Pesticide applicator scope, definitions and effective dates practice questions
20 free practice questions from 40 CFR 171.1 to 171.5. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
Pesticide applicator scope, definitions and effective dates
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Scope of Part 171
1. Under 171.1(b), when is a person a certified applicator for purposes of FIFRA?
- A. Once the person has completed a pesticide manufacturer's product training
- B. Once the person has used restricted use pesticides under direct supervision for one season
- C. Only if the person holds a certification issued pursuant to a plan approved in accordance with Part 171 and currently valid in the pertinent jurisdiction
- D. Whenever the person holds a certification from any jurisdiction, even one that has expired
Show answer
Answer: C. Only if the person holds a certification issued pursuant to a plan approved in accordance with Part 171 and currently valid in the pertinent jurisdiction
171.1(b): a person is a certified applicator "only if the person holds a certification issued pursuant to a plan approved in accordance with this part and currently valid in the pertinent jurisdiction."
2. What does 171.1(b) say about making available for use, or using, a pesticide classified for restricted use other than in accordance with Part 171?
- A. It is unlawful for any person, as provided in FIFRA section 12(a)(2)(F)
- B. It is allowed if the person notifies EPA in writing beforehand
- C. It is unlawful only for commercial applicators
- D. It is allowed for private applicators on land they own
Show answer
Answer: A. It is unlawful for any person, as provided in FIFRA section 12(a)(2)(F)
171.1(b): "As provided in FIFRA section 12(a)(2)(F), it is unlawful for any person to make available for use or to use any pesticide classified for restricted use other than in accordance with the requirements of this part."
3. Besides certified applicators, whose use of restricted use pesticides do the Part 171 standards set requirements for, according to 171.1(a)?
- A. Farmworkers entering fields after an application
- B. Homeowners using general use pesticides at home
- C. Workers at pesticide production plants
- D. Noncertified persons using restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified applicator
Show answer
Answer: D. Noncertified persons using restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified applicator
171.1(a): the standards address "requirements for noncertified persons using restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified applicator."
Applicators, certification and competency
4. Under 171.3, "practical knowledge" means having the pertinent facts and comprehension sufficient to properly perform functions associated with use of restricted use pesticides. What does the definition say this includes?
- A. Holding a college degree in a pest-related science
- B. Properly responding to reasonably foreseeable problems and situations
- C. Having at least one year of experience under direct supervision
- D. Passing a performance test in every certification category
Show answer
Answer: B. Properly responding to reasonably foreseeable problems and situations
171.3: "Practical knowledge means the possession of pertinent facts and comprehension sufficient to properly perform functions associated with use of restricted use pesticides, including properly responding to reasonably foreseeable problems and situations."
5. A person holds a valid certification only in ornamental and turf pest control, which is not the category appropriate to an aquatic application being conducted. The person helps with that aquatic application of a restricted use pesticide under the direct supervision of an applicator certified in aquatic pest control. Under 171.3, what is the person for that application?
- A. A certified applicator for that application, because the person holds a valid certification
- B. A noncertified applicator
- C. A private applicator, because the application is supervised
- D. A person outside Part 171, because the person only helps with the application
Show answer
Answer: B. A noncertified applicator
171.3 defines a noncertified applicator as any person "who is not certified in accordance with this part to use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides in the category appropriate to the type of application being conducted in the pertinent jurisdiction, but who is using restricted use pesticides under the direct supervision of a person certified as a commercial or private applicator in accordance with this part."
6. A State agency issues restricted use pesticide applicator certifications under a certification plan approved by EPA. What does 171.3 call that agency?
- A. A dealership
- B. A noncertified applicator
- C. An Indian Tribe
- D. A certifying authority
Show answer
Answer: D. A certifying authority
171.3: "Certifying authority means the Agency, or a State, Tribal, or Federal agency that issues restricted use pesticide applicator certifications pursuant to a certification plan approved by the Agency under this part."
