TDA Private Applicator License Exam
Questions with Latest Update
What is IPM? - Answer-IPM is a pest population management system that anticipates
and prevents pests from causing damage.
What type of approach is IPM to pest control - Answer-It is an ECOLOGICAL approach
to pest control
What are the components of IPM? - Answer-1. Pest Identification
2. Monitoring
3. Use of natural enemies (biological control)
4. Pest- Resistant plants
5. Cultural and structural changes
6. Judicious use of least - toxic pesticides
Intent of IPM - Answer-To use tactics that are pesticide alternatives that reduce the total
amount of pesticide chemicals used thereby lessening the opportunity for pests to
develop resistance.
How is a pesticide defined by law? (L&R §76.001 definitions) - Answer-Any substance
or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any
pest, and any substance intended for use as a plant growth regulator, defoliant, or
desiccant.
Which state and federal agencies register pesticides? (L&R §76.001 definitions) -
Answer-Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
What is the federal law that regulates the sale and use of pesticides? (L&R §76.001
definitions) - Answer-The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
What is a state-limited-use pesticide? (L&R §76.003) - Answer-A pesticide or pesticide
use on which additional restrictions are placed by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
As defined by law, what is a private pesticide applicator? (L&R §76.112) - Answer-A
person who uses or supervises the use of a restricted-use or state-limited use pesticide
or a regulated herbicide for the purpose producing an agricultural commodity.
When supervising pesticide use, must the private applicator be physically present? Is
the applicator responsible for actions of the supervised workers? (L&R §7.31) - Answer-
The applicator need not be physically present, unless required by the label or other
conditions of use, but must be available if and when needed. The licensed applicator
,and the supervised person may keep in touch by phone, radio, etc. The applicator is
responsible for actions of individuals being supervised.
Who is responsible for assuring that any person working under the licensee's direct
supervision is knowledgeable of the label requirements and rules and
regulations governing the use of the particular pesticide being used by the individual?
(L&R §7.31) - Answer-The licensed applicator (may be private, commercial, or
noncommercial).
What practical knowledge and skills should a private applicator have? (Video) - Answer-
The applicator should know how to: recognize common pests and pest damage; read
and understand the label; apply pesticides according to label instructions and warnings;
recognize environmental conditions and avoid contamination; and recognize poisoning
symptoms and perform first-aid.
What is the significance of pesticide label directions with regard to the law? (L&R §7.71)
- Answer-The label has the force of law and includes a statement stating that the use of
any chemical inconsistent with the label directions is a violation of the law.
What types of laws are violated when the applicator uses pesticides inconsistent with
label directions? Examples: Is it ever legal to use more than the labeled rate? Is it ever
legal to allow the pesticide to DRIFT off of the target site? (L&R §7.71) - Answer-Both
federal and state law prohibits uses pesticides inconsistent with label directions. It is
NEVER legal to use more than the labeled rate of a pesticide. It is NEVER legal to allow
the pesticide to DRIFT off of the target site.
What role do Texas counties have in regulating pesticides? (L&R §7.50) - Answer-Sale
and use of certain herbicides are regulated in some counties where a permit must be
obtained to use such products during certain times of the year.
What is a spray permit? (L&R §7.50) - Answer-A spray permit is a document issued by
TDA that must be issued before application that authorizes a person to apply regulated
herbicides in a regulated county.
When does a spray permit expire? (L&R §7.50) - Answer-All permits expire when the
acreage for which the permit was granted has been sprayed, or 180 days after
issuance, whichever occurs first.
List some applications that would require a spray permit and some that would not
require a spray permit and some that are prohibited from having a spray permit.
(L&R §7.50) - Answer-Spraying with standard ground application equipment would
require a permit. Applications of regulated herbicides to lawns and by brush, mop, wick,
basal treatment, or injection methods are exempt from obtaining a permit. The use of
any turbine or blower-type ground application equipment to apply regulated herbicides
is prohibited.
, What Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required to renew the private applicator's
license? (L&R §7.24) - Answer-Private applicators are required to re-certify every five
(5) years by obtaining fifteen (15) continuing education units (CEUs) including at least
two credits in laws and regulations and two credits in integrated pest management.
What late fees are added to the renewal fee if a private applicator does not renew the
license by February 28th? (L&R §7.25) - Answer-The renewal fee is $60.00 due by
February 28. After February 28 to May 31, there is a $30.00 late fee - total cost $90.00.
After May 31 the late fee is $60.00 -total cost $120.00. After 12 months the license is
lost. After a license is lost, the applicator must wait one year before they can train and
retest. TDA will NOT issue a new license until one full year elapses.
If an applicator fails to inform TDA of a change in mailing address, what can happen to
the license? (L&W §7.20) - Answer-Failure to provide such information may be grounds
for denial, suspension or revocation of the license.
When can a person request prior notification? (L&R §7.37) - Answer-Prior notification
can be requested when pesticides are being applied with airblast, mist blowing or aerial
equipment by people on adjoining property living within 1/4 mile or by persons in charge
of day-care centers, hospitals or nursing homes, and schools within 1/4 mile of the
application.
Name an accepted method of giving prior notification of a scheduled application to a
neighbor who has requested prior notification. (L&R §7.37) - Answer-The notification
may be made by raising an EPA WPS flag/sign in or about the field to which pesticides
are scheduled to be applied.
How long are licensed pesticide applicators required to keep records? What types of
pesticides are required to be included in these records? (L&R §7.33) - Answer-A person
licensed or certified as a private applicator must maintain records of each application of
a restricted-use pesticide, state-limited-use pesticide, or regulated herbicide. Records of
pesticide use must be maintained for a period of two (2) years.
Explain what is needed when the regulations require that the total volume of spray mix,
dust, granules, or other materials applied per unit be recorded. (L&R
§7.33) Give an example of what is meant here. - Answer-Record the rate/area.
Examples - 1 gallon per 1000 square feet or 30 gallons per acre this would include
water, pesticide, surfactant and any other additive put into the tank.
List locations that are covered by WPS and others that are exempt. (L&R WPS -40
CFR, Subpart A, §170.1). - Answer-WPS applies to most agricultural production such as
field crops (cotton, corn, sorghum, etc. also turfgrass production for sod, and
greenhouse plant production). Pastures and rangeland are exempt from WPS.
Compare the terms "Agricultural Employer" and Handler Employer" as used in the WPS.
(L&R WPS - 40 CFR, Subpart A, §170.3). - Answer-When reading the WPS Laws and
