Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Exam
Study Guide (Latest 2026/2027) Complete
Questions and 100% Correct Answers
(Guaranteed Pass)
• FIFRA -✓✓Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act — the most prominent
federal pesticide law. Originally enacted 1947, significantly amended 1972. Regulates
the production, transportation, sale, use, and disposal of pesticides.
• EPA -✓✓U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — oversees the registration of all
pesticides before sale or use in the U.S.
• RUP -✓✓Restricted-Use Pesticide classification established by FIFRA.
• ATCP 29 -✓✓Wisconsin's primary state pesticide law: 'Pesticide Use and Control,'
overseen by DATCP. Governs certification, licensing, recordkeeping, and
mixing/loading rules.
• DATCP -✓✓Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection —
oversees ATCP 29.
• ATCP 30 -✓✓Wisconsin state law: 'Pesticide Product Restrictions.' Targets specific
pesticides or uses that warrant special concern.
• RCRA -✓✓Resource Conservation and Recovery Act — federal law governing
disposal of pesticide waste.
• DOT Hazmat Rules -✓✓Federal Department of Transportation rules governing
transport of pesticides classified as hazardous materials.
• Penalties - WI Pesticide Law (94.71 Stats.) -✓✓Civil and criminal penalties may be
assessed against pesticide law violators in Wisconsin.
• Allowed Deviations -✓✓Four allowed deviations from pesticide label directions: (1)
lower rate/frequency than label, (2) apply against unlisted pest at listed site, (3) use
unlisted (non-prohibited) method, (4) mix with other pesticide or fertilizer if not
prohibited.
• Recordkeeping Requirements (ATCP 29) -✓✓Any commercial applicator for-hire, OR
any applicator using a RUP must keep records for a minimum of 2 years.
, • Restricted-Use Pesticide (RUP) -✓✓Pesticides the EPA has determined might cause
unreasonable harm to human health and/or the environment.
• General-Use Pesticide (Unclassified) -✓✓Pesticides officially designated 'unclassified'
by EPA — commonly called general-use.
• Minimum-Risk Pesticides (FIFRA 25(b)) -✓✓Pesticides with active/inert ingredients on
EPA's designated low-risk list.
• Private Applicator -✓✓Applies (or directs) pesticides for producing an agricultural
commodity on land owned/rented by themselves or employer.
• Commercial Applicator For-Hire -✓✓Uses or directs pesticides on a contract basis —
gets paid by a third party to apply on someone else's property.
• Commercial Applicator Not-for-Hire -✓✓Uses or directs pesticides only on property
owned or controlled by themselves or employer.
• Certification Requirements -✓✓Must pass a written closed-book exam demonstrating
broad practical knowledge. Certification valid for 5 years.
• Trainee Registration -✓✓A person may register as a commercial applicator trainee
with DATCP to gain hands-on experience before certification.
• "Direct the Use" (Definition) -✓✓To select a pesticide for use by another person, or to
instruct/control the application and be available during that application.
• Label vs. Labeling -✓✓Label: information printed on or attached to the pesticide
container.
• Label -✓✓Information printed on or attached to the pesticide container.
• Labeling -✓✓The label PLUS all other information about the product referenced on the
label and provided at purchase (manuals, brochures, SDSs).
• 5 Times to Read the Label -✓✓Read the label BEFORE you: 1. BUY the product
(ensure it is labeled for your site/pest) 2. STORE the product 3. MIX AND USE the
product (proper rates, safety) 4. CLEAN application equipment 5. DISPOSE of leftover
product and/or container.
• 4 Information Groups on Every Label -✓✓Every pesticide label contains these four
basic groups of information: 1. Identifying Information 2. Safety Information 3.
Environmental Hazards 4. Directions for Use.
Study Guide (Latest 2026/2027) Complete
Questions and 100% Correct Answers
(Guaranteed Pass)
• FIFRA -✓✓Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act — the most prominent
federal pesticide law. Originally enacted 1947, significantly amended 1972. Regulates
the production, transportation, sale, use, and disposal of pesticides.
• EPA -✓✓U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — oversees the registration of all
pesticides before sale or use in the U.S.
• RUP -✓✓Restricted-Use Pesticide classification established by FIFRA.
• ATCP 29 -✓✓Wisconsin's primary state pesticide law: 'Pesticide Use and Control,'
overseen by DATCP. Governs certification, licensing, recordkeeping, and
mixing/loading rules.
• DATCP -✓✓Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection —
oversees ATCP 29.
• ATCP 30 -✓✓Wisconsin state law: 'Pesticide Product Restrictions.' Targets specific
pesticides or uses that warrant special concern.
• RCRA -✓✓Resource Conservation and Recovery Act — federal law governing
disposal of pesticide waste.
• DOT Hazmat Rules -✓✓Federal Department of Transportation rules governing
transport of pesticides classified as hazardous materials.
• Penalties - WI Pesticide Law (94.71 Stats.) -✓✓Civil and criminal penalties may be
assessed against pesticide law violators in Wisconsin.
• Allowed Deviations -✓✓Four allowed deviations from pesticide label directions: (1)
lower rate/frequency than label, (2) apply against unlisted pest at listed site, (3) use
unlisted (non-prohibited) method, (4) mix with other pesticide or fertilizer if not
prohibited.
• Recordkeeping Requirements (ATCP 29) -✓✓Any commercial applicator for-hire, OR
any applicator using a RUP must keep records for a minimum of 2 years.
, • Restricted-Use Pesticide (RUP) -✓✓Pesticides the EPA has determined might cause
unreasonable harm to human health and/or the environment.
• General-Use Pesticide (Unclassified) -✓✓Pesticides officially designated 'unclassified'
by EPA — commonly called general-use.
• Minimum-Risk Pesticides (FIFRA 25(b)) -✓✓Pesticides with active/inert ingredients on
EPA's designated low-risk list.
• Private Applicator -✓✓Applies (or directs) pesticides for producing an agricultural
commodity on land owned/rented by themselves or employer.
• Commercial Applicator For-Hire -✓✓Uses or directs pesticides on a contract basis —
gets paid by a third party to apply on someone else's property.
• Commercial Applicator Not-for-Hire -✓✓Uses or directs pesticides only on property
owned or controlled by themselves or employer.
• Certification Requirements -✓✓Must pass a written closed-book exam demonstrating
broad practical knowledge. Certification valid for 5 years.
• Trainee Registration -✓✓A person may register as a commercial applicator trainee
with DATCP to gain hands-on experience before certification.
• "Direct the Use" (Definition) -✓✓To select a pesticide for use by another person, or to
instruct/control the application and be available during that application.
• Label vs. Labeling -✓✓Label: information printed on or attached to the pesticide
container.
• Label -✓✓Information printed on or attached to the pesticide container.
• Labeling -✓✓The label PLUS all other information about the product referenced on the
label and provided at purchase (manuals, brochures, SDSs).
• 5 Times to Read the Label -✓✓Read the label BEFORE you: 1. BUY the product
(ensure it is labeled for your site/pest) 2. STORE the product 3. MIX AND USE the
product (proper rates, safety) 4. CLEAN application equipment 5. DISPOSE of leftover
product and/or container.
• 4 Information Groups on Every Label -✓✓Every pesticide label contains these four
basic groups of information: 1. Identifying Information 2. Safety Information 3.
Environmental Hazards 4. Directions for Use.
