Texas Pesticide Applicator General
Standards Exam Latest Version |
2026/2027
Section 1: Licensing, Laws, and Regulations (Questions 1-35)
1. If unsupervised, you are required to have a license to legally work with restricted pesticides, but not
with state-limited pesticides.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
• Rationale for A (True): Incorrect. While having a license is required for restricted pesticides,
state-limited pesticides also require a license because they have additional use restrictions
imposed by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).
• Rationale for B (False): Correct. Texas law mandates a license to supervise or
apply both restricted-use and state-limited-use pesticides. There is no exemption for state-
limited products when working unsupervised .
2. To legally perform structural pest control for hire in Texas, what is the minimum license
requirement?
A) A private license from TDA
B) A commercial license from SPCS
C) A noncommercial license from SPCS
D) A business license from TDA
Answer: B) A commercial license from SPCS
• Rationale for A: Private licenses only cover agricultural production on land owned or leased by
the applicator, not structural control for hire.
• Rationale for B (Correct): The Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS) regulates pest control in
buildings. To perform this work for another person for compensation, a commercial license is
required.
• Rationale for C: Noncommercial licenses apply to employees of entities like hospitals or schools
who perform pest control only for their employer, not for hire.
• Rationale for D: A business license is required for the business entity itself, but the individual
applying the pesticide must also hold a commercial certified applicator license.
,3. Which agency is NOT responsible for pesticide applicator training, certification, or licensing in
Texas?
A) Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
B) Texas Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS)
C) Texas A&M AgriLife Research
D) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Answer: C) Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• Rationale for A: TDA handles agricultural pesticide licensing and certification.
• Rationale for B: SPCS handles structural pest control licensing.
• Rationale for C (Correct): While Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides education and training
materials, AgriLife Research is not a regulatory or licensing agency.
• Rationale for D: TCEQ enforces waste disposal laws regarding pesticides (e.g., the Solid Waste
Disposal Act) and has a role in environmental regulation.
4. A person employed by a privately-owned hospital to perform pest control on the hospital grounds
must obtain which license?
A) A private applicator license from TDA
B) A commercial applicator license from SPCS
C) A noncommercial applicator license from SPCS
D) No license is required if using only general-use pesticides
Answer: C) A noncommercial applicator license from SPCS
• Rationale for A: Private licenses are for agricultural production, not institutional structural pest
control.
• Rationale for B: Commercial applicators work for hire on other people's property. This
employee works only for their employer (the hospital).
• Rationale for C (Correct): A noncommercial license allows an individual to apply pesticides
(including restricted or state-limited) solely for their employer (a school, hospital, or business)
on the employer's property.
• Rationale for D: Even general-use pesticides used in structural settings may require a license
depending on the setting; specifically, the SPCS requires licensing for pesticide application in
such facilities.
5. Which of the following is NOT a TDA agricultural applicator category?
A) Right-of-Way
B) Wood Preservation
C) Predatory Animal Control
D) Fumigation
Answer: B) Wood Preservation
, • Rationale for A, C, D: These are valid categories for agricultural/commercial applicators under
TDA jurisdiction (right-of-way, regulatory pest control/predatory animals, and fumigation).
• Rationale for B (Correct): Wood preservation is a category regulated by the Structural Pest
Control Service (SPCS), not the agricultural TDA licensing program .
6. Under the Texas Pesticide Law, a pesticide must be registered with the TDA even if it already has an
EPA registration number.
A) True
B) False
Answer: A) True
• Rationale for A (Correct): Texas requires state-level registration in addition to federal EPA
registration before a product can be distributed or sold in the state .
• Rationale for B: False. Federal registration does not preempt state registration requirements.
7. How far in advance does the Texas Structural Pest Control Act require you to give public notice
before an indoor treatment at a public building like a school?
A) 12 hours
B) 24 hours
C) 48 hours
D) 72 hours
Answer: C) 48 hours
• Rationale for A, B, D: Incorrect time frames.
• Rationale for C (Correct): The SPCS rules mandate that for indoor treatments in public buildings
(schools, daycares, hospitals), written public notice must be provided at least 48 hours prior to
the application .
8. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) allows which penalties for
violations?
