Iowa Ornamental and Turfgrass Pest
Management (Category 3OT) Exam – IDALS &
Iowa State University Extension | 2023–2026
Comprehensive Practice Exam and Study Guide
INTRODUCTION .
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for commercial pesticide applicators
preparing for the Iowa Ornamental and Turfgrass Pest Management (Category 3OT)
Certification Exam for the 2023-2026 testing cycle. Category 3OT covers the use of pesticides on
turfgrass, ornamental plants, nursery stock, and landscaped areas.
Exam Information:
• Regulatory Authority: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)
• Certification: Commercial Pesticide Applicator – Category 3OT (Ornamental and Turfgrass)
• Exam Format: Iowa Core Manual exam (general laws/safety) + Category 3OT exam
(specialized pest management)
• Reference Materials: Iowa Core Manual (IC 445), Category 3OT Manual (CS 15A), ISU
Extension publications
• Passing Score: 90% for commercial applicators
• CEU Requirements: Annual continuing instruction courses (CIC) for recertification
Major Content Areas Covered:
• Iowa Core Laws and Regulations, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Turfgrass and
Ornamental Pest Management, Pesticide Safety and PPE, Pesticide Formulations and Modes
of Action, Environmental Protection and Pollinator Safety, Calibration and Recordkeeping
SECTION 1: IOWA CORE LAWS AND REGULATIONS (Questions 1-20)
Q1: A commercial pesticide applicator in Iowa must keep records of restricted use pesticide
(RUP) applications for a minimum of:
• A. 1 year
• B. 2 years
, • [CORRECT] C. 2 years
• D. 5 years
Rationale:
• Commercial applicators in Iowa must keep RUP records for 2 years. Private applicators
must keep records for 3 years
. Records must include product name, EPA registration number, total amount applied, area
treated, crop/site, date and time of application, location, and applicator name/certification
number. This is a critical distinction between commercial and private applicator
requirements.
Q2: According to Iowa regulations, pesticide warning signs placed on treated turfgrass must be
at least what size?
• A. 3 × 4 inches
• [CORRECT] B. 4 × 5 inches
• C. 5 × 7 inches
• D. 8 × 10 inches
Rationale:
• Iowa law requires warning signs to be at least 4 inches by 5 inches with lettering at least
0.38 inches high. Signs must state: "This area chemically treated. Keep off. Do not remove
signs for 24 hours." Signs must be placed at least 12 inches above the grass line.
Q3: Signs posted after a pesticide application to turfgrass must remain in place for at least:
• A. 12 hours
• [CORRECT] B. 24 hours
• C. 48 hours
• D. 72 hours
Rationale:
• Signs must be posted for a minimum of 24 hours after application, or longer if required by
the product label. This allows time for the product to dry or be incorporated and reduces
exposure risk to people and pets.
Q4: Which of the following is required for commercial applicators but NOT for private
applicators in Iowa?
• A. Recordkeeping of RUP applications
, • B. Certification for restricted use pesticides
• C. [CORRECT] Annual pesticide use reporting to IDALS
• D. Following label instructions
Rationale:
• Commercial applicators must submit an annual pesticide use report to IDALS
summarizing the total amounts of pesticides applied. Private applicators (farmers applying
on their own land) are not required to submit annual reports but must maintain records for
3 years
.
Q5: When transporting pesticides in Iowa, which of the following is required?
• A. Pesticides may be transported in the passenger compartment of the vehicle
• [CORRECT] B. Pesticides must be secured to prevent movement and kept separate from
food, feed, and seed
• C. No special requirements
• D. Pesticides must be transported in original containers only with no secondary
containment
Rationale:
• Pesticides must be secured to prevent spills and kept separate from food, feed, seed, and
other items that could become contaminated. Transport in the passenger compartment is
discouraged; use the truck bed or separate compartment.
Q6: A major pesticide spill (e.g., overturned spray truck) requires immediate notification to:
• A. Only the property owner
• [CORRECT] B. IDALS and local emergency responders
• C. The pesticide manufacturer only
• D. No one, if cleaned up within 24 hours
Rationale:
• Major spills (those that cannot be contained by the applicator or pose a risk to people,
water, or the environment) must be reported immediately to IDALS and local emergency
responders (fire department, police, environmental agencies). The IDALS Pesticide Bureau
hotline is (515) 281-8591.
, Q7: The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) requires employers to provide decontamination
supplies for pesticide handlers. These supplies must include at minimum:
• [CORRECT] A. Soap, single-use towels, and water
• B. Gloves and goggles only
• C. Respirator and cartridges
• D. Coveralls and boots
Rationale:
• WPS requires employers to provide soap, single-use towels, and adequate water for
decontamination. For handlers, also provide clean change of clothing. For early-entry
workers, additional supplies may be required
.
Q8: According to Iowa regulations, a pesticide storage facility must be:
• A. Located in a residential basement
• B. Unlocked for emergency access
• [CORRECT] C. Lockable, well-ventilated, and separate from seed/fertilizer
• D. Heated to 80°F year-round
Rationale:
• Storage areas must be lockable (prevent unauthorized access), well-ventilated, and
separate from seed, fertilizer, food, and feed. Secondary containment (spill pallets,
berms) is recommended. Avoid temperature extremes.
Q9: When disposing of empty pesticide containers, Iowa regulations require:
• A. Burning the containers
• [CORRECT] B. Triple rinsing or pressure rinsing before recycling or disposal
• C. Burying them on the farm
• D. Reusing them for other chemicals
Rationale:
• Containers must be triple rinsed or pressure rinsed before recycling (through the Iowa
Pesticide Container Recycling Program) or disposal. Rinsate must be added to the spray
tank and applied according to label directions.
