NC Pesticide Applicator Core Manual 2026 EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS
1. What federal law governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the
United States?
A. The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
B. The Endangered Species Act
C. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
D. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
2. Who is ultimately responsible for the safe and legal application of a pesticide?
A. The landowner
B. The pesticide dealer
C. The certified applicator
D. The person who mixed the pesticide
3. What is the primary purpose of pesticide "labeling"?
A. To provide advertising for the manufacturer
B. To provide clear instructions for safe and effective use
C. To meet international shipping requirements
D. To list all possible pests the product can control
4. According to FIFRA, what is a "Restricted Use Pesticide" (RUP)?
A. A pesticide that is only for agricultural use.
B. A pesticide that may be purchased and used only by certified applicators or those under their
direct supervision.
C. A pesticide that is banned in other countries.
D. A pesticide that is too expensive for general public use.
5. What is the legal term for applying a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling?
A. Off-label Application
B. Misapplication
C. Label Violation
D. Misuse
6. The "Signal Word" on a label (Danger, Warning, Caution) indicates what?
A. The product's effectiveness
,B. The relative acute toxicity of the pesticide product
C. The environmental persistence of the pesticide
D. The chemical class of the active ingredient
7. Which signal word indicates the HIGHEST level of acute toxicity?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger
D. Poison
8. What must you do if you are involved in an application that leads to significant property
damage or human injury?
A. File a report with the EPA within 30 days.
B. File a report with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(NCDA&CS) within 30 days.
C. Only report it if a fatality occurs.
D. Notify the pesticide manufacturer immediately.
9. What does a "Preharvest Interval" (PHI) on a label specify?
A. The minimum time between planting and the first application.
B. The minimum time between application and when the crop can be harvested or eaten.
C. The maximum amount of pesticide that can be applied per season.
D. The time needed for the pesticide to dry.
10. The "Worker Protection Standard" (WPS) is designed to protect whom?
A. Only certified applicators
B. Agricultural workers and pesticide handlers
C. Factory workers who produce pesticides
D. Consumers of agricultural products
11. What is the purpose of an "Agricultural Use Requirement" box on a label?
A. It indicates the product is for farm use only.
B. It reminds users to comply with WPS requirements.
C. It lists the crops the product can be used on.
D. It specifies the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
12. Under the WPS, what is a "Restricted-Entry Interval" (REI)?
A. The time after application when only certified applicators can enter the area.
B. The time after application during which entry into the treated area is restricted.
,C. The time when workers are not allowed to be on the entire farm.
D. The time between when the pesticide is mixed and when it must be applied.
13. Who is legally allowed to use a RUP?
A. Anyone who has read the label.
B. Only the property owner.
C. A certified applicator or someone under their direct supervision.
D. Only the person who purchased the pesticide.
14. What is the primary goal of integrated pest management (IPM)?
A. To eliminate all pests from an area.
B. To use biological controls instead of chemicals.
C. To manage pests economically while minimizing risks to people and the environment.
D. To prevent pesticide resistance.
15. What does the "First Aid" or "Statement of Practical Treatment" section on a label
provide?
A. The phone number for the local poison control center.
B. Instructions for the physician in case of exposure.
C. Initial emergency instructions for the victim or responder.
D. A list of all potential symptoms of exposure.
16. Which section of the label provides the legal guidelines for disposing of unused pesticide
and its container?
A. Storage and Disposal
B. Directions for Use
C. Precautionary Statements
D. Physical and Chemical Hazards
17. A "Use Classification" on a label describes whether the pesticide is:
A. An insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide.
B. For General Use or Restricted Use.
C. For agricultural or non-agricultural use.
D. A liquid, powder, or granule.
18. What is a "tolerance" as set by the EPA?
A. The amount of pesticide a crop can tolerate without dying.
B. The maximum amount of pesticide residue allowed on or in a food or feed product.
C. The level of exposure a human can tolerate without immediate injury.
D. The applicator's legal responsibility.
, 19. The "Directions for Use" section on a label includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A. The target pest(s)
B. The application rate
C. The application equipment
D. The price of the pesticide
20. Which document has the force of law behind it?
A. A fact sheet from the Cooperative Extension
B. The pesticide manufacturer's website
C. The pesticide label
D. A trade magazine article
Pesticide Safety (Questions 21-40)
21. What is the most important route of pesticide exposure for applicators?
A. Oral (swallowing)
B. Inhalation (breathing)
C. Ocular (eyes)
D. Dermal (skin)
22. What is the purpose of the "Precautionary Statements" section of the label?
A. To describe the hazards and how to avoid them.
B. To list the pests the product controls.
C. To give instructions for mixing the pesticide.
D. To explain the product's chemistry.
23. The likelihood of poison entering the body is called?
A. Toxicity
B. Hazard
C. Exposure
D. Risk
24. What does LD50 represent?
A. The dose that causes cancer in 50% of test animals.
B. The dose that is lethal to 50% of the test population.
C. The dose that causes 50% of the pests to die.
D. The legal dose limit for 50 applications.
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS
1. What federal law governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the
United States?