7. Under 171.3, "certification" is a certifying authority's issuance of authorization to a person to do what?
- A. Use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides
- B. Distribute or sell restricted use pesticides at a dealership
- C. Register new pesticide products
- D. Approve State certification plans
Show answer
Answer: A. Use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides
171.3: "Certification means a certifying authority's issuance, pursuant to this part, of authorization to a person to use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides."
8. According to the 171.3 definition of "competency", the nature and degree of competency required relate directly to what?
- A. The number of years the applicator has held a certification
- B. The number of employees in the applicator's business
- C. The nature of the activity and the degree of independent responsibility
- D. The applicator's age
Show answer
Answer: C. The nature of the activity and the degree of independent responsibility
171.3 says competency is required "where the nature and degree of competency required relate directly to the nature of the activity and the degree of independent responsibility."
Use, application and fumigation
9. An applicator transports pesticide containers that have been opened. Under 171.3, this activity falls within which defined term?
- A. Calibration
- B. Compatibility
- C. Use
- D. Application
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Answer: C. Use
171.3 defines "Use" to include "Other pesticide-related activities, including, but not limited to, transporting or storing pesticide containers that have been opened". "Application" means "the dispersal of a pesticide" toward a target site.
10. Under the 171.3 definition of "use", supervising the use of a pesticide by a noncertified applicator is included in which activity?
- A. Applying the pesticide
- B. Calibration of application equipment
- C. Disposing of excess pesticides
- D. Storing pesticide containers
Show answer
Answer: A. Applying the pesticide
171.3 lists "Applying the pesticide, including, but not limited to, supervising the use of a pesticide by a noncertified applicator."
11. An applicator measures a sprayer's output and adjusts the sprayer to establish a specific rate of dispersal. Under the 171.3 definition of "calibration", what else does that adjustment establish, if applicable?
- A. The pesticide's toxicity to nontarget organisms
- B. The compatibility of the pesticide with other chemicals
- C. The restricted entry interval for the treated area
- D. Droplet or particle size of a pesticide, and/or an equalized dispersal pattern
Show answer
Answer: D. Droplet or particle size of a pesticide, and/or an equalized dispersal pattern
171.3: "Calibration means measurement of dispersal or output of application equipment and adjustment of such equipment to establish a specific rate of dispersal and, if applicable, droplet or particle size of a pesticide, and/or equalized dispersal pattern."
12. Under 171.3, what makes a pesticide a "fumigant"?
- A. It is any pesticide applied inside an enclosed structure
- B. It is a restricted use pesticide that bears labeling designating it as a fumigant
- C. It is any pesticide sold at a dealership
- D. It is any pesticide a State lists as highly toxic
Show answer
Answer: B. It is a restricted use pesticide that bears labeling designating it as a fumigant
171.3: "Fumigant means a restricted use pesticide that bears labeling designating it as a fumigant." Fumigation "means the use of a fumigant."
Pesticides, dealers and adverse effects
13. A restricted use pesticide retail dealer owns a farm-supply store where it sells restricted use pesticides. What does 171.3 call that store?
- A. A dealership
- B. A certifying authority
- C. A seed treatment facility
- D. A pesticide production plant
Show answer
Answer: A. A dealership
171.3: "Dealership means any establishment owned or operated by a restricted use pesticide retail dealer where restricted use pesticides are distributed or sold."
14. Which transactions does the 171.3 definition of "restricted use pesticide retail dealer" exclude?
- A. Sales of restricted use pesticides to certified private applicators
- B. Sales of restricted use pesticides to certified commercial applicators
- C. Sales made from a location in Indian country
- D. Transactions solely between persons who are pesticide producers, registrants, wholesalers, or retail sellers, acting only in those capacities
Show answer
Answer: D. Transactions solely between persons who are pesticide producers, registrants, wholesalers, or retail sellers, acting only in those capacities
A retail dealer is "any person who distributes or sells restricted use pesticides to any person, excluding transactions solely between persons who are pesticide producers, registrants, wholesalers, or retail sellers, acting only in those capacities."
