ARSD 12:56:10:04? ARSD 12:56:10:04, read 2026-10-12
  • By when does the Department say commercial certification and licensure must be recertified and renewed? South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Pesticide Applicators and Dealers page, read 2026-10-12
  • How may a private applicator be certified under ARSD 12:56:12:02? ARSD 12:56:12:02, read 2026-10-12
  • How often must certification be maintained after the initial certification under ARSD 12:56:05:01? ARSD 12:56:05:01, read 2026-10-12
  • How soon may an applicant who fails a certification examination be reexamined under ARSD 12:56:05:03? ARSD 12:56:05:03, read 2026-10-12
  • On what basis may the secretary waive an examination requirement under SDCL 38-21-41? SDCL 38-21-41, read 2026-10-12
  • What may take the place of a renewal examination under ARSD 12:56:05:01? ARSD 12:56:05:01, read 2026-10-12
  • What must an application for an applicator license state about the method of application under ARSD 12:56:05:06? ARSD 12:56:05:06(5), read 2026-10-12
  • What must commercial applicators demonstrate under ARSD 12:56:05:05? ARSD 12:56:05:05, read 2026-10-12
  • What must the secretary consider in setting standards for the certification of applicators under SDCL 38-21-18? SDCL 38-21-18, read 2026-10-12
  • What score passes the written examination for initial certification under ARSD 12:56:05:02? ARSD 12:56:05:02, read 2026-10-12
  • Which exams does the Department say every commercial tester must take? South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Pesticide Applicators and Dealers page, read 2026-10-12
  • Which use do the general standards in ARSD 12:56:05:04 say requires additional certification? ARSD 12:56:05:04(7)(e), read 2026-10-12

Records and dealers 11

  • By when must an applicator have all pesticide application records completed and available for inspection under ARSD 12:56:07:02? ARSD 12:56:07:02, read 2026-10-12
  • For which applications does ARSD 12:56:07:01 drop the weather conditions requirement? ARSD 12:56:07:01(9), read 2026-10-12
  • How long must a licensed pesticide dealer keep records of restricted-use pesticide sales under ARSD 12:56:10:07? ARSD 12:56:10:07, read 2026-10-12
  • How long must an applicator keep the application records required by ARSD 12:56:07:01? ARSD 12:56:07:03, read 2026-10-12
  • How often may the department ordinarily require an applicator to furnish a summary for the preceding year under ARSD 12:56:07:05? ARSD 12:56:07:05, read 2026-10-12
  • In what form must dealer sales records be maintained under ARSD 12:56:10:06? ARSD 12:56:10:06, read 2026-10-12
  • Someone who is not a certified applicator picks up a restricted-use pesticide for one. What does the Department require? South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Pesticide Applicators and Dealers page, read 2026-10-12
  • What does SDCL 38-21-53 allow the secretary to do in performing duties under the chapter? SDCL 38-21-53, read 2026-10-12
  • What must a commercial applicator provide to a customer upon written request under ARSD 12:56:07:04? ARSD 12:56:07:04, read 2026-10-12
  • What must a dealer's record of a restricted-use sale show about the applicator under ARSD 12:56:10:06? ARSD 12:56:10:06(2), read 2026-10-12
  • Which weather details must an application record include under ARSD 12:56:07:01? ARSD 12:56:07:01(9), read 2026-10-12

Violations, penalties and damage claims 14

  • A claimant fails to allow the applicator onto the property to examine alleged damage. What follows under SDCL 38-21-47? SDCL 38-21-47, read 2026-10-12
  • A person is told the secretary contemplates a referral for criminal proceedings. How long is there to present views under SDCL 38-21-44.1? SDCL 38-21-44.1, read 2026-10-12
  • Does following the rules relieve a person of liability for pesticide damage under SDCL 38-21-45? SDCL 38-21-45, read 2026-10-12
  • How many representatives of the applicator must a claimant allow onto the property to examine alleged damage under SDCL 38-21-47? SDCL 38-21-47, read 2026-10-12
  • How must a person claiming pesticide damages notify the applicator under SDCL 38-21-46? SDCL 38-21-46, read 2026-10-12
  • What grade of offense is acting as a commercial applicator without a license under SDCL 38-21-17? SDCL 38-21-17, read 2026-10-12
  • What is the most civil penalty per violation for acting as a commercial applicator without a license? SDCL 38-21-17, read 2026-10-12
  • What must come before a license is suspended or revoked under SDCL 38-21-44? SDCL 38-21-44, read 2026-10-12
  • Which act is a violation listed in SDCL 38-21-44? SDCL 38-21-44(12), read 2026-10-12
  • Which of these does SDCL 38-21-44 list as a violation? SDCL 38-21-44(4), read 2026-10-12
  • Who imposes the civil penalty under SDCL 38-21-17? SDCL 38-21-17, read 2026-10-12
  • Whose acts is a pesticide dealer responsible for under the civil penalty provisions of SDCL 38-21-39.2? SDCL 38-21-39.2, read 2026-10-12
  • Within what time may a person report pesticide damage or an incident to the secretary under SDCL 38-21-16? SDCL 38-21-16, read 2026-10-12
  • Within what time must the applicator be notified of alleged damage to a growing crop under SDCL 38-21-46? SDCL 38-21-46, read 2026-10-12

How this list was compiled: Our own questions on SDCL chapter 38-21, Agricultural Pesticide Application (https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/38-21), and ARSD article 12:56, Pesticides (https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/12:56), both read 2026-10-12. Exam format facts are from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Pesticide Applicators and Dealers page (https://danr.sd.gov/Agriculture/Inspection/Pesticide/ApplicatorsDealers/default.aspx), read 2026-10-12; the 70 percent passing score is from ARSD 12:56:05:02. 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 South Dakota.

How it works

This unofficial South Dakota commercial applicators practice test asks 56 questions of our own on SDCL chapter 38-21 and ARSD 12:56: licenses, exams, records and penalties. It is not affiliated with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Read the full guide

What the real exams ask

Rule 12:56:05:04 lists the general standards: labels, safety, environment, pests, equipment, methods and laws. This page practices the South Dakota law. The federal label and worker protection rules are on the pesticide applicator practice test.

One license each

The Department does not allow supervisory applications: each person who applies needs their own license. That includes government employees who apply pesticides on duty.

Exam mode

Exam mode draws 20 questions, our number, and marks a pass at 70 percent. The Department's pages give no question count or time limit.

  • Two numbers to keep apart: commercial certification renews every two years, and application records are kept three.
  • A failed certification exam can be retaken three days after notice of the failure.

Questions and answers

Is this the real South Dakota commercial applicator test?

No. It is unofficial practice written for this site from SDCL chapter 38-21 and ARSD article 12:56. The real exams are given for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and none of their questions are here.

What score passes the South Dakota commercial applicator exam?

At least 70 percent. ARSD 12:56:05:02 requires that score on the written examination the department furnishes.

Which exams does a South Dakota commercial applicator take?

The Department says every tester takes the category G General (core) exam plus the certification exams for the applications to be made. Its testing sites page says appointments are required.

How long does a South Dakota commercial applicator license last?

Two years. The Department says certification and licensure are renewed by the end of February of the year they expire, and the license costs $35. SDCL 38-21-17.1 sets expiration at March 31 of the second year.

Is there a South Dakota commercial applicator study guide?

The Department's page names the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual as a useful resource for commercial certification. Use this page to check what you remember of the state law beside it.

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