A. The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
B. The Endangered Species Act
C. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
D. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
2. Who is ultimately responsible for the safe and legal application of a pesticide?
A. The landowner
B. The pesticide dealer
C. The certified applicator
D. The person who mixed the pesticide
3. What is the primary purpose of pesticide "labeling"?
A. To provide advertising for the manufacturer
B. To provide clear instructions for safe and effective use
C. To meet international shipping requirements
D. To list all possible pests the product can control
4. According to FIFRA, what is a "Restricted Use Pesticide" (RUP)?
A. A pesticide that is only for agricultural use.
B. A pesticide that may be purchased and used only by certified applicators or those under their
direct supervision.
C. A pesticide that is banned in other countries.
D. A pesticide that is too expensive for general public use.
5. What is the legal term for applying a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling?
A. Off-label Application
B. Misapplication
C. Label Violation
D. Misuse
6. The "Signal Word" on a label (Danger, Warning, Caution) indicates what?
A. The product's effectiveness
,B. The relative acute toxicity of the pesticide product
C. The environmental persistence of the pesticide
D. The chemical class of the active ingredient
7. Which signal word indicates the HIGHEST level of acute toxicity?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger
D. Poison
8. What must you do if you are involved in an application that leads to significant property
damage or human injury?
A. File a report with the EPA within 30 days.
B. File a report with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(NCDA&CS) within 30 days.
C. Only report it if a fatality occurs.
D. Notify the pesticide manufacturer immediately.
9. What does a "Preharvest Interval" (PHI) on a label specify?
A. The minimum time between planting and the first application.
B. The minimum time between application and when the crop can be harvested or eaten.
C. The maximum amount of pesticide that can be applied per season.
D. The time needed for the pesticide to dry.
10. The "Worker Protection Standard" (WPS) is designed to protect whom?
A. Only certified applicators
B. Agricultural workers and pesticide handlers
C. Factory workers who produce pesticides
D. Consumers of agricultural products
11. What is the purpose of an "Agricultural Use Requirement" box on a label?
A. It indicates the product is for farm use only.
B. It reminds users to comply with WPS requirements.
C. It lists the crops the product can be used on.
D. It specifies the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
12. Under the WPS, what is a "Restricted-Entry Interval" (REI)?
A. The time after application when only certified applicators can enter the area.
B. The time after application during which entry into the treated area is restricted.
,C. The time when workers are not allowed to be on the entire farm.
D. The time between when the pesticide is mixed and when it must be applied.
13. Who is legally allowed to use a RUP?
A. Anyone who has read the label.
B. Only the property owner.
C. A certified applicator or someone under their direct supervision.
D. Only the person who purchased the pesticide.
14. What is the primary goal of integrated pest management (IPM)?
A. To eliminate all pests from an area.
B. To use biological controls instead of chemicals.
C. To manage pests economically while minimizing risks to people and the environment.
D. To prevent pesticide resistance.
15. What does the "First Aid" or "Statement of Practical Treatment" section on a label
provide?
A. The phone number for the local poison control center.
B. Instructions for the physician in case of exposure.
C. Initial emergency instructions for the victim or responder.
D. A list of all potential symptoms of exposure.
16. Which section of the label provides the legal guidelines for disposing of unused pesticide
and its container?
A. Storage and Disposal
B. Directions for Use
C. Precautionary Statements
D. Physical and Chemical Hazards
17. A "Use Classification" on a label describes whether the pesticide is:
A. An insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide.
B. For General Use or Restricted Use.
C. For agricultural or non-agricultural use.
D. A liquid, powder, or granule.
18. What is a "tolerance" as set by the EPA?
A. The amount of pesticide a crop can tolerate without dying.
B. The maximum amount of pesticide residue allowed on or in a food or feed product.
C. The level of exposure a human can tolerate without immediate injury.
D. The applicator's legal responsibility.
, 19. The "Directions for Use" section on a label includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A. The target pest(s)
B. The application rate
C. The application equipment
D. The price of the pesticide
20. Which document has the force of law behind it?
A. A fact sheet from the Cooperative Extension
B. The pesticide manufacturer's website
C. The pesticide label
D. A trade magazine article
Pesticide Safety (Questions 21-40)
21. What is the most important route of pesticide exposure for applicators?
A. Oral (swallowing)
B. Inhalation (breathing)
C. Ocular (eyes)
D. Dermal (skin)
22. What is the purpose of the "Precautionary Statements" section of the label?
A. To describe the hazards and how to avoid them.
B. To list the pests the product controls.
C. To give instructions for mixing the pesticide.
D. To explain the product's chemistry.
23. The likelihood of poison entering the body is called?
A. Toxicity
B. Hazard
C. Exposure
D. Risk
24. What does LD50 represent?
A. The dose that causes cancer in 50% of test animals.
B. The dose that is lethal to 50% of the test population.
C. The dose that causes 50% of the pests to die.
D. The legal dose limit for 50 applications.
