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Maryland Pesticide License Practice Test (Free Core Exam Questions)

Preparing for the Maryland pesticide applicator exam? In Maryland, applicator certification and licensing are handled by the state pesticide regulatory agency, generally the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Like every state, Maryland requires applicators to show competency in the core (general standards) areas set out in federal rules: label comprehension, safety, environmental protection, pests, pesticides, equipment, application methods, laws, supervision, and professionalism. Most candidates also take a state laws section and one or more category exams.

Confirm current exam requirements, manuals, fees, and testing locations directly with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Maryland agency.

10 free Maryland core exam practice questions

1. Who must provide required PPE to noncertified applicators using RUPs under supervision?

Answer: D. The certified applicator or employer is responsible for making sure required PPE is provided, clean, and used properly.

2. Posting warning signs at a treated area when required serves to:

Answer: A. Required posting informs people of restricted entry and reduces accidental exposure.

3. A tractor travels 176 feet in 20 seconds. What is its speed in miles per hour? (1 mph = 88 ft per minute)

Answer: B. 176 ft in 20 s = 528 ft per minute. 528 / 88 = 6 mph.

4. Which signal word indicates the highest acute toxicity to humans when taken orally?

Answer: B. DANGER-POISON (plus the skull and crossbones and PELIGRO) marks the most acutely toxic products, Toxicity Category I by oral, dermal, or inhalation route.

5. For most pesticide handlers, the most common route of exposure is:

Answer: A. Skin contact is the most common way applicators and handlers are exposed, especially during mixing and loading.

6. Pesticide drift is MOST likely to increase when:

Answer: A. Smaller droplets from high pressure or fine nozzles stay aloft longer and move off target more easily.

7. Releasing lady beetles to control aphids is an example of:

Answer: C. Biological control uses natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens) to suppress pests.

8. Which formulation has the LOWEST drift potential?

Answer: B. Granules are large, heavy particles, so they drift very little compared with dusts and fine sprays.

9. Equipment should be recalibrated when:

Answer: C. Any change in nozzles, pressure, ground speed, or formulation can change output.

10. Applying a pesticide at a HIGHER rate than the label allows is:

Answer: A. Exceeding labeled rates violates the labeling and can cause injury, illegal residues, and environmental harm.
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How to study for the Maryland core exam

  1. Get the core manual edition your state uses (many states are moving to the 2025 3rd edition national core manual during 2026) and any Maryland law supplement.
  2. Take a timed practice test to find your weak areas.
  3. Re-read those chapters, then retest until you're consistently above passing.
  4. Memorize the high-yield facts: signal words, first aid, PPE rules, drift and inversions, and basic calibration math.

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