Q10: Under Iowa law, pesticide applications should not be made when wind speeds exceed:
Management (Category 3OT) Exam – IDALS &
Iowa State University Extension | 2023–2026
Comprehensive Practice Exam and Study Guide
INTRODUCTION .
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for commercial pesticide applicators
preparing for the Iowa Ornamental and Turfgrass Pest Management (Category 3OT)
Certification Exam for the 2023-2026 testing cycle. Category 3OT covers the use of pesticides on
turfgrass, ornamental plants, nursery stock, and landscaped areas.
Exam Information:
• Regulatory Authority: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)
• Certification: Commercial Pesticide Applicator – Category 3OT (Ornamental and Turfgrass)
• Exam Format: Iowa Core Manual exam (general laws/safety) + Category 3OT exam
(specialized pest management)
• Reference Materials: Iowa Core Manual (IC 445), Category 3OT Manual (CS 15A), ISU
Extension publications
• Passing Score: 90% for commercial applicators
• CEU Requirements: Annual continuing instruction courses (CIC) for recertification
Major Content Areas Covered:
• Iowa Core Laws and Regulations, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Turfgrass and
Ornamental Pest Management, Pesticide Safety and PPE, Pesticide Formulations and Modes
of Action, Environmental Protection and Pollinator Safety, Calibration and Recordkeeping
SECTION 1: IOWA CORE LAWS AND REGULATIONS (Questions 1-20)
Q1: A commercial pesticide applicator in Iowa must keep records of restricted use pesticide
(RUP) applications for a minimum of:
• A. 1 year
• B. 2 years
, • [CORRECT] C. 2 years
• D. 5 years
Rationale:
• Commercial applicators in Iowa must keep RUP records for 2 years. Private applicators
must keep records for 3 years
. Records must include product name, EPA registration number, total amount applied, area
treated, crop/site, date and time of application, location, and applicator name/certification
number. This is a critical distinction between commercial and private applicator
requirements.
Q2: According to Iowa regulations, pesticide warning signs placed on treated turfgrass must be
at least what size?
• A. 3 × 4 inches
• [CORRECT] B. 4 × 5 inches
• C. 5 × 7 inches
• D. 8 × 10 inches
Rationale:
• Iowa law requires warning signs to be at least 4 inches by 5 inches with lettering at least
0.38 inches high. Signs must state: "This area chemically treated. Keep off. Do not remove
signs for 24 hours." Signs must be placed at least 12 inches above the grass line.
Q3: Signs posted after a pesticide application to turfgrass must remain in place for at least:
• A. 12 hours
• [CORRECT] B. 24 hours
• C. 48 hours
• D. 72 hours
Rationale:
• Signs must be posted for a minimum of 24 hours after application, or longer if required by
the product label. This allows time for the product to dry or be incorporated and reduces
exposure risk to people and pets.
Q4: Which of the following is required for commercial applicators but NOT for private
applicators in Iowa?
• A. Recordkeeping of RUP applications
, • B. Certification for restricted use pesticides
• C. [CORRECT] Annual pesticide use reporting to IDALS
• D. Following label instructions
Rationale:
• Commercial applicators must submit an annual pesticide use report to IDALS
summarizing the total amounts of pesticides applied. Private applicators (farmers applying
on their own land) are not required to submit annual reports but must maintain records for
3 years
.
Q5: When transporting pesticides in Iowa, which of the following is required?
• A. Pesticides may be transported in the passenger compartment of the vehicle
• [CORRECT] B. Pesticides must be secured to prevent movement and kept separate from
food, feed, and seed
• C. No special requirements
• D. Pesticides must be transported in original containers only with no secondary
containment
Rationale:
• Pesticides must be secured to prevent spills and kept separate from food, feed, seed, and
other items that could become contaminated. Transport in the passenger compartment is
discouraged; use the truck bed or separate compartment.
Q6: A major pesticide spill (e.g., overturned spray truck) requires immediate notification to:
• A. Only the property owner
• [CORRECT] B. IDALS and local emergency responders
• C. The pesticide manufacturer only
• D. No one, if cleaned up within 24 hours
Rationale:
• Major spills (those that cannot be contained by the applicator or pose a risk to people,
water, or the environment) must be reported immediately to IDALS and local emergency
responders (fire department, police, environmental agencies). The IDALS Pesticide Bureau
hotline is (515) 281-8591.
, Q7: The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) requires employers to provide decontamination
supplies for pesticide handlers. These supplies must include at minimum:
• [CORRECT] A. Soap, single-use towels, and water
• B. Gloves and goggles only
• C. Respirator and cartridges
• D. Coveralls and boots
Rationale:
• WPS requires employers to provide soap, single-use towels, and adequate water for
decontamination. For handlers, also provide clean change of clothing. For early-entry
workers, additional supplies may be required
.
Q8: According to Iowa regulations, a pesticide storage facility must be:
• A. Located in a residential basement
• B. Unlocked for emergency access
• [CORRECT] C. Lockable, well-ventilated, and separate from seed/fertilizer
• D. Heated to 80°F year-round
Rationale:
• Storage areas must be lockable (prevent unauthorized access), well-ventilated, and
separate from seed, fertilizer, food, and feed. Secondary containment (spill pallets,
berms) is recommended. Avoid temperature extremes.
Q9: When disposing of empty pesticide containers, Iowa regulations require:
• A. Burning the containers
• [CORRECT] B. Triple rinsing or pressure rinsing before recycling or disposal
• C. Burying them on the farm
• D. Reusing them for other chemicals
Rationale:
• Containers must be triple rinsed or pressure rinsed before recycling (through the Iowa
Pesticide Container Recycling Program) or disposal. Rinsate must be added to the spray
tank and applied according to label directions.
Q10: Under Iowa law, pesticide applications should not be made when wind speeds exceed:
