Pesticide Applicator Cheat Sheet

Laws, Labeling + Supervision

Not published of exam
FIFRA Basics Label Sections Label Latitude Rules Records + Supervision Label vs Labeling

Safety, PPE + First Aid

Not published of exam
Signal Words + LD50 PPE Essentials WPS Numbers Poisoning + First Aid PPE Picker

Pests + IPM

Not published of exam
IPM Core Terms Pest Groups Resistance Management Contact vs Systemic

Pesticides + Formulations

Not published of exam
Formulation Codes Formulation Traits Mixing + Compatibility Formulation Picker

Equipment + Application Methods

Not published of exam
Calibration Formulas 1/128 Acre Method Worked Math Examples Units + Conversions Nozzles + Sprayers

Environment + Stewardship

Not published of exam
Drift Factors Groundwater + Runoff Storage + Disposal Spills + Emergencies Pollinators + Species

Quick Facts

Exam Private applicator core
Federal rule 40 CFR Part 171
Administered by State lead agency
Item count Not published federally
Pass mark Set by state
Minimum age 18 years old
Certification 5 years maximum
Recertify Exam or approved CEUs
Core standards 40 CFR 171.105

Label Is Law LA

Rate, site, timing, PPE, REI, PHI
Never exceed labeled rate Site must be listed Lower rate is legal Extra PPE is legal

Private vs Commercial LA

Private

Own or rented land
Producing agricultural commodity
Never for hire

Commercial

Any other certified use
Applies for hire
More categories and exams
Own crop vs for hire

FIFRA Basics LA

FIFRA Federal pesticide law
EPA role Registers products, sets standards
State role Certifies applicators, enforces
Registration Product approved for listed uses
General use No certification needed
Restricted use Certified applicator only RUP
Direct supervision Noncertified applies, certified responsible
Misuse Use inconsistent with labeling
Section 24(c) Special local need label
Section 18 Emergency exemption use
Section 2(ee) Permitted label deviations
Certification term 5 years maximum
Recertification Exam or approved CEUs
Tolerance Legal food residue limit
Stricter state rule Always wins over federal

General vs Restricted Use LA

General use

No certification needed
Lower risk profile

Restricted use

Certified applicator only
RUP box on label
Supervision allowed
Anyone vs certified only

Label Sections LA

RUP box Top of front panel
Brand name Marketing name, not chemical
Ingredient statement Active percent, other percent
Net contents Amount in container
EPA Reg. No. Identifies the product
EPA Est. No. Identifies producing facility
Signal word Acute toxicity of concentrate
Child hazard warning Keep out of reach
First aid Immediate treatment steps
Precautionary statements Human, environmental, physical hazards
PPE statement Minimum legal protective equipment
Ag Use Requirements box WPS applies to product
Directions for use Sites, rates, timing, restrictions
Storage and disposal Storage rules, container handling
Misuse statement Inconsistent use is illegal

Label vs Labeling LA

Label

Printed on container
Attached booklet

Labeling

Label plus supplements
24(c) and 18 directions
Referenced manuals
Container vs everything supplied

Label Latitude Rules LA

Lower rate Legal
Higher rate Never legal
Unlisted pest Legal if site listed
Unlisted site Never legal
Tank mixing Legal unless label prohibits
Different method Legal unless label prohibits
Extra PPE Always legal
Mandatory wording Do not, must, wear
Advisory wording Should, recommend: guidance only
Read the label Buying, mixing, applying, storing

Records + Supervision LA

Federal private RUP records Rescinded July 11, 2025
7 CFR 110 Removed by USDA rule
Now governing State recordkeeping law
Common state rule Record 14 days, keep 2 years
WPS record retention 2 years after REI
WPS display deadline Within 24 hours
Supervisor duty Instructions, label access, availability
Supervised applicator age 18, family exception 16
Family 16 exception No fumigants, no aerial
Certification is jurisdictional Certify in each state

Signal Word Ladder SA

DANGER-POISON, DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION
DANGER-POISON: Category I DANGER: eye or skin WARNING: Category II CAUTION: Category III

