BRANCH 2: STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL EXAM READY -
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - COMPREHENSIVE
LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
Q1. What does "Branch 2" refer to in structural pest control licensing?
ANSWER Branch 2 refers to the license category covering the control of wood-
destroying pests and organisms, including termites, wood-boring beetles, and
wood-decay fungi.
Q2. Which agency regulates structural pest control in most U.S. states?
ANSWER The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) or the equivalent state
agricultural/environmental agency regulates structural pest control.
Q3. What is a Structural Pest Control (SPC) license? ANSWER It is a state-
issued credential authorizing an individual or company to legally perform pest
control services on structures.
Q4. What is the difference between a "registered company" and a "licensed
operator"? ANSWER A registered company is a business entity registered to
perform pest control; a licensed operator is the qualified individual responsible
for the company's pest control operations.
Q5. What is required before a pest control company can legally advertise
pest control services? ANSWER The company must hold a valid state
registration and have a licensed Operator of Record on staff.
,Q6. What is the purpose of a pest control inspection report (also called a
Wood Pest Report)? ANSWER It documents findings of wood-destroying
organisms, conditions conducive to infestation, and recommendations for
corrective action.
Q7. How long must pest control inspection reports typically be retained?
ANSWER Most states require retention for a minimum of 2–3 years; California
requires 2 years.
Q8. What is a "completion notice" in structural pest control? ANSWER It is a
document provided to the customer after work is completed, confirming that
the recommended pest control work was performed.
Q9. Who is legally responsible for ensuring pesticide applications are made
correctly at a job site? ANSWER The licensed Operator of Record or the
licensed field representative supervising the work.
Q10. What does "secondary containment" refer to in pesticide storage?
ANSWER A system (such as a berm or tray) that captures pesticide spills to
prevent environmental contamination.
Q11. Can an unlicensed employee apply pesticides under supervision?
ANSWER In most states, unlicensed employees (registered
technicians/apprentices) can apply pesticides only under the direct supervision
of a licensed applicator.
Q12. What is the role of the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB)? ANSWER
The SPCB enforces laws governing structural pest control, issues licenses,
investigates complaints, and disciplines violators.
,Q13. What must a pest control operator provide to a customer before
starting work? ANSWER A written inspection report, a written
proposal/contract, and any required disclosure notices (e.g., pesticide notices).
Q14. What is a "notice of completion"? ANSWER A written document
provided to the property owner after pest control work is finished, listing what
was done.
Q15. What are the three branches of structural pest control in California?
ANSWER Branch 1 (Fumigation), Branch 2 (Wood-Destroying Pests/Organisms),
and Branch 3 (General Pest Control).
Q16. What is a "field representative" in structural pest control? ANSWER A
licensed individual who supervises or performs pest control work in the field
on behalf of a registered company.
Q17. What type of license is needed to fumigate a structure? ANSWER A
Branch 1 (Fumigation) license is required.
Q18. What must be included on a pesticide label? ANSWER EPA registration
number, active ingredients, signal word, directions for use, first aid
instructions, storage/disposal instructions, and precautionary statements.
Q19. What is FIFRA? ANSWER The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act — the primary federal law governing pesticide registration,
sale, and use in the United States.
Q20. What does "restricted-use pesticide" (RUP) mean? ANSWER A pesticide
that can only be purchased and applied by a certified applicator due to its
potential for harm to people or the environment.
, Q21. What information must be in a pest control company's pesticide
application records? ANSWER Date, location, pest treated, pesticide name
and EPA reg. number, amount applied, applicator's name and license number,
and target pest.
Q22. What is the penalty for applying a pesticide in a manner inconsistent
with its label? ANSWER Federal and state law violations, which can result in
fines, license suspension/revocation, and potential criminal charges.
Q23. What does "integrated pest management" (IPM) mean? ANSWER A
sustainable approach combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical
tools to manage pests with minimal risk to people and the environment.
Q24. Who enforces FIFRA at the federal level? ANSWER The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Q25. What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS)? ANSWER A
document providing information on a chemical's hazards, safe handling,
storage, and emergency procedures.
Q26. What does "signal word" on a pesticide label indicate? ANSWER The
relative toxicity of the product: DANGER (highest), WARNING (moderate),
CAUTION (lowest).
Q27. What is required when a pesticide application causes an adverse effect
on a non-target organism or the environment? ANSWER The incident must be
reported to the appropriate state agency and the EPA.
Q28. What is a "pest control recommendation"? ANSWER A written
document identifying the pest problem and recommending specific control
measures, required to be signed by a licensed professional in many states.
