Question 1

What does the Texas General Standards exam cover?

Accepted Answer

TDA uses General Standards, including laws and regulations, plus at least one category exam before it issues a commercial or noncommercial license. This practice exam mixes the EPA Core Manual chapters, sprayer math, and Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 76 and 4 TAC Chapter 7. TDA does not publish an official item-weight table, so the 100-question mix on this page is our practice blueprint.

Question 2

What are the fees, the passing score, and the retake rule?

Accepted Answer

The testing flyer and 4 TAC § 7.22 set a $64 fee for each exam. A passing grade is 70 percent. There is a 24-hour wait to repeat an exam. Scores are valid for 12 months. Annual license fees on the flyer are $200 commercial, $140 noncommercial, and $75 for a noncommercial political subdivision.

Question 3

How long are application records kept, and what goes in them?

Accepted Answer

Commercial and noncommercial applicators keep a record of every pesticide application for two years under 4 TAC § 7.33. The record includes the date and beginning time, the customer, the location, the product name and EPA registration number, the rate and total volume, the pest, the site, the area treated, wind and air temperature outdoors, equipment, and the responsible applicator's name and license number.

Question 4

What are the CEU requirements?

Accepted Answer

Commercial and noncommercial applicators need five CEUs before the license expires. One hour must come from two of these three topics: integrated pest management, laws and regulations, or drift minimization. Aerial applicators have a stricter split. Correspondence activities cannot be used for two consecutive years.

Question 5

Is there a Texas agricultural technician license?

Accepted Answer

No. Unlicensed people apply restricted-use, state-limited-use, or regulated herbicides only under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator. The licensee does not have to stand on the acre unless the label requires it, but must be available, is responsible, and must work from the same local office unless physically present. Structural pest control technician licenses are a different TDA program.

TDA General Standards practice test

Practice blueprint

Official sources

Questions applicators actually ask