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Free Practice Questions for Florida WDO (Termite) Exam

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Key Facts: Florida WDO (Termite) Exam Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

70%

Passing Score

FDACS

50

Core Exam Questions

FDACS

Ch. 482

Florida Structural Pest Control Act

Florida Statutes

Form 13645

Statewide WDO Report

FDACS

3 yrs

Experience Pathway

FDACS

The Florida Termite & Other Wood-Destroying Organisms (WDO) category is the FDACS structural pest control certification, under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, and Rule 5E-14, F.A.C., that authorizes wood-destroying organism inspections, Form 13645 WDO reports, and termite treatments. To certify, a candidate passes the 50-question General Standards (Core) exam and the multiple-choice WDO category exam, each requiring 70%, and typically documents a high school education plus three years of category experience. The WDO category is distinct from Florida's agricultural pesticide applicator program and from the General Household Pest category. Content spans termite and WDO biology and identification, soil termiticide treatments and baiting systems, Form 13645 inspection reporting, pesticide chemistry and safety, and Florida structural pest law and consumer protection. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample Florida WDO (Termite) Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Florida WDO (Termite) Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which genus of subterranean termite is the most economically destructive invasive species in South Florida and is known for building large carton nests and aggressive foraging?
A.Reticulitermes
B.Coptotermes (Formosan)
C.Kalotermes
D.Incisitermes
Explanation: The Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) and the Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi) are highly aggressive invasive subterranean termites that cause more structural damage in South Florida than all other wood-destroying organisms combined. Coptotermes colonies can number in the millions and build aerial carton nests.
2What is the primary diagnostic evidence used to identify an active subterranean termite infestation during a Florida WDO inspection?
A.Six-sided fecal pellets (frass)
B.Mud (shelter) tubes
C.Round emergence holes 1/8 inch wide
D.Surface blistering of paint only
Explanation: Subterranean termites require soil moisture and build mud (shelter) tubes of soil and feces to travel between the ground and wood while remaining protected. Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, and slab penetrations are the classic sign of subterranean termite activity.
3Drywood termites are distinguished from subterranean termites primarily by which biological characteristic?
A.They require contact with soil for moisture
B.They live entirely within the wood and need no ground contact
C.They build mud tubes across foundations
D.They are not capable of flight
Explanation: Drywood termites (family Kalotermitidae, e.g., Incisitermes and Cryptotermes) live entirely inside dry, sound wood and obtain moisture metabolically, so they need no contact with soil or external moisture. This is why they are found in attics, furniture, and wood far above ground level.
4The small, hard, six-sided fecal pellets that accumulate in small piles beneath infested wood are the hallmark sign of which pest?
A.Subterranean termites
B.Drywood termites
C.Carpenter ants
D.Wood-decaying fungi
Explanation: Drywood termites push their distinctive six-sided fecal pellets (frass) out of small kick-out holes, where the pellets accumulate in piles below the infestation. The concave sides and uniform shape of the pellets are a definitive identification feature.
5In a termite colony, which caste is responsible for foraging, feeding the colony, and causing essentially all of the wood damage?
A.Soldiers
B.Workers
C.Alates (reproductives)
D.The queen
Explanation: Worker termites are the sterile, wingless caste that forages for cellulose, feeds the colony through trophallaxis, and does the actual wood-consuming damage. Soldiers defend the colony and reproductives produce offspring, but neither feeds itself or damages wood.
6A winged termite swarmer (alate) can be distinguished from a winged ant by which feature?
A.Two pairs of wings of equal length and a broad waist
B.A narrow, pinched waist and elbowed antennae
C.Only one pair of wings
D.Wings much shorter than the body
Explanation: Termite alates have four wings of equal length and shape, straight (beaded) antennae, and a broad waist with no constriction. Ants, by contrast, have a pinched (constricted) waist, elbowed antennae, and forewings longer than hindwings.
7Which wood-destroying organism is characterized by tiny round emergence holes and very fine, flour-like frass that sifts out of the holes?
A.Old house borer
B.Lyctid (true) powderpost beetle
C.Carpenter bee
D.Subterranean termite
Explanation: Lyctid powderpost beetles attack the sapwood of hardwoods and produce very fine, talc-like frass that flows freely from small (about 1/32 to 1/16 inch) round exit holes. The flour-fine consistency of the frass distinguishes them from other wood borers.
8Under Florida WDO terminology, the old house borer primarily attacks which type of wood?
A.Hardwood sapwood
B.Seasoned softwood (coniferous) framing lumber
C.Decayed, fungus-softened wood
D.Tropical hardwoods only
Explanation: The old house borer (Hylotrupes bajulus) is a longhorned beetle that infests seasoned softwood (coniferous) lumber such as pine framing. Larvae make a rasping sound while tunneling and leave oval exit holes with tightly packed, blunt-ended frass pellets.
9Wood-decaying (brown-rot and white-rot) fungi require which condition to actively degrade structural wood?
A.Wood moisture content generally above about 28-30%
B.Completely dry wood below 8% moisture
C.Direct sunlight on the wood surface
D.Soil temperatures below freezing
Explanation: Wood-decay fungi need free water and generally become active when wood moisture content exceeds roughly 28-30% (above the fiber saturation point). Controlling moisture intrusion and keeping wood dry is the primary means of preventing and arresting fungal decay.
10Why are subterranean termite colonies generally far more damaging to a structure than drywood termite colonies?
A.Subterranean colonies are much larger and contain many more foraging workers
B.Drywood termites cannot digest cellulose
C.Subterranean termites bore larger individual galleries
D.Drywood termites only eat painted surfaces
Explanation: Subterranean termite colonies, especially Coptotermes, can contain hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals and forage across wide areas, consuming wood rapidly. Drywood colonies are confined to the wood they infest and typically number only a few thousand, so they damage wood much more slowly.