A) Civil penalties only for unintentional violations
B) Criminal penalties only for intentional violations
C) Civil penalties for unintentional violations AND criminal penalties for knowing violations
D) Fines only, no prison time
Answer: C) Civil penalties for unintentional violations AND criminal penalties for knowing violations
• Rationale for A: Incorrect because criminal penalties exist for knowing violations.
• Rationale for B: Incorrect because civil penalties exist for less severe (unintentional) infractions.
• Rationale for C (Correct): FIFRA Section 14 allows civil penalties (fines) for negligent violations
and criminal penalties (fines + imprisonment) for knowing or intentional misuse .
• Rationale for D: Incorrect. FIFRA does allow for prison terms.
, 9. Which federal agency is responsible for determining which species are listed as "Endangered"?
A) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
B) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
C) Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
D) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Answer: C) Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
• Rationale for A: USDA handles animal health and inspection.
• Rationale for B: EPA registers pesticides and enforces tolerances but relies on FWS for species
status.
• Rationale for C (Correct): The FWS (Department of the Interior) manages the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) and publishes the list of threatened and endangered species.
• Rationale for D: OSHA handles workplace safety.
10. Who bears the ultimate legal responsibility for protecting endangered species from pesticide
applications?
A) The EPA
B) The pesticide manufacturer
C) The individual applicator
D) The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Answer: C) The individual applicator
• Rationale for A/B/D: These entities create regulations, labels, or lists, but the actual burden of
compliance falls on the applicator.
• Rationale for C (Correct): The applicator is legally required to check the label for County
Bulletins or restrictions regarding endangered species habitats and must comply to avoid illegal
"takes" .
11. What are "Regulations" in the context of pesticide law?
A) Suggestions for best management practices
B) Interpretations of the law that have the force of law
C) Voluntary guidelines issued by manufacturers
D) Labels attached to pesticide containers
Answer: B) Interpretations of the law that have the force of law
• Rationale for B (Correct): Regulations are rules adopted by agencies (like TDA or EPA) that
specify how the law will be implemented. Violating a regulation is equivalent to violating the
law .
• Rationale for A/C/D: Suggestions, guidelines, and labels (while legally enforceable) are distinct
from the definition of regulations.
12. Under Texas law, what is the maximum civil penalty per violation for pesticide law violations?
A) $500
Standards Exam Latest Version |
2026/2027
Section 1: Licensing, Laws, and Regulations (Questions 1-35)
1. If unsupervised, you are required to have a license to legally work with restricted pesticides, but not
with state-limited pesticides.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
• Rationale for A (True): Incorrect. While having a license is required for restricted pesticides,
state-limited pesticides also require a license because they have additional use restrictions
imposed by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).
• Rationale for B (False): Correct. Texas law mandates a license to supervise or
apply both restricted-use and state-limited-use pesticides. There is no exemption for state-
limited products when working unsupervised .
2. To legally perform structural pest control for hire in Texas, what is the minimum license
requirement?
A) A private license from TDA
B) A commercial license from SPCS
C) A noncommercial license from SPCS
D) A business license from TDA
Answer: B) A commercial license from SPCS
• Rationale for A: Private licenses only cover agricultural production on land owned or leased by
the applicator, not structural control for hire.
• Rationale for B (Correct): The Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS) regulates pest control in
buildings. To perform this work for another person for compensation, a commercial license is
required.
• Rationale for C: Noncommercial licenses apply to employees of entities like hospitals or schools
who perform pest control only for their employer, not for hire.
• Rationale for D: A business license is required for the business entity itself, but the individual
applying the pesticide must also hold a commercial certified applicator license.
,3. Which agency is NOT responsible for pesticide applicator training, certification, or licensing in
Texas?
A) Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
B) Texas Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS)
C) Texas A&M AgriLife Research
D) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Answer: C) Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• Rationale for A: TDA handles agricultural pesticide licensing and certification.
• Rationale for B: SPCS handles structural pest control licensing.
• Rationale for C (Correct): While Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides education and training
materials, AgriLife Research is not a regulatory or licensing agency.
• Rationale for D: TCEQ enforces waste disposal laws regarding pesticides (e.g., the Solid Waste
Disposal Act) and has a role in environmental regulation.
4. A person employed by a privately-owned hospital to perform pest control on the hospital grounds
must obtain which license?
