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Texas Certified Pest Control Technician Exam Actual
EXAM Questions and Correct Answers with
EXPLANATIONS LATEST THIS YEAR
Texas Certified Pest Control Technician Exam
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
The Texas Certified Pest Control Technician exam is administered by the Texas Department of
Agriculture (TDA) through PSI Exams and requires a minimum passing score of 70% . Candidates
must complete approved training (20 classroom hours + 8 category-specific classroom hours +
40 on-the-job training hours) before sitting for the exam . Key domains include: recognition of
pests and pest damage; pesticide labels and label comprehension; pesticide safety and PPE;
environmental protection; spill reporting procedures; application equipment and techniques;
pesticide formulations and actions; emergency procedures and cleanup; state and federal laws
(including Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1951); basic mathematics, chemistry, toxicology,
and entomology; non-chemical pest control techniques (IPM); and examination categories
including Pest Control, Termite and Wood Destroying Insect Control, Lawn and Ornamental,
Weed Control, Structural Fumigation, Commodity Fumigation, and Wood Preservation .
1. What is the primary goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A) Eliminate all pests immediately
B) Use a combination of methods to manage pests with minimal environmental impact
C) Increase pesticide use
D) Focus only on biological control
Answer: B
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Rationale: IPM promotes long-term prevention and control using environmentally sensitive
techniques rather than complete elimination .
2. Which agency regulates pesticide use and issues Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS)
licenses in Texas?
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B) Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
C) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
D) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Answer: B
Rationale: TDA administers the SPCS program, including licensing of pest control technicians
and applicators in Texas .
3. A restricted-use pesticide (RUP) requires:
A) No special license for purchase
B) A certified applicator license for purchase and application
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C) No label on the container
D) Only a business license to apply
Answer: B
Rationale: Restricted-use pesticides may only be used by certified applicators due to their
potential to cause harm to humans or the environment .
4. What personal protective equipment (PPE) is typically required when handling pesticides?
A) Shorts and a tank top
B) Hat and sandals
C) Gloves, goggles, and long sleeves
D) No PPE is required
Answer: C
Rationale: Basic PPE including gloves, goggles, and long sleeves helps reduce skin and eye
exposure to harmful chemicals .
5. What does LD50 represent in toxicology?
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A) The expiration date of the pesticide
B) The lethal dose required to kill 50% of a test population
C) The label-recommended application dose
D) The dilution ratio for mixing
Answer: B
Rationale: LD50 is a standard measure of acute toxicity representing the dose lethal to 50% of
test animals .
6. The label on a pesticide container is considered:
A) A suggestion for use
B) A sales brochure
C) A legal document enforceable by law
D) Irrelevant after purchase
Answer: C
Texas Certified Pest Control Technician Exam Actual
EXAM Questions and Correct Answers with
EXPLANATIONS LATEST THIS YEAR
Texas Certified Pest Control Technician Exam
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
The Texas Certified Pest Control Technician exam is administered by the Texas Department of
Agriculture (TDA) through PSI Exams and requires a minimum passing score of 70% . Candidates
must complete approved training (20 classroom hours + 8 category-specific classroom hours +
40 on-the-job training hours) before sitting for the exam . Key domains include: recognition of
pests and pest damage; pesticide labels and label comprehension; pesticide safety and PPE;
environmental protection; spill reporting procedures; application equipment and techniques;
pesticide formulations and actions; emergency procedures and cleanup; state and federal laws
(including Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1951); basic mathematics, chemistry, toxicology,
and entomology; non-chemical pest control techniques (IPM); and examination categories
including Pest Control, Termite and Wood Destroying Insect Control, Lawn and Ornamental,
Weed Control, Structural Fumigation, Commodity Fumigation, and Wood Preservation .
1. What is the primary goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A) Eliminate all pests immediately
B) Use a combination of methods to manage pests with minimal environmental impact
C) Increase pesticide use
D) Focus only on biological control
Answer: B
, Page 2 of 122
Rationale: IPM promotes long-term prevention and control using environmentally sensitive
techniques rather than complete elimination .
2. Which agency regulates pesticide use and issues Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS)
licenses in Texas?
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B) Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
C) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
D) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Answer: B
Rationale: TDA administers the SPCS program, including licensing of pest control technicians
and applicators in Texas .
3. A restricted-use pesticide (RUP) requires:
A) No special license for purchase
B) A certified applicator license for purchase and application
, Page 3 of 122
C) No label on the container
D) Only a business license to apply
Answer: B
Rationale: Restricted-use pesticides may only be used by certified applicators due to their
potential to cause harm to humans or the environment .
4. What personal protective equipment (PPE) is typically required when handling pesticides?
A) Shorts and a tank top
B) Hat and sandals
C) Gloves, goggles, and long sleeves
D) No PPE is required
Answer: C
Rationale: Basic PPE including gloves, goggles, and long sleeves helps reduce skin and eye
exposure to harmful chemicals .
5. What does LD50 represent in toxicology?
, Page 4 of 122
A) The expiration date of the pesticide
B) The lethal dose required to kill 50% of a test population
C) The label-recommended application dose
D) The dilution ratio for mixing
Answer: B
Rationale: LD50 is a standard measure of acute toxicity representing the dose lethal to 50% of
test animals .
6. The label on a pesticide container is considered:
A) A suggestion for use
B) A sales brochure
C) A legal document enforceable by law
D) Irrelevant after purchase
Answer: C
