New Exam Policy Released from PA Department of Agriculture
When the study materials for category exams require significant updates or revisions, that will trigger a process to change the previously open-book certification exam into a closed-book exam. The reasons for this change include:
- Meet changing federal requirements
- Increase exam security
- Align testing practices with the majority of other states allowing for reciprocity agreements
- Offer exams on a more frequent basis
The first category to go through this change was Category 22: Interior Plantscape. Check back here to see when other category exams will be changing to a closed-book format. All category exams will be transitioning to a closed-book format.
Categories that have a closed-book exam include:
- Category 11: Household and Health Related (August 11, 2025--revised manual and new exam)
- Category 15: Public Health: Vertebrate Pests (March 31, 2025)
- Category 07: Lawn and Turf (September 3, 2024--revised manual and new exam)
- Category 12: Wood Destroying Pests (March 4, 2024)
- Category 23: Park or School Pest Control (October 2, 2023)
- Category 26: Sewer Root Control (October 2, 2023)
- Category 10: Right-of-way and Weeds (October 3, 2022)
- Category 13: Structural Fumigation (October 3, 2022)
- Category 16: Public Health: Invertebrate Pests (October 3, 2022)
- Category 20: Commodity and Space Fumigation (October 3, 2022)
- Category 03: Vegetable Crops (November 4, 2019)
- Category 05: Forest Pest Control (December 3, 2018)
- Category 08: Seed Treatment (November 12, 2018)
- Category 19: Wood Preservation (August 1, 2018)
- Category 25: Aerial Applicator (August 1, 2018)
- Category 21: Soil Fumigation (April 23, 2018)
- Category 24: Swimming Pools (December 19, 2016)
- Category 06: Ornamental and Shade Trees (February 29, 2016)
- Category 09: Aquatic Pest Control* (November 30, 2015)
- Category 07: Lawn and Turf (November 2, 2015)
- Category 11: Household and Health Related (March 30, 2015)
- Category 22: Interior Plantscape (February 1, 2014)
* This does not include the cooling towers exam.
Categories anticipated to go closed book within the next year include:
- Category 01: Agronomic Crops
- Category 18: Demonstration and Research
- Category 04: Agricultural Animals
- Category 02: Fruit and Nuts
Categories already closed book but getting a new manual and new exam within the next year include:
- Category 09: Aquatic Pest Control
Questions regarding this new policy should be directed to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture by calling 717-772-5217.