REI vs PHI SA

REI

Controls worker entry
Hours after application
Longest in tank mix

PHI

Controls harvest timing
Days before harvest
Protects residue tolerance
Entry vs harvest

PPE Picker SA

Label says DANGER → Full label PPE ( Highest acute toxicity )
Mixing concentrate → Gloves, apron, eyewear ( Highest exposure step )
Label requires eyewear → Goggles or face shield ( Plus eyeflush water )
Dust or mist hazard → N95 particulate respirator ( Match label code )
Vapor or fumigant → Organic vapor cartridge ( Fit test first )
Working overhead → Glove cuffs outside sleeves ( Stops runoff inside )
Hands below shoulders → Sleeves over glove cuffs ( Runoff sheds outward )
Hot weather in PPE → Work early, rotate breaks ( Heat stress risk )

Signal Words + LD50 SA

DANGER + POISON Category I, skull symbol
DANGER alone Category I irritation only
WARNING Toxicity Category II
CAUTION Category III, optional IV
Oral Category I 50 mg/kg or less
Oral Category II Over 50 through 500
Oral Category III Over 500 through 5,000
Oral Category IV Above 5,000 mg/kg
Dermal Category I 200 mg/kg or less
Inhalation Category I 0.2 mg/L or less
LD50 Dose killing half, mg/kg
LC50 Concentration killing half
Lower LD50 More toxic product
Signal word basis Concentrate, not diluted spray

Exposure Routes SA

Dermal, inhalation, oral, ocular
Dermal: most poisonings Groin absorbs most Scalp and ears absorb fast Wash before eating

Acute vs Chronic Toxicity SA

Acute

One short exposure
LD50 sets signal word

Chronic

Repeated low exposure
No signal word warns
One dose vs years

PPE Essentials SA

Label PPE Legal minimum, not maximum
Baseline PPE Long sleeves, pants, shoes, socks
Chemical-resistant materials Nitrile, butyl, neoprene, barrier laminate
Never allowed Leather, canvas, cloth gloves
Hands below shoulders Sleeves over glove cuffs
Hands overhead Glove cuffs over sleeves
N95 respirator Dusts and mists
OV cartridge Organic vapors, fumigants
Tight-fitting respirator Fit test, medical evaluation
Apron Required when mixing, loading
Wash PPE Separate from family laundry
Discard clothing Soaked with concentrate

WPS Numbers SA

Handler decon water 3 gallons each
Worker decon water 1 gallon each
Applying handler eyeflush 1 pint carried per handler
Mix site eyeflush 6 gallons or 0.4 GPM
Decon distance Within 1/4 mile
AEZ, aerial or fine 100 feet
AEZ, ground, coarse spray 25 feet
AEZ scope Within establishment boundaries
Training frequency Every 12 months
Handler minimum age 18 years
Post warning signs Before application starts
Earliest posting 24 hours before application
Remove signs Within 3 days after REI
Standard sign 14 by 16 inches
Display until 30 days after REI
REI Category I 48 hours
72-hour REI trigger Outdoor OP, under 25 inches
REI Category II 24 hours
REI Category III or IV 12 hours
Tank mix REI Longest one governs

Poisoning + First Aid SA

Dermal exposure Most common applicator route
Absorption hotspots Groin, scalp, ear canal
Skin exposure Wash 15-20 minutes
Eye exposure Gentle rinse 15-20 minutes
Inhaled Fresh air, watch breathing
Swallowed Call poison control first
Vomiting Only if labeling directs
OP or carbamate signs Sweating, pinpoint pupils, twitching
Atropine OP and carbamate antidote
2-PAM Organophosphates only, not carbamates
Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
Heat stress PPE raises the risk

IPM Order PE

Identify, monitor, threshold, act, evaluate
Identify species and stage Monitor on a schedule Act at the threshold Evaluate the result