About the Florida WDO (Termite) Exam Exam

The Florida Termite & Other Wood-Destroying Organisms (WDO) category is the structural pest control certification, under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, that authorizes termite inspections, WDO reports (Form 13645), and termite treatments. Candidates pass the 50-question General Standards (Core) exam and the WDO category exam, each at 70%, through FDACS.

Exam sponsor: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Multiple-choice General Standards (Core) exam of 50 questions plus the Termite & Other Wood-Destroying Organisms category exam, each requiring 70% to pass; this practice bank is 100 selected-response items focused on the WDO category

Time Limit

Scheduled at the FDACS proctored session (typically a few hours for core plus category)

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

Approximately $150 per category certification exam (varies); core and license/ID-card fees are separate

Exam sponsor website

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

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.

30%

Termite & WDO Biology and Identification

Subterranean (Reticulitermes, Formosan/Asian Coptotermes) and drywood termites, wood-boring beetles, carpenter ants, decay fungi; castes, swarmers vs ants, mud tubes, frass, and damage signs

20%

Soil Termiticide Treatments

Continuous barriers, trenching/rodding, sub-slab injection, pretreatments, repellent vs non-repellent termiticides (fipronil, imidacloprid), borates, and spot vs full treatments

10%

Baiting Systems

In-ground bait stations, chitin synthesis inhibitors (hexaflumuron, noviflumuron), trophallaxis-based colony elimination, and monitoring

15%

WDO Inspection Reports

FDACS Form 13645, live infestation vs visible evidence vs visible damage, inaccessible-area disclosure, the report graph, and notice-of-inspection posting

15%

Pesticide Chemistry & Safety

Label law, signal words, LD50, dilution, PPE, routes of exposure, re-entry intervals, water protection, RUPs, and spill response

10%

Florida Structural Pest Law & Consumer Protection

Chapter 482 and Rule 5E-14, the four structural categories, certified operator and ID cards, recordkeeping, honest representation, and IPM

Preparing for the Florida WDO (Termite) Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: Multiple-choice General Standards (Core) exam of 50 questions plus the Termite & Other Wood-Destroying Organisms category exam, each requiring 70% to pass; this practice bank is 100 selected-response items focused on the WDO category
  • Time limit: Scheduled at the FDACS proctored session (typically a few hours for core plus category)
  • Exam / certification fees: Approximately $150 per category certification exam (varies); core and license/ID-card fees are separate Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Florida WDO (Termite) Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Weight study toward termite and WDO identification and treatment methods, which together make up most of the exam
2Memorize the key differences: subterranean termites need soil and build mud tubes, drywood termites leave six-sided pellets and need no soil contact
3Know your termiticide chemistry: fipronil and imidacloprid are non-repellent (transfer effect); pyrethroids are repellent; bait IGRs (hexaflumuron, noviflumuron) inhibit chitin synthesis
4Master Form 13645 rules: the difference between live infestation, visible evidence, and visible damage, plus disclosing inaccessible areas and posting the notice of inspection
5Treat the label as the law: signal words, dilution to the labeled finished concentration, PPE, and protecting wells and groundwater
6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before sitting the core and category exams

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Florida WDO (Termite) category certification allow?

The Termite & Other Wood-Destroying Organisms category, under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, authorizes WDO inspections, issuing the Form 13645 WDO inspection report, and performing termite and other wood-destroying organism treatments. It is administered by FDACS and is separate from the general household pest and agricultural pesticide programs.

What score do I need to pass the Florida WDO exam?

You need 70% to pass. Candidates must pass both the 50-question General Standards (Core) exam and the Termite & WDO category exam, each at 70%, through FDACS.

How many questions are on the Florida WDO exam?

FDACS does not publish a single fixed count for the WDO category exam, but the General Standards (Core) exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, and the WDO category exam is a separate multiple-choice exam. Both require 70% to pass.

What are the eligibility requirements for the WDO certification?

The common pathway is a high school education or equivalency plus three years of experience as a service employee of a licensee in the category sought; a combination of qualifying education and experience is also accepted. You must hold a valid FDACS identification card to perform pest control work.

Is the WDO category the same as Florida's agricultural pesticide license?

No. The WDO category is a structural pest control certification under Chapter 482, while the agricultural pesticide applicator program is separate. Structural pest control covers work in, on, and under structures, including termite inspections and treatments.

Is this free Florida WDO practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same domains as the WDO category exam, including termite biology, soil and bait treatments, Form 13645 reporting, chemistry and safety, and Chapter 482 law, with a teaching explanation for every answer plus free daily AI tutor help. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.