NYS Pesticide Ornamentals & Turf Exam
Questions and 100% Correct Answers
(GUARANTEED PASS)
1. What is a situation where a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide could be
used on turf?
Correct Answer:-When your grass is basically all weeds or you are
trying to kill the dead grass to put new sod
2. When would weather conditions cause herbicide failure?
Correct Answer:-If the weather is too hot, too dry, or too cold
3. How do you use herbicides to slow the development of resistant weeds?
Correct Answer:-Making fewer herbicide applications; using herbicides
that have different modes of action; mowing to remove flowers before
seeds form
4. What agency has the mandate to administer a national pesticide applicator
training and certification program?
Correct Answer:-United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
5. What is the purpose of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS)?
Correct Answer:-Covers the use of pesticides for direct production of
agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses;
requires sharing pesticide-related info and steps to reduce illness/injury;
enforced by NYS DEC
6. What information must a commercial pesticide applicator provide to the
owner/operator of a nursery who hires them?
Correct Answer:-Specific location and description of area being treated;
time and date scheduled for application; product name, EPA
registration #, and active ingredient; any restricted-entry interval
(REI); any other specific requirements on label about protecting
workers
7. In turn, what information does the owner/manager have to provide to the
commercial applicator?
, Correct Answer:-Specific location/description of areas that may be
treated with a pesticide or under REI; any restrictions on entering areas
to be treated or that have been treated
8. What is the purpose of the "decontamination site" required by WPS?
Correct Answer:-A site for washing off pesticides and residues and for
flushing eyes; should be at the mixing site and within 1/4 mile of
application area
9. What factors are required of a "handler's" employer in terms of emergency
assistance if the handler is injured or poisoned?
Correct Answer:-Responsible for making emergency transportation to
medical facility and providing pesticide information for the chemical
exposed to
10.What is a watershed?
Correct Answer:-All land that directs water to a common outlet, such as
a lake, river, groundwater supply or coastal water body
11.How do contaminants such as pesticides migrate into groundwater?
Correct Answer:-Leaching, either from spills or from rain falling and
becoming contaminated
12.Why are anti-siphon devices required when filling sprayer tanks with water?
How does this protect groundwater?
Correct Answer:-Prevents backflow which can draw
pesticide-contaminated water into the water source
13.What is the difference between a restricted-use pesticide and a general-use
pesticide?
Correct Answer:-Restricted-use pesticides can only be applied by
certified applicators or under their direct supervision; general-use
pesticides may be purchased and used by the general public
14.Under NYS law, what is the minimum age to be a certified commercial
pesticide applicator?
Correct Answer:-17 years old
15.What is the maximum fine for a first offense of violating NYS pesticide
laws?
Correct Answer:-$5,000 per violation (civil penalty)
, 16.What does the acronym PPE stand for?
Correct Answer:-Personal Protective Equipment
17.What type of gloves should be worn when handling most pesticide
concentrates?
Correct Answer:-Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile or neoprene, not
leather or cotton)
18.How often should a pesticide applicator's respirator filter cartridges be
replaced?
Correct Answer:-According to manufacturer’s instructions, or when
breakthrough odor/taste is detected, or after 8 hours of cumulative use
19.What is the first step in cleaning a sprayer after applying a pesticide?
Correct Answer:-Triple rinse the tank and spray all rinsate onto a
labeled crop or area
20.Which federal law regulates pesticide labeling?
Correct Answer:-FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act)
21.What does the signal word "DANGER" on a pesticide label indicate?
Correct Answer:-Highly toxic – fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed
through skin
22.What signal word is used for slightly toxic pesticides?
Correct Answer:-CAUTION
23.What does "REI" stand for on a pesticide label?
Correct Answer:-Restricted-Entry Interval – the time after application
when workers cannot enter the treated area without PPE
24.What is the minimum REI for most agricultural pesticides?
Correct Answer:-4 hours (but varies by product; always check label)
25.What should you do if a pesticide spills on your skin?
Correct Answer:-Remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash
skin thoroughly with soap and water
26.What is the best way to dispose of leftover pesticide rinse water?
