What is the CORE Exam?
The CORE exam is required for all commercial pesticide applicators in Michigan. It tests your knowledge of pesticide laws, safety practices, application methods, and environmental protection. You must pass the CORE exam before you can take any category-specific exam (7A, 7B, 7F, etc.).
The actual MDARD exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a 70% score to pass. Our practice exam bank has 229 CORE questions — giving you more than enough material to prepare thoroughly.
Focus most of your time on Chapter 2 (Laws & Regulations) — it's the biggest section with the most exam questions. Then move to Labels, PPE, and Safety.
Table of Contents
The CORE exam covers 11 chapters. Click any chapter to jump to its study guide section.
Ch. 1 Pest Management
This chapter covers the fundamentals of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), pest identification, and the decision-making process for when and how to apply pesticides. You need to understand the difference between pest prevention, suppression, and eradication.
Key concept: IPM is a systematic approach that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods. The goal is to manage pests effectively with minimal risk to people and the environment.
Ch. 2 Pesticide Laws & Regulations
This is the most heavily tested chapter on the CORE exam. It covers FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act), Michigan's Act 451 Part 83, Regulation 636, and Regulation 637. You need to know licensing requirements, recordkeeping rules, and the difference between commercial applicators, registered technicians, and private applicators.
Key concept: FIFRA is the federal law governing pesticide regulation. The EPA registers pesticides at the federal level, while MDARD enforces state-specific rules. Certification is valid for 3 years in Michigan.
This chapter alone accounts for ~45 questions in our practice bank. Know your recordkeeping timelines: 1 year for general-use, 3 years for restricted-use pesticides.
Ch. 3 Pesticide Labels
The label is the law. This chapter tests your ability to read, interpret, and follow pesticide labels. You need to know signal words, active ingredients, precautionary statements, and how to determine proper application rates from the label.
Key concept: Signal words indicate toxicity — DANGER (Category I, most toxic), WARNING (Category II), and CAUTION (Category III/IV, least toxic).
Ch. 4 Pesticide Formulations
Know the common formulation types: EC (emulsifiable concentrate), WP (wettable powder), granular, bait, aerosol, dust, and more. Understand how each formulation is mixed, applied, and what situations each is best suited for.
Ch. 5 Toxicity & Safety
Understand LD50, LC50, exposure routes (oral, dermal, inhalation), acute vs chronic toxicity, and how to respond to pesticide exposure incidents. This chapter also covers how to read Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Key concept: LD50 is the dose that kills 50% of test animals. A lower LD50 means higher toxicity. This is a commonly tested concept.
Ch. 6 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Know what PPE is required for different pesticide applications, how to properly don and doff PPE, and what the label specifies for chemical-resistant gloves, respirators, coveralls, and eye protection.
Ch. 7 Environmental Protection
Covers how pesticides move through the environment — drift, runoff, leaching, and volatilization. Know how to protect groundwater, surface water, and non-target organisms including endangered species.
Ch. 8 Pesticide Storage & Transportation
Learn proper storage facility requirements, container management, and DOT (Department of Transportation) regulations for transporting pesticides. This includes placarding rules and what to do during a transport spill.
Ch. 9 Pesticide Spills & Emergencies
Know the emergency response procedures for pesticide spills, who to contact, how to contain and clean up spills, and decontamination procedures. Also covers notification requirements under Michigan law.
Ch. 10 Pesticide Application Methods
Covers the various methods of applying pesticides — spraying, dusting, baiting, fumigation, injection — and when each method is appropriate. Includes understanding of application techniques for different pest situations.
Ch. 11 Application Equipment & Calibration
Understanding sprayer types, nozzle selection, pressure settings, and most importantly — calibration. You need to be able to calculate application rates, dilution ratios, and ensure proper coverage.
Expect calibration math on the exam. Practice converting between gallons, acres, and psi. Know the 1/128 ounce-per-gallon rule for mixing.
Tips for Passing the CORE Exam
Chapter 2 (Laws & Regulations) is the biggest section. If you can nail the legal questions, you're already well on your way to passing.
DANGER = most toxic, WARNING = moderately toxic, CAUTION = least toxic. The label is the law — if a question asks what to do, the answer is almost always "follow the label."
Calibration and dilution math trips up a lot of people. Practice converting application rates and mixing ratios until it's second nature.
Our questions are randomized every time. Take the practice exam at least 3-5 times and aim for 80%+ before scheduling your real exam.
Ready to Practice?
Test your CORE knowledge with our free practice exam — 75 randomized questions with instant feedback.
Study Guides for Other Categories
7A, 7B, and 7F study guides are in development. Use the flashcards and practice exams for those categories in the meantime.