CALIFORNIA PCA (PEST CONTROL ADVISER) LAWS AND REGULATIONS
- CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALE BASED ON OFFICIAL DPR
RESOURCES AND STUDY MATERIALS.NEW STUDY GUIDE.
1. Question:
What is the primary role of a licensed Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) in
California?
A) To apply pesticides directly on agricultural sites
B) To offer recommendations on agricultural use of pest control products or
techniques
C) To enforce pesticide regulations at the county level
D) To register new pesticide products with the U.S. EPA
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** By definition in the Food and Agricultural Code (FAC sections
11410, 11411), a PCA is any person who offers a recommendation on any
agricultural use of a pest control product/technique, holds themselves as an
authority, or solicits services/sales for agricultural pest control. All PCAs must be
licensed by DPR.
2. Question:
Which state agency is the lead regulator for all aspects of pesticide sales and
use in California to protect public health and the environment?
A) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
B) County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC)
C) Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
D) Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB)
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,Correct Answer: C
**Rationale:** DPR is California’s lead state agency responsible for regulating
pesticide sales, use, licensing/certification (including PCAs), and enforcement.
3. Question:
To become a licensed PCA in California, an applicant must pass which
mandatory examination in addition to at least one pest control category exam?
A) Only a category-specific exam (e.g., Weeds)
B) Laws, Regulations, and Basic Principles (including IPM)
C) Federal pesticide applicator exam
D) Structural pest control exam
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** All new PCA applicants must pass the Laws, Regulations, and Basic
Principles exam (which includes IPM principles) with 70% or higher, plus at least
one category exam.
4. Question:
What is the minimum passing score required for PCA licensing examinations?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C
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,**Rationale:** A score of 70% or higher is required on all required examinations
for PCA and other DPR licenses/certificates.
5. Question:
California restricted materials include:
A) Only pesticides registered by the U.S. EPA as general use
B) All federal restricted use pesticides plus additional pesticides designated by
DPR
C) Only pesticides used for structural pest control
D) Household consumer pesticides
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** DPR designates federal restricted use pesticides and additional
active ingredients as California restricted materials (listed in 3 CCR §6400). These
require stricter controls
6. Question:
Who issues restricted material permits for the purchase, possession, or use of
restricted materials?
A) DPR statewide
B) U.S. EPA
C) County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC)
D) Licensed PCA
Correct Answer: C
**Rationale:** CACs issue site- and time-specific restricted material permits
under DPR guidance.
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, 7. Question:
Restricted materials (including federal restricted use pesticides) may only be
used by or under the supervision of:
A) Any adult farm worker
B) A certified applicator (commercial or private)
C) A licensed PCA only
D) Uncertified handlers with verbal instructions
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** Certified applicator supervision standards apply unless labeling
specifies otherwise.
8. Question:
Educational requirements for a new PCA license applicant generally include:
A) High school diploma only
B) 45 semester units (or 67.5 quarter units) in specified biological, agricultural,
and pest management sciences
C) A master’s degree in entomology
D) No formal education required
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** DPR mandates specific college-level coursework for PCA
applicants.
4|Page
- CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALE BASED ON OFFICIAL DPR
RESOURCES AND STUDY MATERIALS.NEW STUDY GUIDE.
1. Question:
What is the primary role of a licensed Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) in
California?
A) To apply pesticides directly on agricultural sites
B) To offer recommendations on agricultural use of pest control products or
techniques
C) To enforce pesticide regulations at the county level
D) To register new pesticide products with the U.S. EPA
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** By definition in the Food and Agricultural Code (FAC sections
11410, 11411), a PCA is any person who offers a recommendation on any
agricultural use of a pest control product/technique, holds themselves as an
authority, or solicits services/sales for agricultural pest control. All PCAs must be
licensed by DPR.
2. Question:
Which state agency is the lead regulator for all aspects of pesticide sales and
use in California to protect public health and the environment?
A) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
B) County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC)
C) Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
D) Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB)
1|Page
,Correct Answer: C
**Rationale:** DPR is California’s lead state agency responsible for regulating
pesticide sales, use, licensing/certification (including PCAs), and enforcement.
3. Question:
To become a licensed PCA in California, an applicant must pass which
mandatory examination in addition to at least one pest control category exam?
A) Only a category-specific exam (e.g., Weeds)
B) Laws, Regulations, and Basic Principles (including IPM)
C) Federal pesticide applicator exam
D) Structural pest control exam
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** All new PCA applicants must pass the Laws, Regulations, and Basic
Principles exam (which includes IPM principles) with 70% or higher, plus at least
one category exam.
4. Question:
What is the minimum passing score required for PCA licensing examinations?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C
2|Page
,**Rationale:** A score of 70% or higher is required on all required examinations
for PCA and other DPR licenses/certificates.
5. Question:
California restricted materials include:
A) Only pesticides registered by the U.S. EPA as general use
B) All federal restricted use pesticides plus additional pesticides designated by
DPR
C) Only pesticides used for structural pest control
D) Household consumer pesticides
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** DPR designates federal restricted use pesticides and additional
active ingredients as California restricted materials (listed in 3 CCR §6400). These
require stricter controls
6. Question:
Who issues restricted material permits for the purchase, possession, or use of
restricted materials?
A) DPR statewide
B) U.S. EPA
C) County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC)
D) Licensed PCA
Correct Answer: C
**Rationale:** CACs issue site- and time-specific restricted material permits
under DPR guidance.
3|Page
, 7. Question:
Restricted materials (including federal restricted use pesticides) may only be
used by or under the supervision of:
A) Any adult farm worker
B) A certified applicator (commercial or private)
C) A licensed PCA only
D) Uncertified handlers with verbal instructions
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** Certified applicator supervision standards apply unless labeling
specifies otherwise.
8. Question:
Educational requirements for a new PCA license applicant generally include:
A) High school diploma only
B) 45 semester units (or 67.5 quarter units) in specified biological, agricultural,
and pest management sciences
C) A master’s degree in entomology
D) No formal education required
Correct Answer: B
**Rationale:** DPR mandates specific college-level coursework for PCA
applicants.
4|Page