Correct Answer:-Apply it as a pesticide to a labeled site at a rate not
exceeding the label rate
Questions and 100% Correct Answers
(GUARANTEED PASS)
1. What is a situation where a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide could be
used on turf?
Correct Answer:-When your grass is basically all weeds or you are
trying to kill the dead grass to put new sod
2. When would weather conditions cause herbicide failure?
Correct Answer:-If the weather is too hot, too dry, or too cold
3. How do you use herbicides to slow the development of resistant weeds?
Correct Answer:-Making fewer herbicide applications; using herbicides
that have different modes of action; mowing to remove flowers before
seeds form
4. What agency has the mandate to administer a national pesticide applicator
training and certification program?
Correct Answer:-United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
5. What is the purpose of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS)?
Correct Answer:-Covers the use of pesticides for direct production of
agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses;
requires sharing pesticide-related info and steps to reduce illness/injury;
enforced by NYS DEC
6. What information must a commercial pesticide applicator provide to the
owner/operator of a nursery who hires them?
Correct Answer:-Specific location and description of area being treated;
time and date scheduled for application; product name, EPA
registration #, and active ingredient; any restricted-entry interval
(REI); any other specific requirements on label about protecting
workers
7. In turn, what information does the owner/manager have to provide to the
commercial applicator?
, Correct Answer:-Specific location/description of areas that may be
treated with a pesticide or under REI; any restrictions on entering areas
to be treated or that have been treated
8. What is the purpose of the "decontamination site" required by WPS?
Correct Answer:-A site for washing off pesticides and residues and for
flushing eyes; should be at the mixing site and within 1/4 mile of
application area
9. What factors are required of a "handler's" employer in terms of emergency
assistance if the handler is injured or poisoned?
Correct Answer:-Responsible for making emergency transportation to
medical facility and providing pesticide information for the chemical
exposed to
10.What is a watershed?
Correct Answer:-All land that directs water to a common outlet, such as
a lake, river, groundwater supply or coastal water body
11.How do contaminants such as pesticides migrate into groundwater?
Correct Answer:-Leaching, either from spills or from rain falling and
becoming contaminated
12.Why are anti-siphon devices required when filling sprayer tanks with water?
How does this protect groundwater?
Correct Answer:-Prevents backflow which can draw
pesticide-contaminated water into the water source
13.What is the difference between a restricted-use pesticide and a general-use
pesticide?
Correct Answer:-Restricted-use pesticides can only be applied by
certified applicators or under their direct supervision; general-use
pesticides may be purchased and used by the general public
14.Under NYS law, what is the minimum age to be a certified commercial
pesticide applicator?
Correct Answer:-17 years old
15.What is the maximum fine for a first offense of violating NYS pesticide
laws?
Correct Answer:-$5,000 per violation (civil penalty)
, 16.What does the acronym PPE stand for?
Correct Answer:-Personal Protective Equipment
17.What type of gloves should be worn when handling most pesticide
concentrates?
Correct Answer:-Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile or neoprene, not
leather or cotton)
18.How often should a pesticide applicator's respirator filter cartridges be
replaced?
Correct Answer:-According to manufacturer’s instructions, or when
breakthrough odor/taste is detected, or after 8 hours of cumulative use
19.What is the first step in cleaning a sprayer after applying a pesticide?
Correct Answer:-Triple rinse the tank and spray all rinsate onto a
labeled crop or area
20.Which federal law regulates pesticide labeling?
Correct Answer:-FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act)
21.What does the signal word "DANGER" on a pesticide label indicate?
Correct Answer:-Highly toxic – fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed
through skin
22.What signal word is used for slightly toxic pesticides?
Correct Answer:-CAUTION
23.What does "REI" stand for on a pesticide label?
Correct Answer:-Restricted-Entry Interval – the time after application
when workers cannot enter the treated area without PPE
24.What is the minimum REI for most agricultural pesticides?
Correct Answer:-4 hours (but varies by product; always check label)
25.What should you do if a pesticide spills on your skin?
Correct Answer:-Remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash
skin thoroughly with soap and water
26.What is the best way to dispose of leftover pesticide rinse water?
Correct Answer:-Apply it as a pesticide to a labeled site at a rate not
exceeding the label rate
