Question 1

What is on the Ohio Commercial Core exam?

Accepted Answer

ODA says the exams cover federal and state pesticide law, integrated pest management, best management practices, pest identification, and reading a label. Commercial Core is 90 multiple-choice questions in English with a 70 percent passing score. You also need at least one category exam. The domain counts on this page are our practice blueprint; ODA does not publish an item-weight table.

Question 2

What does the exam cost, and what does the license cost?

Accepted Answer

ODA's exam page says written exams are offered at no cost. The commercial applicator license fee in OAC 901:5-11-04 is $35 per licensing period and is non-refundable. Exam results stay valid for one year.

Question 3

How do trained serviceperson rules work?

Accepted Answer

Before the first occupational exposure, the employee reads ODA's Safety Training Guide for Trained Servicepersons or takes equivalent training. The employee and supervisor verify that in writing. The employer keeps the verification during employment and for three years after termination. During an application, the supervising commercial applicator must be within 25 miles or two hours of the work site.

Question 4

How long are commercial application records kept?

Accepted Answer

The applicator records the job, in English, on the date of application and sends a copy to the business or employer within 10 days. The business keeps it for three years. Field-style records include wind direction, velocity, and air temperature. Private applicators keep restricted-use records for three years under ORC 921.14.

Question 5

How does recertification work?

Accepted Answer

Every three years a commercial applicator retests or completes five hours of approved training: at least one hour of core and at least one-half hour in each licensed category. Credits do not carry into the next cycle. The $35 license fee is still paid on the license period; the five hours are the three-year recertification path.

ODA Commercial Core practice test

Practice blueprint

Official sources

Questions applicators actually ask