Page 1 of 138
Maine Pesticide Applicator Exam Questions
with Correct Answers and explanations LATEST
THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
Maine Pesticide Applicator Exam
Exam Coverage Summary
The Maine Pesticide Applicator certification program is administered by the Board of Pesticides Control
(BPC) under the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry . All commercial applicators must
pass the Core Exam covering general pesticide safety, labeling, environmental protection, laws, and
application techniques . Additionally, applicants must pass at least one Category Exam specific to their
work, such as Agricultural Plant, Forest Pest Management, Ornamental & Turf, Aquatic Pest Control,
Structural Pest Control, Vegetation Management, or other specialized categories . Private applicators
(farmers applying restricted-use pesticides on their own land) must pass the Private Applicator Core
Exam . Commercial-Master applicators must also pass a regulations exam and an oral examination . Key
topics include reading pesticide labels (signal words, classification, use restrictions), proper PPE
selection, preventing drift and runoff, pesticide resistance management (mode of action rotation),
understanding LD50 and toxicity, safe mixing/loading/storage/disposal, Maine-specific regulations
(Chapter 22 drift control, Chapter 28 water protection), integrated pest management (IPM), and record-
keeping requirements .
Question 1
A commercial applicator in Maine applies a granular herbicide to a blueberry field. A sudden wind gust
carries granules onto an adjacent organic vegetable farm. What is the applicator's PRIMARY legal
obligation?
A) Inform the organic farmer of the potential contamination
B) Do nothing, as it was an accident and not negligence
C) Contact the Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) immediately
D) Rinse the affected area with water to dilute the herbicide
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Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: Maine regulations mandate that any pesticide misapplication, including off-target
drift that may cause damage, must be reported to the BPC immediately . This is a strict legal requirement
that supersedes informal notifications.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes "pre-harvest interval" (PHI)?
A) The time between pesticide applications
B) The time required for a pesticide to dry on the leaf surface
C) The minimum time that must pass between the last application and harvest
D) The period during which re-entry into a treated field is prohibited
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: PHI is a legally defined interval on a pesticide label to ensure residues decline to a
level deemed safe for consumption by harvest time . Re-entry intervals (REI) are separate and pertain to
worker safety.
, Page 3 of 138
Question 3
A pesticide label states "Danger-Poison" with a skull and crossbones. This product is classified by the EPA
as having which acute toxicity category?
A) Caution
B) Warning
C) Danger
D) Restricted Use
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: "Danger" (often with "Poison" and a skull and crossbones) indicates the highest
acute toxicity level (Category I). "Warning" is Category II, and "Caution" is Categories III and IV .
"Restricted Use" is a separate classification.
Question 4
When applying a pesticide near a wellhead in Maine, what is the most critical factor to consider?
, Page 4 of 138
A) The color of the pesticide formulation
B) The depth to the water table and the product's leaching potential
C) The air temperature and its effect on volatilization
D) The proximity of flowering plants for pollinators
Correct Answer: B
Summary Rationale: Groundwater contamination is a major regulatory concern in Maine, which relies
heavily on groundwater for drinking . Special precautions are mandated around wells and areas with
high water tables or sandy soils.
Question 5
The primary purpose of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is to:
A) Ensure the safety of food imports
B) Regulate the labeling, sale, distribution, and use of pesticides in the U.S.
C) Set worker protection standards for agricultural workers
D) Manage the cleanup of hazardous waste sites
Maine Pesticide Applicator Exam Questions
with Correct Answers and explanations LATEST
THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
Maine Pesticide Applicator Exam
Exam Coverage Summary
The Maine Pesticide Applicator certification program is administered by the Board of Pesticides Control
(BPC) under the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry . All commercial applicators must
pass the Core Exam covering general pesticide safety, labeling, environmental protection, laws, and
application techniques . Additionally, applicants must pass at least one Category Exam specific to their
work, such as Agricultural Plant, Forest Pest Management, Ornamental & Turf, Aquatic Pest Control,
Structural Pest Control, Vegetation Management, or other specialized categories . Private applicators
(farmers applying restricted-use pesticides on their own land) must pass the Private Applicator Core
Exam . Commercial-Master applicators must also pass a regulations exam and an oral examination . Key
topics include reading pesticide labels (signal words, classification, use restrictions), proper PPE
selection, preventing drift and runoff, pesticide resistance management (mode of action rotation),
understanding LD50 and toxicity, safe mixing/loading/storage/disposal, Maine-specific regulations
(Chapter 22 drift control, Chapter 28 water protection), integrated pest management (IPM), and record-
keeping requirements .
Question 1
A commercial applicator in Maine applies a granular herbicide to a blueberry field. A sudden wind gust
carries granules onto an adjacent organic vegetable farm. What is the applicator's PRIMARY legal
obligation?
A) Inform the organic farmer of the potential contamination
B) Do nothing, as it was an accident and not negligence
C) Contact the Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) immediately
D) Rinse the affected area with water to dilute the herbicide
, Page 2 of 138
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: Maine regulations mandate that any pesticide misapplication, including off-target
drift that may cause damage, must be reported to the BPC immediately . This is a strict legal requirement
that supersedes informal notifications.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes "pre-harvest interval" (PHI)?
A) The time between pesticide applications
B) The time required for a pesticide to dry on the leaf surface
C) The minimum time that must pass between the last application and harvest
D) The period during which re-entry into a treated field is prohibited
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: PHI is a legally defined interval on a pesticide label to ensure residues decline to a
level deemed safe for consumption by harvest time . Re-entry intervals (REI) are separate and pertain to
worker safety.
, Page 3 of 138
Question 3
A pesticide label states "Danger-Poison" with a skull and crossbones. This product is classified by the EPA
as having which acute toxicity category?
A) Caution
B) Warning
C) Danger
D) Restricted Use
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: "Danger" (often with "Poison" and a skull and crossbones) indicates the highest
acute toxicity level (Category I). "Warning" is Category II, and "Caution" is Categories III and IV .
"Restricted Use" is a separate classification.
Question 4
When applying a pesticide near a wellhead in Maine, what is the most critical factor to consider?
, Page 4 of 138
A) The color of the pesticide formulation
B) The depth to the water table and the product's leaching potential
C) The air temperature and its effect on volatilization
D) The proximity of flowering plants for pollinators
Correct Answer: B
Summary Rationale: Groundwater contamination is a major regulatory concern in Maine, which relies
heavily on groundwater for drinking . Special precautions are mandated around wells and areas with
high water tables or sandy soils.
Question 5
The primary purpose of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is to:
A) Ensure the safety of food imports
B) Regulate the labeling, sale, distribution, and use of pesticides in the U.S.
C) Set worker protection standards for agricultural workers
D) Manage the cleanup of hazardous waste sites
