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Pennsylvania Category 12 – Wood Destroying Pests
Exam –ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Pennsylvania Category 12 – Wood Destroying Pests Exam, covering termites, carpenter ants,
powderpost beetles, carpenter bees, wood-decay fungi, inspection procedures, treatment methods,
pesticide safety, and Pennsylvania regulations. Each question includes the correct answer and a
rationale.
QUESTION 1
A homeowner reports seeing a pile of small, winged insects near a window. The insects are dark-bodied,
about ¼ inch long, and have two pairs of equal-length wings that are shed nearby. Which
wood-destroying pest is most likely the cause?
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A) Carpenter ant
B) Subterranean termite alate
C) Powderpost beetle
D) Old house borer
Answer: B – Subterranean termite alates (swarmers) shed their wings after flight; piles of wings are a
classic sign. Carpenter ant alates have unequal-length wings and do not shed them in piles.
QUESTION 2
An inspector is using a flashlight and a screwdriver to probe a wood sill plate. The screwdriver
penetrates easily, and the wood feels soft and crumbly. What is the most likely cause?
A) Recent drywood termite activity
B) Untreated wood attacked by fungi after termite damage
C) Carpenter bee excavation
D) Powderpost beetle emergence
Answer: B – Subterranean termites often break down wood structure, allowing moisture entry and
secondary fungal decay. The soft, crumbly texture suggests both insect damage and rot.
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QUESTION 3
A technician applies a liquid termiticide as a pre-construction treatment. The label requires the soil to be
compacted to 90% and free of debris. The backfill contains chunks of concrete and wood forms. The
technician proceeds anyway. What violation has occurred?
A) Failure to follow the label’s mixing instructions
B) Off-label application because debris can create gaps in the barrier
C) Misuse of PPE
D) Incorrect recordkeeping
Answer: B – A continuous chemical barrier requires uniform soil. Debris and compaction voids can allow
termites to bypass the treatment, making the application ineffective and off-label.
QUESTION 4
During a WDI inspection, an inspector finds a mud tube on a foundation wall that is intact, moist, and
has live termites inside. Which NPMA-33 section should be used to report this finding?
A) Section II.B.1 – Live insects present
B) Section II.B.3 – Visible damage
C) Section III – Comments only
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D) Section IV – Inspection limitations
Answer: A – Active mud tubes with live termites are direct evidence of live insects and must be recorded
in Section II.B.1 (Live insects present).
QUESTION 5
A certified applicator’s Category 12 license expires on May 31. The applicator completes 8 core credits
and 12 category credits on June 15 and pays the renewal fee. Pennsylvania law allows:
A) Automatic 30-day grace period with no penalty
B) License reinstatement within one year by completing CEUs and paying fees
C) Reinstatement only after retaking the Category 12 exam
D) No reinstatement; the applicator must re-apply as a new candidate
Answer: B – Pennsylvania gives a one-year grace period for certified applicators to reinstate a lapsed
license by obtaining necessary recertification credits and paying fees.
QUESTION 6
A homeowner finds small, round exit holes (1/16 to 1/8 inch) in a hardwood floor and a very fine,
flour-like powder beneath the holes. Which insect is responsible?
Pennsylvania Category 12 – Wood Destroying Pests
Exam –ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Pennsylvania Category 12 – Wood Destroying Pests Exam, covering termites, carpenter ants,
powderpost beetles, carpenter bees, wood-decay fungi, inspection procedures, treatment methods,
pesticide safety, and Pennsylvania regulations. Each question includes the correct answer and a
rationale.
QUESTION 1
A homeowner reports seeing a pile of small, winged insects near a window. The insects are dark-bodied,
about ¼ inch long, and have two pairs of equal-length wings that are shed nearby. Which
wood-destroying pest is most likely the cause?
, Page 2 of 149
A) Carpenter ant
B) Subterranean termite alate
C) Powderpost beetle
D) Old house borer
Answer: B – Subterranean termite alates (swarmers) shed their wings after flight; piles of wings are a
classic sign. Carpenter ant alates have unequal-length wings and do not shed them in piles.
QUESTION 2
An inspector is using a flashlight and a screwdriver to probe a wood sill plate. The screwdriver
penetrates easily, and the wood feels soft and crumbly. What is the most likely cause?
A) Recent drywood termite activity
B) Untreated wood attacked by fungi after termite damage
C) Carpenter bee excavation
D) Powderpost beetle emergence
Answer: B – Subterranean termites often break down wood structure, allowing moisture entry and
secondary fungal decay. The soft, crumbly texture suggests both insect damage and rot.
, Page 3 of 149
QUESTION 3
A technician applies a liquid termiticide as a pre-construction treatment. The label requires the soil to be
compacted to 90% and free of debris. The backfill contains chunks of concrete and wood forms. The
technician proceeds anyway. What violation has occurred?
A) Failure to follow the label’s mixing instructions
B) Off-label application because debris can create gaps in the barrier
C) Misuse of PPE
D) Incorrect recordkeeping
Answer: B – A continuous chemical barrier requires uniform soil. Debris and compaction voids can allow
termites to bypass the treatment, making the application ineffective and off-label.
QUESTION 4
During a WDI inspection, an inspector finds a mud tube on a foundation wall that is intact, moist, and
has live termites inside. Which NPMA-33 section should be used to report this finding?
A) Section II.B.1 – Live insects present
B) Section II.B.3 – Visible damage
C) Section III – Comments only
, Page 4 of 149
D) Section IV – Inspection limitations
Answer: A – Active mud tubes with live termites are direct evidence of live insects and must be recorded
in Section II.B.1 (Live insects present).
QUESTION 5
A certified applicator’s Category 12 license expires on May 31. The applicator completes 8 core credits
and 12 category credits on June 15 and pays the renewal fee. Pennsylvania law allows:
A) Automatic 30-day grace period with no penalty
B) License reinstatement within one year by completing CEUs and paying fees
C) Reinstatement only after retaking the Category 12 exam
D) No reinstatement; the applicator must re-apply as a new candidate
Answer: B – Pennsylvania gives a one-year grace period for certified applicators to reinstate a lapsed
license by obtaining necessary recertification credits and paying fees.
QUESTION 6
A homeowner finds small, round exit holes (1/16 to 1/8 inch) in a hardwood floor and a very fine,
flour-like powder beneath the holes. Which insect is responsible?
