NYS PCO Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NYS PCO facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. If a certified applicator's license lapses in New York, they must do which of the following to reinstate it? → Complete required continuing education credits and pay renewal fees
2. Which PPE component protects a PCO from dermal pesticide exposure when working with liquid concentrates? → Chemical-resistant apron
3. What does GPM stand for in pesticide sprayer calibration? → Gallons Per Minute
4. The American dog tick is a vector for which disease in New York State? → Rocky Mountain spotted fever
5. Which method of pesticide application is generally preferred in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program because it minimizes non-target exposure? → Targeted crack, crevice, and spot treatments
6. When using a compressed air sprayer to treat cracks and crevices, the recommended internal pressure is → 5 to 20 psi
7. Which cockroach species is the smallest and most commonly found in kitchen and restaurant infestations in New York? → German cockroach (Blattella germanica)
8. Under New York's IPM requirements for schools, PCOs must prioritize which approach? → Non-chemical or least-toxic chemical methods first, with notification before pesticide use
9. Under NYS DEC rules, a commercial pesticide applicator must notify building occupants before an indoor application by: → Providing advance notice as required by the specific pesticide label and state law
10. Exclusion, as an IPM strategy, involves: → Sealing entry points to prevent pest access to a structure
11. What is the maximum civil penalty per violation for an unlicensed person performing commercial pesticide applications in New York? → $5,000 per violation
12. Which stage of the cat flea's life cycle is latent until it receives a signal that the host is present? → Pupa
13. Which stored product pest creates silken webbing inside grain and flour containers? → Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella)
14. When mixing pesticides, the correct order of addition to the spray tank is: → Fill tank halfway with water → add wettable powder or flowable → then remaining water
15. In the IPM hierarchy, pesticides are considered: → A last resort used only when other methods are insufficient or impractical
16. NYS requires recertification credits (continuing education) for certified applicators on a cycle of every: → 3 years
17. What is the purpose of calibrating a pesticide application equipment before use? → To ensure the correct amount of pesticide is delivered per unit area
18. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Section 8 provides information on: → Exposure controls and personal protective equipment
19. A NY pesticide dealer must obtain a dealer registration from the NYS DEC if they sell: → Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs)
20. What is the primary purpose of a pre-application site inspection before treating a structure? → To identify pest species, harborage areas, and conducive conditions
21. How many meetings can a person plan in a single day at most? → 7
22. European paper wasps are frequently manageable by destroying or removing a nest (true or false). → TRUE
23. When treating a multi-unit residential building in New York State, what notice must typically be provided to occupants prior to a pesticide application? → A 48-hour written notice as required by NYS law for multi-family dwellings
24. For cockroach management under IPM in a New York restaurant, the FIRST recommended step is: → Thorough inspection to identify harborage sites and species
25. The use of pheromone traps in an IPM program primarily serves to: → Monitor pest populations and determine if action thresholds are met
26. When is a NY PCO required to provide a written pesticide application report to a building owner or manager? → Upon request or when required by contract or regulation
27. A straightforward device that uses a stiff bar that pivots on a supporting piece to lift or pry up a weight at one end by applying force at the other → Lever
28. Which of the following best describes an IPM 'preventive' control measure for rodents? → Sealing gaps larger than ¼ inch with rodent-proof materials before infestation occurs
29. The presence of mud tubes along a foundation is a primary sign of which pest? → Subterranean termites
30. Which type of fly is associated with filth breeding in garbage, feces, and decaying organic matter in New York food facilities? → House fly (Musca domestica)