Free Practice Questions for Ontario Pesticide Structural Exam

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Exam Review

Key Facts: Ontario Pesticide Structural Exam Exam

50 MCQ / 1.5 hr

OPT&C Structural module exam format (open book)

ontariopesticide.com / OPT&C Info Guide 2025

75%

Minimum pass mark on category and Core exams

OPT&C Exterminators Info Guide 2025

2 years

Retention of rodenticide application records (4-aminopyridine, strychnine, zinc phosphide)

O. Reg. 63/09 s. 66(2)

Sign G

Warning sign required for pesticide storage areas

O. Reg. 63/09 s. 108(2) (vehicles) and s. 109(1) para 3 (storage areas)

1-800-268-6060

Ontario Spills Action Centre toll-free

ontario.ca report pollution and spills

Ontario’s OPT&C Structural Exterminator exam is 50 open-book MCQs in 1.5 hours with a 75% pass mark, paired with the closed-book Core exam. Certification is valid one year to apply for an MECP Exterminator Licence ($90 for five years). This free practice bank offers 100 category-specific questions covering structural pests, safety, and calculations.

Sample Ontario Pesticide Structural Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Ontario Pesticide Structural Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 126+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following physical characteristics is most reliable for identifying a German cockroach (Blattella germanica)?

A.Two dark longitudinal stripes on the pronotum

B.A solid dark brown band across the abdomen

C.A light yellow margin around the entire body

D.A reddish-brown color with fully functional flight wings

Explanation: German cockroaches are best identified by two dark longitudinal stripes (pronotal bands) running down the pronotum, directly behind the head. They are light brown to tan in color and, while they have wings, they rarely fly.

2A structural exterminator notices that a cockroach is carrying a light brown egg capsule (ootheca) attached to the end of its abdomen. Which species is this behavior most characteristic of?

A.German cockroach (Blattella germanica)

B.Brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

C.American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

D.Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

Explanation: The female German cockroach carries the ootheca attached to her abdomen until about 24 to 48 hours before the eggs are ready to hatch. This protects the eggs from dry conditions and predators.

3Which cockroach species is most likely to be found nesting in high, dry areas of a building, such as upper cabinets, picture frames, and bedroom furniture, rather than in kitchens and bathrooms?

A.Brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

B.German cockroach (Blattella germanica)

C.Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

D.American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

Explanation: Brown-banded cockroaches prefer dry, warm locations and can survive in areas with less moisture than German cockroaches. This leads them to infest non-food areas like living rooms, bedrooms, and high cabinets.

4Which of the following cockroach species is commonly referred to as the 'waterbug' due to its preference for damp, dark, and cool areas like sewers, crawl spaces, and drains?

A.Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

B.German cockroach (Blattella germanica)

C.Brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

D.Smokybrown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa)

Explanation: Oriental cockroaches have a very high moisture requirement and prefer cool, damp habitats (below 29 degrees Celsius). They are frequently found in basements, sewers, drains, and mulch beds.

5What is a key anatomical distinction of the adult American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)?

A.It is the largest common pest cockroach, reaching 35 to 50 mm in length, and is reddish-brown with a pale yellow band around the pronotum.

B.It is small (10 to 15 mm) with two dark longitudinal bands on its head capsule.

C.The wings of both males and females are vestigial (short and non-functional), covering less than half of the abdomen.

D.It is a uniform glossy black color with short, stout legs and no visible wing pads.

Explanation: The American cockroach is the largest of the common structural cockroach pests (typically 35-50 mm long). It features a reddish-brown color with a distinctive pale yellow margin or band around the edge of the pronotum.

6How many nymphal instars does a bed bug (Cimex lectularius) go through, and what must occur for the bed bug to progress to each subsequent stage?

A.Five instars; a blood meal is required before each molt.

B.Three instars; a blood meal is required only for the final molt.

C.Six instars; development is temperature-dependent and does not require feeding.

D.Four instars; they must feed on organic dust and skin flakes between molts.

Explanation: Bed bugs undergo gradual metamorphosis with five distinct nymphal instars. At each stage, the nymph must feed on a blood meal in order to shed its skin (molt) and progress to the next instar.

7Which of the following statements regarding the reproductive biology and behavior of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) is correct?

A.Mating occurs via traumatic insemination, where the male pierces the female's abdominal wall.

B.Females lay eggs in clusters of 500 directly on the host's body.

C.They lay eggs only in free-standing water source areas such as sink traps.

D.A single mating is sufficient for a female to lay eggs for her entire lifetime without further meals.

Explanation: Bed bugs reproduce through traumatic insemination, where the male uses a specialized reproductive organ to pierce the female's abdomen (at the Organ of Berlese) and inject sperm. Females also require regular blood meals to continue laying viable eggs.

8When comparing the physical features of a Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and a Roof rat (Rattus rattus), which of the following is true?

A.The Norway rat has a heavy, stocky body and a tail shorter than its head-plus-body; the Roof rat has a slender body and a tail longer than its head-plus-body.

B.The Norway rat has large, prominent ears that can be pulled down to cover its eyes; the Roof rat has small, thick, hair-covered ears that barely rise above its fur.

C.The Norway rat has a pointed snout; the Roof rat has a blunt snout.

D.The Norway rat is an excellent climber and nests in high ceilings; the Roof rat prefers burrowing underground.

Explanation: Norway rats have a heavy, robust body with a blunt snout, small ears, and a tail that is shorter than the combined length of the head and body. Roof rats are sleeker and lighter, with a pointed snout, large ears, and a tail that is longer than the head and body combined.