Contact vs Systemic PE

Contact

Kills where it lands
Needs thorough coverage

Systemic

Moves inside the plant
Reaches sucking insects
Coverage vs translocation

IPM Core Terms PE

IPM goal Manage pests, not eradicate
Step one Correct pest identification
Monitoring Scouting on a schedule
Economic injury level Damage equals control cost
Action threshold Set below injury level
Cultural control Rotation, sanitation, resistant varieties
Mechanical control Cultivation, traps, barriers
Biological control Predators, parasitoids, pathogens
Genetic control Resistant plant varieties
Regulatory control Quarantine, certified seed
Chemical control Pesticide, one IPM tool
Pheromone trap Times sprays, rarely controls
Treating below threshold Wastes money, speeds resistance

Injury Level vs Threshold PE

Economic injury level

Damage equals control cost
Break-even pest density

Action threshold

Set below injury level
Triggers treatment earlier
Break-even vs act now

Pest Groups PE

Weeds Annual, biennial, perennial
Insects Six legs, three body regions
Complete metamorphosis Egg, larva, pupa, adult
Gradual metamorphosis Egg, nymph, adult
Mites Eight legs, not insects
Plant diseases Fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes
Disease triangle Host, pathogen, favorable environment
Vertebrates Rodents, birds, other mammals
Chewing insects Stomach poisons work
Sucking insects Need systemic or contact
Best timing Small larvae, seedling weeds

Resistance Management PE

How it starts Survivors breed, trait spreads
Main driver Repeating one mode of action
IRAC, FRAC, HRAC Group numbers on label
Rotation rule Change group, not brand
Rate rule Full labeled rate, correct timing
Cross-resistance Same group also fails
Non-chemical tactics Slow resistance buildup
Failure check Rule out calibration, timing

Tank Mix Order PE

Water, WP, agitate, liquids, EC, surfactant
Half-fill with water Dry products go first Agitate before adding more Surfactants last

EC vs WP PE

EC

Mixes easily, little agitation
Solvents absorb through skin
More phytotoxic

WP

Dust inhalation while mixing
Abrasive, plugs screens
Needs constant agitation
Skin risk vs lung risk

Formulation Picker PE

Skin absorption concern → WP or WDG ( Avoid EC solvents )
Dust inhalation concern → WDG or WSP ( No loose powder )
Phytotoxicity risk → WP or SC ( EC burns foliage )
Little agitation available → EC or SL ( Stays in solution )
No mixing wanted → Granule or RTU ( Ready to use )
Soil-active treatment → Granule ( Needs soil moisture )
Rodent or ant control → Bait ( Attractant based )
Bloom nearby → Avoid dusts, ME ( Bees carry particles )
Small spot job → RTU ( No measuring )

Formulation Codes PE

EC Emulsifiable concentrate
WP Wettable powder
WDG or DF Water-dispersible granule
SC or F Suspension concentrate, flowable
SP Soluble powder
SL Soluble liquid
G Granule
P Pellet
D Dust
B Bait
ULV Ultra-low volume
RTU Ready to use
ME Microencapsulated
WSP Water-soluble packet
A Aerosol

Formulation Traits PE

EC upside Easy mixing, little residue
EC risk Solvents raise skin absorption
EC damage Phytotoxic, softens rubber
WP upside Cheap, low skin absorption
WP risk Dust inhalation while mixing
WP handling Abrasive, plugs screens, settles
WDG upside Pours without dust cloud
Granule upside No mixing, almost no drift
Granule need Soil moisture to release
Dust risk Highest drift and inhalation
Bait Attractant plus small dose
ME risk Bees carry capsules home

Mixing + Compatibility PE

Start tank Half water, agitation running
Add order Product into water, never reverse
Mix sequence WP, agitate, flowables, EC, surfactant
Jar test Proportional mix, stand 15 minutes
Incompatible signs Layers, flakes, gel, sludge
Compatibility agent Add before the pesticides
Highest exposure step Mixing and loading concentrate
Surfactant Improves wetting and spreading
Crop oil concentrate Boosts leaf penetration
Drift retardant Increases droplet size
Rinsate Use as makeup water
Leftover spray Apply to a labeled site

Ounces Equal Gallons EQ

1/128 acre: ounces caught = GPA
1/128 acre = 340.3 sq ft 20-inch spacing = 204 feet Catch one nozzle, timed Read ounces as GPA

