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Texas Pesticide Applicator Category A Field Crop
Pest Control Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Texas Pesticide Applicator Category A – Field Crop Pest Control Exam.
✅ Part 1: Exam Coverage & Key Topics
Before diving into the questions, ensure you have a strong grasp of the following subject areas, which
are tested on the Category A (Field Crop Pest Control) exam:
• Regulations & Licensing: Know the role of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in
regulating pesticide use. Understand the requirements for commercial, non-commercial, and
private applicator licenses, the continuing education unit (CEU) requirements, and the content
of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 7.
• FIFRA & Pesticide Law: Understand the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) – the primary federal law governing pesticide distribution, sale, and use. Know that a
pesticide label is a legally binding document.
• Safety & PPE: Recognize the signal words Danger, Warning, and Caution and the toxicity
categories they represent. Know the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper
decontamination, and first-aid procedures.
• Pest Identification & Management: Be able to identify major field crop pests in Texas,
including: Boll Weevil (cotton), Armyworms (sorghum/corn), Thrips (vectors of Tomato Spotted
Wilt Virus), Stink Bugs (soybeans), Sugarcane Aphids (sorghum), and Cotton Aphids.
• IPM & Resistance Management: Know the components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
pest identification, monitoring, biological/cultural/mechanical controls, and economic
thresholds. Understand resistance management strategies, especially rotating pesticide modes
of action.
• Application Methods & Equipment: Study calibration, drift management (wind speed, nozzles,
boom height), buffer zones, formulation types, and proper application timing.
• Environmental Protection: Understand how to protect water sources (buffer zones),
pollinators (bees), and the role of recordkeeping and spill response.
Section 1: Regulations & Pesticide Law (1–35)
1. A farmer wants to apply a restricted-use pesticide (RUP) on his cotton field to control boll weevils. He
has completed a private applicator training course. According to federal and Texas law, what is required
for him to legally purchase and apply this RUP?
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• A) He must be a certified private applicator or work under the direct supervision of a certified
applicator.
• B) He can purchase and apply it if he signs a waiver at the dealership.
• C) Only a commercial applicator licensed by the TDA is allowed to handle RUPs.
• D) He only needs to read the label; no certification is required for a farmer on his own land.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) may only be applied by certified applicators (including
certified private applicators) or persons under their direct supervision. Simply completing a training
course is insufficient; the applicator must be certified by the TDA.
2. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) inspects a farm and finds that the applicator failed to
maintain records of a restricted-use pesticide application. Under the Texas Administrative Code (TAC),
which of the following is required of all certified applicators regarding records?
• A) Records must be kept for at least one year.
• B) Records must be kept for at least two years.
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• C) Records must be kept for at least five years.
• D) Records are not required for general-use pesticides.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas regulations require certified applicators to maintain records of pesticide applications for
a specific retention period. The core principle is that records must be kept for at least two years to allow
for regulatory review and enforcement.
3. A licensed commercial applicator is applying a herbicide to a field when a neighbor walks onto the
edge of the treated area without protective clothing. According to Texas law (TAC §7.38), what is the
applicator’s immediate responsibility?
• A) Continue the application because the person is not an employee.
• B) Stop the application immediately until the person leaves the area.
• C) Continue but increase the buffer zone.
• D) Hand the neighbor a bottle of water and continue.
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TAC §7.38 explicitly states: “The applicator shall stop the application of a pesticide if any
person not wearing appropriate protective clothing lawfully enters the area to be treated.” The safety of
bystanders is paramount.
4. A private applicator’s license is set to expire on December 31, 2025. The applicator has not yet earned
any continuing education units (CEUs). What is the minimum number of CEUs required for a private
applicator to recertify, and how many of those must be in specific topics?
• A) 5 CEUs total, including 1 in IPM.
• B) 10 CEUs total, with no topic restrictions.
• C) 15 CEUs total, including 2 in laws & regulations and 2 in IPM.
• D) 15 CEUs total, all in general pest management.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas law requires private applicators to obtain 15 CEUs every five years to recertify. This total
Texas Pesticide Applicator Category A Field Crop
Pest Control Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Texas Pesticide Applicator Category A – Field Crop Pest Control Exam.