9Which of the following nesting habits is most characteristic of the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) in urban environments?

A.Burrowing in soil along foundations, under concrete slabs, and near garbage piles

B.Building open nests high in deciduous trees and roof structures

C.Nesting in wall voids located strictly on the third floor or higher of buildings

D.Constructing suspended mud tubes along vertical masonry surfaces

Explanation: Norway rats are semi-fossorial and naturally prefer to burrow in soil. They commonly dig burrows near building foundations, under sidewalks, concrete pads, and adjacent to food sources like trash bins.

10What is a key behavioral difference regarding water consumption between the House mouse (Mus musculus) and the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)?

A.The House mouse can survive without free water by extracting moisture from its food, whereas the Norway rat requires 15 to 30 mL of free water daily.

B.The House mouse requires at least 50 mL of water daily, whereas the Norway rat gets all its water from metabolic processes.

C.Both species must submerge their muzzle in free water to drink, preventing the use of gel or block baits.

D.The Norway rat drinks only contaminated sewer water, whereas the House mouse requires pristine condensation water.

Explanation: House mice are highly adapted to dry environments and can obtain their daily water requirement (only about 1-2 mL) from the food they eat. Norway rats, however, cannot survive without drinking free water daily, requiring around 15-30 mL depending on their diet.

About the Ontario Pesticide Structural Exam Exam

The Ontario OPT&C Structural Exterminator module exam is the open-book category-specific test required for structural exterminator licensing. It covers pest biology and identification (insects, rodents, stored-product pests, wood-boring pests), structural legislation under the Pesticides Act and O. Reg. 63/09, application equipment (sprayers, dusters, foggers), dilution/volume treatment calculations, and IPM/safety protocols for indoor structures.

Exam sponsor: Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification (University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus); licence issued by MECP. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Official pathway: Core Manual exam (50 MCQ, 1 hour, closed book) plus Structural Licence Category Specific Module exam (50 MCQ, 1.5 hours, open book). Both require ≥75%. This bank focuses on the structural-specific module competencies.

Time Limit

1.5 hours (Structural Module exam)

Passing Score

75%

Exam / Certification Fees

CAD $214 Core + one category package (OPT&C exterminator page); 2025 Info Guide listed CAD $195. MECP licence CAD $90 / five years.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Not published

Pest Biology & Identification

Identification, life cycles, and behavior of indoor structural pests (cockroaches, bed bugs, rodents, wood-destroying insects)

Not published

Ontario Legislation & Signage

Pesticides Act, O. Reg. 63/09, licensing classes, Sign G, storage/transport rules, and structural notification/records

Not published

Equipment & Application Methods

Compressed air sprayers, dusters, baiting techniques, ULV fogging, maintenance, and nozzle calibration

Not published

Treatment Calculations

Dilution ratios, active ingredient amounts, space treatment volume, and target application dosage calculations

Not published

IPM & Safety Practices

Structural Integrated Pest Management, exclusion, rodenticide safety, PPE selection, and indoor spill decontamination

Preparing for the Ontario Pesticide Structural Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75%
Assessment: Official pathway: Core Manual exam (50 MCQ, 1 hour, closed book) plus Structural Licence Category Specific Module exam (50 MCQ, 1.5 hours, open book). Both require ≥75%. This bank focuses on the structural-specific module competencies.
Time limit: 1.5 hours (Structural Module exam)
Exam / certification fees: CAD $214 Core + one category package (OPT&C exterminator page); 2025 Info Guide listed CAD $195. MECP licence CAD $90 / five years. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Review every answer and explanation
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Ontario Pesticide Structural Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Familiarize yourself with structural pest life cycles, particularly complete vs. incomplete metamorphosis.

2Bring the official Structural Module Manual to the exam, as it is open-book, and ensure you use tabs for quick navigation.

3Practice multi-step concentration calculations: finding active ingredient amounts, volume/area calculations, and liquid dilutions.

4Memorize the different warning signs: Sign G is required for chemical storage areas, and specific notice rules apply to structural treatments.

5Understand the biology and treatment of common wood-destroying pests like carpenter ants, termites, and powderpost beetles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Ontario OPT&C Structural module exam?

The Structural module exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, lasts 1.5 hours, and is open book. You must also pass the separate closed-book Core Manual exam (50 MCQ, 1 hour).

What score do I need to pass the Ontario pesticide Structural exam?

You need 75% or greater on both the Core Manual exam and the Structural Category Specific module exam to receive OPT&C certification.

Does the Structural Exterminator Licence allow outdoor landscaping treatments?

No. The Structural class licence covers structural exterminations other than pests of plants, and under s. 71(1) also land exterminations on pests of farm animals at an agricultural operation, on mammals, birds or arthropods at a waste disposal site, and on animals that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease. For outdoor lawns, ornamental plants, or forestry, you must obtain a separate Land/Landscape Exterminator Licence, and termite work requires the separate Termite class licence.

What are the rules for storing pesticides in a vehicle overnight in Ontario?

If you store commercial pesticides in a vehicle overnight, you must secure the vehicle against unauthorized access, lock the pesticides, and where O. Reg. 63/09 s. 112 applies to the pesticides stored, give written notice of the storage location to the fire department responsible for the area where the vehicle is normally kept.

How long must a licensed structural exterminator keep treatment records?

O. Reg. 63/09 s. 66(2) requires a structural exterminator who uses 4-aminopyridine, strychnine or zinc phosphide to keep the application record for at least two years; the regulation sets no general five-year application-record rule. Employers and vendors keep their own registers under separate sections.