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Ontario Pesticide Exam: Operating an extermination business

Who an operator may employ, the one-exterminator-per-three rule, duties to other staff, vehicle markers, insurance amounts and licence renewal.

  • 13 questions
  • Topic drill
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Operating an extermination business · Question 1Score 0/0

What minimum commercial general liability insurance must an operator carry?

Study reference: Ontario Pesticides Act, O. Reg. 63/09, OPT&C and Health Canada (Oct 2026), Ch. 11 Operating an extermination business — O. Reg. 63/09 ss. 50, 88–93; ontario.ca Pesticide licences and permits

All 13 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. What minimum commercial general liability insurance must an operator carry?

    1. $2,000,000 per occurrence
    2. $10,000,000 per occurrence
    3. $500,000 per occurrence
    4. $100,000 per occurrence

  2. A business only applies diatomaceous earth (Class D) in buildings. Does it need an operator licence?

    1. No, that use is exempt
    2. Yes, if it has employees
    3. Yes, every pest business does
    4. Only in the first year

  3. Who needs a pesticide operator licence?

    1. Anyone who buys more than 10 litres of pesticide a year
    2. Anyone who sells pesticides in a retail store
    3. Anyone who runs a business employing people to apply pesticides
    4. Every licensed exterminator who works for an employer in Ontario

  4. What minimum pollution liability coverage must a non-aerial operator carry?

    1. $250,000 per occurrence
    2. $5,000,000 per occurrence
    3. $1,000,000 per occurrence
    4. $150,000 per occurrence

  5. When does an operator licence expire?

    1. On December 31 of the year it was issued
    2. On March 31 of the following year
    3. Five years after the date it was issued
    4. When the operator's exterminator licence expires

  6. What must an operator's insurance policy say about cancellation?

    1. The insurer must notify the Director 30 days ahead
    2. The policy may never be cancelled during the year
    3. The operator may cancel without telling anyone
    4. The insurer must tell each client within 24 hours

  7. Right after an operator licence is issued, for how long may a temporary marker be displayed inside the vehicle?

    1. 7 days
    2. One year
    3. 21 days
    4. 60 days

  8. When does the renewal period for a pesticide licence open?

    1. On the day it expires
    2. 30 days after it expires
    3. 90 days before it expires
    4. One year before it expires

  9. A warehouse clerk at a pest control company is neither a technician nor a trainee. What may the clerk do?

    1. Assist on jobs when the shop is quiet
    2. Mix concentrates for the morning routes
    3. Rinse and refill sprayers for technicians
    4. Handle pesticides only in sealed containers

  10. What is the minimum age to hold an operator licence?

    1. 19
    2. 21
    3. 16
    4. 18

  11. What must every vehicle used by an operator to transport or apply pesticides display?

    1. The company's phone number on both front doors
    2. The current year's ministry ID marker on the rear
    3. A copy of the operator licence on the dashboard
    4. A flashing amber light while on the road

  12. An operator has five technicians working on jobs. At least how many licensed exterminators must it employ?

    1. One
    2. Two
    3. Five
    4. Three

  13. Which records must be kept for at least two years?

    1. Client phone numbers and marketing lists only
    2. Supervisee training records and acute bait placement records
    3. Daily fuel receipts and the full vehicle maintenance log only
    4. Weather reports for each outdoor job only

Operating an extermination business: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Running an extermination business

  • An operator may employ only licensed exterminators of the right class, technicians or trainees to perform or assist in exterminations.
  • At least one licensed exterminator is needed for every three or fewer technicians or trainees.
  • Other staff (for example, office or warehouse staff) may not perform or assist, may handle pesticides only in sealed containers and may handle empty Class B or C containers only after rinsing.
  • Employers must ensure no worker suffers harm from pesticide exposure.

Vehicles, exemptions and insurance

  • Vehicles used to transport or apply pesticides need the current year's ministry identification marker on the rear.
  • Businesses that only use certain Class D products (enclosed bait stations, wood preservatives, or soap, mineral oil or diatomaceous earth for structural work) do not need an operator licence.
  • Insurance: employers' liability at least $1 million (unless covered by WSIB), commercial general liability at least $2 million, pollution liability at least $1 million.
  • Insurers must give the Director 30 days' notice by registered mail before cancelling the policy.

Pesticide licences and permits; OPT&C guide

  • Operator licences expire December 31 each year and must be renewed annually.
  • Operators must be 18 or older, hold a valid Ontario exterminator licence and carry appropriate insurance.
  • Licence information changes must be reported within 10 days; renewals open 90 days before expiry.
  • Records of training for supervised workers are kept at least two years after the worker leaves; rodenticide placement records are kept two years.

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