✅ Part 1: Exam Coverage & Key Topics
Before diving into the questions, ensure you have a strong grasp of the following subject areas, which
are tested on the Category A (Field Crop Pest Control) exam:
• Regulations & Licensing: Know the role of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in
regulating pesticide use. Understand the requirements for commercial, non-commercial, and
private applicator licenses, the continuing education unit (CEU) requirements, and the content
of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 7.
• FIFRA & Pesticide Law: Understand the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) – the primary federal law governing pesticide distribution, sale, and use. Know that a
pesticide label is a legally binding document.
• Safety & PPE: Recognize the signal words Danger, Warning, and Caution and the toxicity
categories they represent. Know the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper
decontamination, and first-aid procedures.
• Pest Identification & Management: Be able to identify major field crop pests in Texas,
including: Boll Weevil (cotton), Armyworms (sorghum/corn), Thrips (vectors of Tomato Spotted
Wilt Virus), Stink Bugs (soybeans), Sugarcane Aphids (sorghum), and Cotton Aphids.
• IPM & Resistance Management: Know the components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
pest identification, monitoring, biological/cultural/mechanical controls, and economic
thresholds. Understand resistance management strategies, especially rotating pesticide modes
of action.
• Application Methods & Equipment: Study calibration, drift management (wind speed, nozzles,
boom height), buffer zones, formulation types, and proper application timing.
• Environmental Protection: Understand how to protect water sources (buffer zones),
pollinators (bees), and the role of recordkeeping and spill response.
Section 1: Regulations & Pesticide Law (1–35)
1. A farmer wants to apply a restricted-use pesticide (RUP) on his cotton field to control boll weevils. He
has completed a private applicator training course. According to federal and Texas law, what is required
for him to legally purchase and apply this RUP?
, Page 2 of 192
• A) He must be a certified private applicator or work under the direct supervision of a certified
applicator.
• B) He can purchase and apply it if he signs a waiver at the dealership.
• C) Only a commercial applicator licensed by the TDA is allowed to handle RUPs.
• D) He only needs to read the label; no certification is required for a farmer on his own land.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) may only be applied by certified applicators (including
certified private applicators) or persons under their direct supervision. Simply completing a training
course is insufficient; the applicator must be certified by the TDA.
2. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) inspects a farm and finds that the applicator failed to
maintain records of a restricted-use pesticide application. Under the Texas Administrative Code (TAC),
which of the following is required of all certified applicators regarding records?
• A) Records must be kept for at least one year.
• B) Records must be kept for at least two years.
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• C) Records must be kept for at least five years.
• D) Records are not required for general-use pesticides.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas regulations require certified applicators to maintain records of pesticide applications for
a specific retention period. The core principle is that records must be kept for at least two years to allow
for regulatory review and enforcement.
3. A licensed commercial applicator is applying a herbicide to a field when a neighbor walks onto the
edge of the treated area without protective clothing. According to Texas law (TAC §7.38), what is the
applicator’s immediate responsibility?
• A) Continue the application because the person is not an employee.
• B) Stop the application immediately until the person leaves the area.
• C) Continue but increase the buffer zone.
• D) Hand the neighbor a bottle of water and continue.
, Page 4 of 192
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TAC §7.38 explicitly states: “The applicator shall stop the application of a pesticide if any
person not wearing appropriate protective clothing lawfully enters the area to be treated.” The safety of
bystanders is paramount.
4. A private applicator’s license is set to expire on December 31, 2025. The applicator has not yet earned
any continuing education units (CEUs). What is the minimum number of CEUs required for a private
applicator to recertify, and how many of those must be in specific topics?
• A) 5 CEUs total, including 1 in IPM.
• B) 10 CEUs total, with no topic restrictions.
• C) 15 CEUs total, including 2 in laws & regulations and 2 in IPM.
• D) 15 CEUs total, all in general pest management.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas law requires private applicators to obtain 15 CEUs every five years to recertify. This total
