Which States Use the National Pesticide Core Exam
Arizona gives the national core exam. Mississippi, Oklahoma, Iowa and North Dakota set their core exams by the same federal standards, which also call for knowledge of state law.
| State | What the state says about its core exam | Pass | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Applicants take the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Exam, which tests the federal core standards. | 75% | A.A.C. R3-8-211; Arizona Department of Agriculture |
| Mississippi | The exam includes the federal general standards (40 CFR 171.103). It may also test Mississippi law. | Not published | 2 Miss. Admin. Code 1-3-11-01-105.01 |
| Oklahoma | The Phase I exam meets the federal competency standards (40 CFR 171.103). It may also test Oklahoma law. | 70% | OAC 35:30-17-4 |
| Iowa | The exam covers the federal minimum standards (40 CFR 171.101 and 171.103) and the rule's own safety topics. It may also test Iowa law. | Not published | Iowa Admin. Code r. 21-45.22 |
| North Dakota | Applicants show the federal core competencies (40 CFR 171.103). The exam may also test North Dakota law. | Not published | N.D. Admin. Code 60-03-01-05.1 |
National Pesticide Core Exam Practice Test
Does the national core practice exam cover my state's law?
No. It covers the federal core standards and federal rules only. Arizona's core is the national exam (Arizona Department of Agriculture), which tests the federal core standards (A.A.C. R3-8-211). The federal standards include knowledge of applicable state laws (40 CFR 171.103(c)(8)), so the Mississippi, Oklahoma, Iowa and North Dakota core exams may also ask about state law.
What score passes?
Arizona: at least 75% on the core (A.A.C. R3-8-211). Oklahoma: 70% (OAC 35:30-17-4). Mississippi, Iowa and North Dakota don't publish a core pass mark in the sources read.
How long is the exam?
Oklahoma's testing vendor, PSI, lists 50 questions in 75 minutes, closed book (PSI candidate bulletin). Arizona, Mississippi, Iowa and North Dakota don't publish the core exam's length.
Who gives the exam?
Arizona: the Pest Management Division or its contracted testing vendor (A.A.C. R3-8-211). Oklahoma: by computer at a site the board picks (OAC 35:30-17-4). Iowa: the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (r. 21-45.22). North Dakota: NDSU Extension, by appointment at county Extension offices (60-03-01-05.1; NDSU).
Can I retake a failed exam?
Arizona: after at least seven days, and no more than twice in six months (A.A.C. R3-8-211). North Dakota: after three or more days (60-03-01-05.1).
Is there a minimum age?
Iowa and North Dakota require commercial applicators to be at least 18 (Iowa Admin. Code r. 21-45.22; N.D. Admin. Code 60-03-01-05.1).