Calibration Math Picker EQ

Need gallons per acre → 5940 x GPM/(MPH x W) ( Broadcast boom )
Need nozzle output → GPA x MPH x W/5940 ( Gallons per minute )
No flow meter → 1/128 acre method ( Ounces equal GPA )
Need ground speed → Feet ÷ seconds x 0.682 ( Loaded, working gear )
Need acres per tank → Tank gallons ÷ GPA ( Then multiply rate )
Rate given as ai → Wanted ai ÷ ai content ( Gives product amount )
Percent spray needed → Gallons x 128 x percent ( Answer in ounces )
Banding rows → Broadcast x band/row ( Per field acre )
Applied rate too high → Slow down or smaller tips ( Speed changes GPA )

Calibration Formulas EQ

GPA broadcast 5940 x GPM/(MPH x W)
GPM per nozzle GPA x MPH x W/5940
W Nozzle spacing in inches
Speed check Feet ÷ seconds x 0.682
Acres per tank Tank gallons ÷ GPA
Product per tank Acres per tank x rate
Total spray needed Acres x GPA
lb ai to product Wanted ai ÷ ai content
Percent solution Gallons x 128 x percent
Band rate Broadcast x band/row spacing
Rectangle area Length x width
Circle area 3.14 x radius x radius
Square feet to acres Divide by 43,560

1/128 Acre Method EQ

1/128 acre 340.3 square feet
Why it works Gallon holds 128 ounces
Ounces caught Equal gallons per acre
Course length 340.3 ÷ spacing in feet
15-inch spacing 272 feet
18-inch spacing 227 feet
20-inch spacing 204 feet
30-inch spacing 136 feet
40-inch spacing 102 feet
Then Time course, catch one nozzle
Catch time Seconds the course took

Worked Math Examples EQ

300 gal tank, 20 GPA 15 acres per tank
15 acres x 1.5 pt 22.5 pints, about 2.8 gallons
40 acres at 20 GPA 800 gallons total spray
2 lb ai, 80% WP 2.5 lb product per acre
1 lb ai, 4EC One quart per acre
3% spray, 4-gal backpack 15.4 fluid ounces product
200 feet in 30 seconds 4.5 MPH
0.4 GPM, 5 MPH, 20 in 23.8 gallons per acre
15-inch band, 30-inch rows Half the broadcast rate
6 GPA, 3 gallons left Half an acre remaining
Double the speed Half the gallons per acre
Double nozzle output Needs four times pressure

Units + Conversions EQ

1 gallon 128 fluid ounces
1 gallon 4 quarts, 8 pints
1 pint 16 fluid ounces
1 pound 16 ounces
1 tablespoon 3 teaspoons, 0.5 ounce
1 acre 43,560 square feet
1 mile 5,280 feet
1 MPH 88 feet per minute
1 cubic foot 7.48 gallons
1 acre-inch 27,154 gallons
Water weight 8.34 pounds per gallon
1 percent 10,000 ppm
1 ppm 1 mg/L in water

Nozzles + Sprayers EQ

Flat fan Broadcast boom herbicide
Even flat fan Band applications only
Flood nozzle Coarse droplets, low pressure
Hollow cone Foliar coverage, fungicides, insecticides
Output is set by Orifice and pressure
Pump Supplies volume, not rate
Replace nozzle Over 10% off average
Doubling pressure Only 1.4 times output
Higher pressure Finer droplets, more drift
Screen numbering Higher mesh, finer screen
Calibrate with Clean water only
Recalibrate when Nozzles, speed, or pressure change

Spill Three C's EN

Control, contain, clean up
Control: stop the leak Contain: dike and absorb Clean up: sweep, dispose Never leave it

Leaching vs Runoff EN

Leaching

Moves down through soil
Sandy, porous soils

Runoff

Moves across the surface
Clay, compacted, sloped
Down vs across

Drift Control Picker EN

Sensitive crop downwind → Coarse droplets, buffer strip ( Or do not spray )
Wind under 3 mph → Stop, check inversion ( Dew, fog, layered smoke )
Wind over 10 mph → Postpone the application ( Particle drift risk )
Hot, dry, low humidity → Larger droplets, spray earlier ( Evaporation shrinks droplets )
Volatile product → Incorporate, avoid heat ( Vapor drift )
Boom riding high → Lower boom, wider tips ( Less wind exposure )
Near wells or water → Untreated buffer strip ( Check label setbacks )

