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Pennsylvania Pesticide License Practice Test (Free Core Exam Questions)

Preparing for the Pennsylvania pesticide applicator exam? In Pennsylvania, applicator certification and licensing are handled by the state pesticide regulatory agency, generally the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Like every state, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Pennsylvania agency.

10 free Pennsylvania core exam practice questions

1. A systemic pesticide:

Answer: A. Systemics are absorbed and translocated, so they reach pests that feed on treated tissue.

2. A flat-fan nozzle is commonly used for:

Answer: C. Flat-fan tips give a tapered pattern designed to overlap evenly on a boom for broadcast applications.

3. Under federal rules, applying soil or non-soil fumigants or making aerial applications of restricted-use pesticides requires:

Answer: D. 40 CFR 171 requires additional certification for fumigation and aerial application of RUPs (and for sodium cyanide or sodium fluoroacetate predator control).

4. A "Special Local Need" registration that allows additional uses within one state is issued under FIFRA:

Answer: A. Section 24(c) lets states register additional uses for special local needs. Section 18 covers emergency exemptions.

5. A supervisor should explain to noncertified applicators:

Answer: B. Explaining pertinent laws and regulations is a listed responsibility of supervising applicators.

6. Continuing education (recertification) is important because:

Answer: D. Recertification keeps applicators current. Federal rules require it at intervals no longer than 5 years.

7. A product contains 4 pounds of active ingredient per gallon. The recommended rate is 1 pound of active ingredient per acre. How much product per acre?

Answer: C. 1 lb needed / 4 lb per gallon = 0.25 gallon = 1 quart per acre.

8. The pre-harvest interval (PHI) is the minimum time between:

Answer: C. The PHI is the minimum number of days between the last application and harvest, so residues stay within legal tolerances.

9. When you take someone for medical care after a pesticide exposure, you should bring:

Answer: C. The label gives medical staff the active ingredient, signal word, and treatment information.

10. A temperature inversion is a condition where:

Answer: D. During an inversion, still, cool air near the surface can hold fine spray droplets and carry them long distances. Inversions are common on calm, clear mornings and evenings.
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How to study for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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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