Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which license is required to apply these chemicals to your own property?

1. Private applicators

2. Commercial applicators

3. Farming applicators

4. Industry applicators

The correct answer is: Private applicators

A private applicator license is required to apply pesticides, including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides, to one's own property under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This license is designated for individuals who apply pesticides for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on their own land or for the land of another person if payment is not received. The private applicator license reflects the understanding that the individual applying these chemicals is responsible for their safe use and that they are using them in a context where they directly own or control the land. This encompasses a variety of agricultural scenarios where personal application is common, such as maintaining farm fields, orchards, or personal gardens. While the other options may refer to types of applications, they do not pertain to applying pesticides on one's personal property. Commercial applicators, for example, are licensed to apply pesticides for hire or for business purposes, which does not align with the context of self-application on private land. Farming and industry applicators are not official designations under FIFRA and do not reflect the regulatory framework necessary for applying chemicals personally on private property.