A) A private applicator license from TDA
B) A commercial applicator license from SPCS
C) A noncommercial applicator license from SPCS
D) No license is required if using only general-use pesticides
Answer: C) A noncommercial applicator license from SPCS
• Rationale for A: Private licenses are for agricultural production, not institutional structural pest
control.
• Rationale for B: Commercial applicators work for hire on other people's property. This
employee works only for their employer (the hospital).
• Rationale for C (Correct): A noncommercial license allows an individual to apply pesticides
(including restricted or state-limited) solely for their employer (a school, hospital, or business)
on the employer's property.
• Rationale for D: Even general-use pesticides used in structural settings may require a license
depending on the setting; specifically, the SPCS requires licensing for pesticide application in
such facilities.
5. Which of the following is NOT a TDA agricultural applicator category?
A) Right-of-Way
B) Wood Preservation
C) Predatory Animal Control
D) Fumigation
Answer: B) Wood Preservation
, • Rationale for A, C, D: These are valid categories for agricultural/commercial applicators under
TDA jurisdiction (right-of-way, regulatory pest control/predatory animals, and fumigation).
• Rationale for B (Correct): Wood preservation is a category regulated by the Structural Pest
Control Service (SPCS), not the agricultural TDA licensing program .
6. Under the Texas Pesticide Law, a pesticide must be registered with the TDA even if it already has an
EPA registration number.
A) True
B) False
Answer: A) True
• Rationale for A (Correct): Texas requires state-level registration in addition to federal EPA
registration before a product can be distributed or sold in the state .
• Rationale for B: False. Federal registration does not preempt state registration requirements.
7. How far in advance does the Texas Structural Pest Control Act require you to give public notice
before an indoor treatment at a public building like a school?
A) 12 hours
B) 24 hours
C) 48 hours
D) 72 hours
Answer: C) 48 hours
• Rationale for A, B, D: Incorrect time frames.
• Rationale for C (Correct): The SPCS rules mandate that for indoor treatments in public buildings
(schools, daycares, hospitals), written public notice must be provided at least 48 hours prior to
the application .
8. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) allows which penalties for
violations?
A) Civil penalties only for unintentional violations
B) Criminal penalties only for intentional violations
C) Civil penalties for unintentional violations AND criminal penalties for knowing violations
D) Fines only, no prison time
Answer: C) Civil penalties for unintentional violations AND criminal penalties for knowing violations
• Rationale for A: Incorrect because criminal penalties exist for knowing violations.
• Rationale for B: Incorrect because civil penalties exist for less severe (unintentional) infractions.
• Rationale for C (Correct): FIFRA Section 14 allows civil penalties (fines) for negligent violations
and criminal penalties (fines + imprisonment) for knowing or intentional misuse .
• Rationale for D: Incorrect. FIFRA does allow for prison terms.
, 9. Which federal agency is responsible for determining which species are listed as "Endangered"?
A) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
B) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
C) Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
D) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Answer: C) Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
• Rationale for A: USDA handles animal health and inspection.
• Rationale for B: EPA registers pesticides and enforces tolerances but relies on FWS for species
status.
• Rationale for C (Correct): The FWS (Department of the Interior) manages the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) and publishes the list of threatened and endangered species.
• Rationale for D: OSHA handles workplace safety.
10. Who bears the ultimate legal responsibility for protecting endangered species from pesticide
applications?
A) The EPA
B) The pesticide manufacturer
C) The individual applicator
D) The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Answer: C) The individual applicator
• Rationale for A/B/D: These entities create regulations, labels, or lists, but the actual burden of
compliance falls on the applicator.
• Rationale for C (Correct): The applicator is legally required to check the label for County
Bulletins or restrictions regarding endangered species habitats and must comply to avoid illegal
"takes" .
11. What are "Regulations" in the context of pesticide law?
A) Suggestions for best management practices
B) Interpretations of the law that have the force of law
C) Voluntary guidelines issued by manufacturers
D) Labels attached to pesticide containers
Answer: B) Interpretations of the law that have the force of law
• Rationale for B (Correct): Regulations are rules adopted by agencies (like TDA or EPA) that
specify how the law will be implemented. Violating a regulation is equivalent to violating the
law .
• Rationale for A/C/D: Suggestions, guidelines, and labels (while legally enforceable) are distinct
from the definition of regulations.
12. Under Texas law, what is the maximum civil penalty per violation for pesticide law violations?
A) $500