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - COMPREHENSIVE
LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
Q1. What does "Branch 2" refer to in structural pest control licensing?
ANSWER Branch 2 refers to the license category covering the control of wood-
destroying pests and organisms, including termites, wood-boring beetles, and
wood-decay fungi.
Q2. Which agency regulates structural pest control in most U.S. states?
ANSWER The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) or the equivalent state
agricultural/environmental agency regulates structural pest control.
Q3. What is a Structural Pest Control (SPC) license? ANSWER It is a state-
issued credential authorizing an individual or company to legally perform pest
control services on structures.
Q4. What is the difference between a "registered company" and a "licensed
operator"? ANSWER A registered company is a business entity registered to
perform pest control; a licensed operator is the qualified individual responsible
for the company's pest control operations.
Q5. What is required before a pest control company can legally advertise
pest control services? ANSWER The company must hold a valid state
registration and have a licensed Operator of Record on staff.
,Q6. What is the purpose of a pest control inspection report (also called a
Wood Pest Report)? ANSWER It documents findings of wood-destroying
organisms, conditions conducive to infestation, and recommendations for
corrective action.
Q7. How long must pest control inspection reports typically be retained?
ANSWER Most states require retention for a minimum of 2–3 years; California
requires 2 years.
Q8. What is a "completion notice" in structural pest control? ANSWER It is a
document provided to the customer after work is completed, confirming that
the recommended pest control work was performed.
Q9. Who is legally responsible for ensuring pesticide applications are made
correctly at a job site? ANSWER The licensed Operator of Record or the
licensed field representative supervising the work.
Q10. What does "secondary containment" refer to in pesticide storage?
ANSWER A system (such as a berm or tray) that captures pesticide spills to
prevent environmental contamination.
Q11. Can an unlicensed employee apply pesticides under supervision?
ANSWER In most states, unlicensed employees (registered
technicians/apprentices) can apply pesticides only under the direct supervision
of a licensed applicator.
Q12. What is the role of the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB)? ANSWER
The SPCB enforces laws governing structural pest control, issues licenses,
investigates complaints, and disciplines violators.
,Q13. What must a pest control operator provide to a customer before
starting work? ANSWER A written inspection report, a written
proposal/contract, and any required disclosure notices (e.g., pesticide notices).
Q14. What is a "notice of completion"? ANSWER A written document
provided to the property owner after pest control work is finished, listing what
was done.
Q15. What are the three branches of structural pest control in California?
ANSWER Branch 1 (Fumigation), Branch 2 (Wood-Destroying Pests/Organisms),
and Branch 3 (General Pest Control).
Q16. What is a "field representative" in structural pest control? ANSWER A
licensed individual who supervises or performs pest control work in the field
on behalf of a registered company.
Q17. What type of license is needed to fumigate a structure? ANSWER A
Branch 1 (Fumigation) license is required.
Q18. What must be included on a pesticide label? ANSWER EPA registration
number, active ingredients, signal word, directions for use, first aid
instructions, storage/disposal instructions, and precautionary statements.
Q19. What is FIFRA? ANSWER The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act — the primary federal law governing pesticide registration,
sale, and use in the United States.
Q20. What does "restricted-use pesticide" (RUP) mean? ANSWER A pesticide
that can only be purchased and applied by a certified applicator due to its
potential for harm to people or the environment.
, Q21. What information must be in a pest control company's pesticide
application records? ANSWER Date, location, pest treated, pesticide name
and EPA reg. number, amount applied, applicator's name and license number,
and target pest.
Q22. What is the penalty for applying a pesticide in a manner inconsistent
with its label? ANSWER Federal and state law violations, which can result in
fines, license suspension/revocation, and potential criminal charges.
Q23. What does "integrated pest management" (IPM) mean? ANSWER A
sustainable approach combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical
tools to manage pests with minimal risk to people and the environment.
Q24. Who enforces FIFRA at the federal level? ANSWER The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Q25. What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS)? ANSWER A
document providing information on a chemical's hazards, safe handling,
storage, and emergency procedures.
Q26. What does "signal word" on a pesticide label indicate? ANSWER The
relative toxicity of the product: DANGER (highest), WARNING (moderate),
CAUTION (lowest).
Q27. What is required when a pesticide application causes an adverse effect
on a non-target organism or the environment? ANSWER The incident must be
reported to the appropriate state agency and the EPA.
Q28. What is a "pest control recommendation"? ANSWER A written
document identifying the pest problem and recommending specific control
measures, required to be signed by a licensed professional in many states.
