Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What defines a commercial certified applicator under FIFRA?

1. They only apply pesticides for personal gardens

2. They use pesticides exclusively for agricultural purposes on private land

3. They supervise pesticide usage for properties other than their own

4. They apply pesticides only in residential settings

The correct answer is: They supervise pesticide usage for properties other than their own

A commercial certified applicator under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is defined as someone who applies pesticides for compensation or who supervises the application of pesticides on properties that they do not own. This includes a range of activities, such as working in agricultural settings, commercial landscaping, structural pest control, and other environments where pest management services are provided to clients. The correct answer reflects this definition, emphasizing that a commercial certified applicator is engaged in supervising or applying pesticides in varying environments not limited to residential or agricultural settings alone. This role requires a deeper understanding of pest management, regulations, and the safe use of pesticides in a commercial context. In contrast, other scenarios outlined in the options don't meet the broader scope of what defines a commercial applicator under FIFRA. For example, applying pesticides solely for personal gardens, or exclusively for agricultural purposes on private land, restricts the scope to personal use or specific settings and does not encompass the commercial nature required for certification. Similarly, applying pesticides only in residential settings may limit the applicator's operations to a narrower range of pest control services and does not capture the full range of responsibilities typical of commercial certified applicators.