Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit https://agr.wa.gov/services/licenses-permits-and-certificates/pesticide-license-and-recertification/pesticide-and-spi-licensing.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Helpdesk phone:

877-301-4555

Subject matter expert contact information:

Rickie Johnson (360) 902-2039

license@agr.wa.gov

Private Applicator (New license)

Description/Purpose

The purpose is to license persons who apply or supervise the application of restricted use pesticides to their own or their employer's property for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, fumigants, etc.

The Limited and Rancher Private Applicator licenses allow limited applications of restricted use pesticides. For additional information, please see the Licensing Fact Sheet.

Triggers and activities which would require this license

Applying or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides on your own or your employer's property for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity.

Costs/Fees
45
see details

The Private Applicator license application fee is comprised of $38 for the application and a required pesticide safety education fee of $7 for every license. This pesticide safety education fee is transmitted to Washington State University for the purpose of providing a pesticide safety education program to educate and train pesticide licensees and prospective licensees.

A $38 penalty fee is assessed if renewal is received after January 1st of the renewal year. The licensee may sign an attestation stating they did not perform work requiring their pesticide license to be exempt from the penalty fee.

If applicant is paying for any other license application fee, the Private Applicator license application fee is waived.

A license card is issued for each new license and duplicate cards are issued upon request. No fee is charged.

Statutory Details:

  • RCW 17.21.126 Private applicator, limited private applicator, or rancher private applicator - Requirements - Application for license - Fees
  • RCW 17.21.280 Disposition of revenue, enforcement of chapter - Pesticide safety education program - Fee - District course fees, fines, penalties, and forfeitures
  • RCW 17.21.140 Renewal - Delinquency

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Application Information

Applications are completed at the time of testing. The first time an application is submitted in a calendar year, the license fee of $45 is required. Each time tests are taken, a $25 testing fee and picture ID is required.

Because exams are required, you must make your initial application at a WSDA testing session. These are offered at a number of statewide testing locations. WSDA does reciprocate with some state and federal licenses so testing may not be necessary. Go to the online reciprocal licensing information for details.

Because exams are required, you must make your initial application at a WSDA testing session. These are offered at a number of statewide testing locations.

The license is renewed annually but in a 5-year recertification cycle. Within the 5 year recertification cycle the licensee must earn 20 continuing education credits with a maximum of 10 credits per year or retest. An alternative to recertification is to retest every 5 years.

After a second, third, or fourth failure in a calendar year, there is a mandatory 14-day waiting period between exam retakes. After the fifth failure, you must wait 60 days before retesting.

Upon notice by the Department to deny, suspend, or revoke a license, a person may request a hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedures Act.

Agency Analysis
970
n/a
n/a
3
n/a
5
n/a
15
see details

Pending Private Applicator license applications are missing critical information or fees and cannot be approved. This is waiting for the required information or payment to be submitted by the applicant.

There is no backlog of Private Applicator license applications.

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Published Decision Time
n/a

If applicant submits all required information at the time of examination and takes and passes all required exams at that time, applicant can be issued a Private Applicator license within 5 business days. If applicant submits all required information to obtain a license through reciprocation, applicant can be issued a Private Applicator license within 5 days.

The 2024 overall average processing time for a new Private Applicator license application, from initial submission to approval, was 5 days. The 2024 overall average processing time for a Private Applicator license renewal application was 4 days.

Statutory Details: None

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Legal authority
Notes / Comments

Because exams are required, you must make your initial application at a WSDA testing session. These are offered at a number of statewide testing locations. Within the 5 year recertification cycle the licensee must gain 20 continuing education credits with a maximum of 10 credits per year or retest.

Contacts
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Registration Services
1111 Washington Street SE, NRB - 2nd Fl
PO Box 42589
Olympia WA 98504-2589
Email: license@agr.wa.gov
Website: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/pesticides-and-fertilizers
Fax: (360) 902-2093
Toll Free: 1-877-301-4555
Triggering Questions
  • Are you applying or supervising the agricultural use of any restricted-use pesticide on property rented or owned by you or your employer?
* Credential details last updated 5/31/2022
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