15. How does 171.3 define a "mishap"?
- A. Only an unexpected event that injures the applicator
- B. Only an intentional misuse of a restricted use pesticide
- C. An event that adversely affects man or the environment and is related to the use or presence of a pesticide, whether the event was unexpected or intentional
- D. Any spill at a dealership
Show answer
Answer: C. An event that adversely affects man or the environment and is related to the use or presence of a pesticide, whether the event was unexpected or intentional
171.3: "Mishap means an event that adversely affects man or the environment and that is related to the use or presence of a pesticide, whether the event was unexpected or intentional."
Places, Tribes, family and commodities
16. A business applies restricted use pesticides in three States. What does the 171.3 definition of "principal place of business" say it may do?
- A. It must use its headquarters office as its principal place of business for all three States
- B. It may designate a location within each State as its principal place of business for that State
- C. It must ask EPA to designate its principal place of business
- D. It may use only an office, never a residence, as its principal place of business
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Answer: B. It may designate a location within each State as its principal place of business for that State
171.3: a person who applies restricted use pesticides in more than one State "may designate a location within a State or area of Indian country as its principal place of business for that State or area of Indian country." The principal location may be "either residence or office".
17. Under the 171.3 definition of "Indian country", which land within an Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government is included?
- A. All land within the limits of the reservation, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, including rights-of-way running through the reservation
- B. Only reservation land for which no patent has been issued
- C. Reservation land, excluding rights-of-way running through it
- D. Only land that a Tribe has designated as a principal place of business
Show answer
Answer: A. All land within the limits of the reservation, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, including rights-of-way running through the reservation
171.3 includes "All land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and, including rights-of-way running through the reservation."
Effective dates and earlier plans
18. Under 171.5(a), on what date is Part 171 effective?
- A. January 4, 2017
- B. March 4, 2020
- C. March 6, 2017
- D. November 4, 2023
Show answer
Answer: C. March 6, 2017
171.5(a): "This part is effective March 6, 2017."
Source: eCFR: 40 CFR 171.5, Effective date (as of Nov 4, 2026)
19. A certifying authority's plan was approved by EPA before March 6, 2017, and by March 4, 2020 it submitted a proposed modification. Under 171.5(c), until when does the earlier plan remain in effect (subject to paragraph (d) and 171.309(b))?
- A. Until March 4, 2020, regardless of the submission
- B. Until EPA approves the modified plan, with no end date
- C. Until EPA approves or rejects the modified plan or November 4, 2023, whichever is later
- D. Until EPA approves or rejects the modified plan or November 4, 2023, whichever is earlier
Show answer
Answer: D. Until EPA approves or rejects the modified plan or November 4, 2023, whichever is earlier
171.5(c): the earlier plan "will remain in effect until EPA has approved or rejected the modified plan pursuant to § 171.309(a)(4) or November 4, 2023, whichever is earlier", except as provided in paragraph (d) and 171.309(b).
Source: eCFR: 40 CFR 171.5, Effective date (as of Nov 4, 2026)
20. Under 171.5(e), when may a State, Tribe or Federal agency without an EPA-approved certification plan in effect submit a plan to EPA for review and approval?
- A. Only before March 4, 2020
- B. Any time, if the plan meets or exceeds all of the applicable requirements of Part 171
- C. Only before November 4, 2023
- D. Only after another jurisdiction's plan has been rejected
Show answer
Answer: B. Any time, if the plan meets or exceeds all of the applicable requirements of Part 171
171.5(e): they "may submit to EPA for review and approval a certification plan that meets or exceeds all of the applicable requirements of this part any time."
Source: eCFR: 40 CFR 171.5, Effective date (as of Nov 4, 2026)