Core exams
Commercial applicators pass the 100 question core first, then add at least one category. Private applicators take a single 50 question exam instead.
Commercial categories
Each is a separate 50 question exam taken after the core. Termites and household pests are not here: North Carolina regulates structural pest control under a separate act with its own licence.
Category AAquatic Pest ControlPest control in and around water.43 questionsCategory BPublic HealthOutdoor work only: mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks and sewer root control. Anything in, on, over or under a structure needs a structural licence instead.90 questionsCategory GForestryForests, forest nurseries and forest seed-producing areas. Ornamental and shade trees belong to Category L, and Christmas trees fall under private certification.41 questionsCategory HRight-of-WayRoadsides, utility corridors, railways and industrial sites.43 questionsCategory IRegulatoryGovernment pest control work: quarantine, eradication and official suppression.50 questionsCategory KAgricultural Pest Animal, LivestockPests of livestock and the premises that house them.45 questionsCategory K(PU)Agricultural Pest Animal, PoultryPests in poultry houses and on poultry.45 questionsCategory K(SA)Agricultural Pest Animal, Small AnimalPest control on small animals and in their housing.45 questionsCategory LOrnamental and TurfOrnamental plants, shade trees and turf in one combined exam. It does not cover mosquito work, which needs Category B.143 questionsCategory MSeed TreatmentApplying pesticides to seed held for resale.47 questionsCategory NDemonstration and ResearchDemonstrating pesticide use and conducting field research. The heaviest credit load of any category.50 questionsCategory OAgricultural Pest PlantAll pests of agricultural crops and grasslands, insects and diseases as well as weeds. The name says pest plant, but it means the crop side of agricultural pest control.98 questionsCategory PAerialApplication from aircraft, including drones. A method category that must be combined with at least one other, and it recertifies every two years rather than five.47 questionsCategory SCommercial Soil FumigationFumigants injected into soil or growing media. Fumigating stored commodities is the separate Z(CF) certification.44 questionsCategory TWood TreatmentPreserving wood and wood products before use. Not termite or structural work, which is licensed separately.44 questionsDealerNorth Carolina Pesticide DealerRequired to sell restricted use pesticides. No core exam, dealer exam only.29 questions
Private categories
Three sub-certifications added to private certification. All are open book, with NCDA&CS supplying the manual at the exam site, and all run on the three year private cycle.
Private Z(SF)Private Soil FumigationPrivate applicator sub-certification for soil and growing media fumigants.44 questionsPrivate Z(CF)Private Commodity FumigationPrivate applicator sub-certification for fumigating stored agricultural commodities.46 questionsPrivate Z(P)Private AerialPrivate applicator aerial sub-certification. Open book, and it runs on the three year private cycle rather than the two year commercial one.47 questions