Drift Factors EN

Biggest factor Droplet size
Fine droplets Drift farthest
Boom height Lower boom, less drift
Pressure Lower pressure, coarser droplets
Wind speed Best about 3-10 mph
Wind direction Never toward sensitive areas
Temperature inversion Do not spray
Inversion clues Calm air, dew, layered smoke
Hot, dry air Droplets evaporate and shrink
Particle drift Moves during the application
Vapor drift Moves after, volatile products
Buffer zone Untreated downwind strip

Groundwater + Runoff EN

Leaching chemical Soluble, weakly adsorbed, persistent
Half-life Longer means more persistent
Adsorption Binding to soil particles
Leaching soils Sandy, low organic matter
Runoff soils Clay, compacted, sloped
Shallow water table Higher contamination risk
Point source Spills, rinsing near wells
Nonpoint source Field runoff and leaching
Back-siphoning fix Air gap or check valve
Mix and load Away from wells, water

Storage + Disposal EN

Storage room Locked, dry, ventilated, posted
Floor Impervious, no floor drain
Separation Away from food, feed, seed
Herbicides apart Prevent vapor cross-contamination
Original container Never a food container
Inventory Current list, share with firefighters
Triple rinse One-fifth water, three times
Each rinse Drain 30 seconds
Pressure rinse At least 30 seconds
After rinsing Puncture, then recycle
Never Burn or reuse containers
Excess pesticide Apply to a labeled site

Spills + Emergencies EN

Three C's Control, contain, clean up
Control Stop leak, wear PPE
Contain Dike with soil, absorbent
Clean up Absorb, sweep, dispose legally
Never Hose spill toward drains
Never leave A spill site unattended
CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300
National Response Center 1-800-424-8802
Transport rule Never in passenger compartment
Fire response Give inventory, avoid smoke

Pollinators + Species EN

Worst timing Blooming crop, bees foraging
Better timing Late evening or night
Blooming weeds Mow before you spray
Worst formulations Dusts and microencapsulated products
Bee hazard icon Pollinator protection label box
Bulletins Live! Two Endangered species use limits
Bulletin lookup Six months before application label rule
Look up by EPA registration number
Notify beekeepers Hives near treated fields

Common Traps

Label vs labeling

Label is on container ≠ Labeling includes supplemental directions

REI vs PHI

REI controls entry timing ≠ PHI controls harvest timing

Reg number vs Est number

Reg number identifies product ≠ Est number identifies facility

Signal word vs LD50

Signal word rates concentrate ≠ Lower LD50 means deadlier

Injury level vs threshold

Injury level is break-even ≠ Threshold triggers action sooner

Rate vs concentration

Rate is per acre ≠ Concentration is per gallon

Particle vs vapor drift

Particles move during application ≠ Vapors move after application

Toxicity vs hazard

Toxicity is inherent poison ≠ Hazard adds actual exposure

Glove cuffs up or down

Hands down: sleeves outside ≠ Hands overhead: gloves outside

Leaching vs runoff

Leaching moves downward ≠ Runoff moves across surface

Last Minute

1. Label is the law
2. DANGER-POISON = Toxicity Category I
3. Lower LD50 = more toxic
4. REI = entry; PHI = harvest
5. AEZ: 100 ft aerial, 25 ground
6. Handlers 3 gallons, workers 1
7. GPA = 5940 GPM/(MPH x W)
8. 1/128 acre: ounces = GPA
9. Acres per tank = tank ÷ GPA
10. Percent: gallons x 128 x percent
11. Band = broadcast x band/row
12. Threshold sits below injury level
13. Rotate mode-of-action group numbers
14. WP needs agitation; EC absorbs
15. Triple rinse, then puncture container
16. Spill: control, contain, clean up
17. Never spray during temperature inversions
18. Certification lasts five years maximum
19. State sets exam length, score

Pesticide Applicator

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