Step-by-step Guide to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License in Washington State for Drone Operators

Washington State’s pesticide licensing program offers various license types and category exams tailored to different roles and activities. The specific license required for conducting WDO inspections, applying, distributing, or consulting on pesticide use depends on your employer and the type of pest control work you will be performing. To identify the appropriate license type and exams, refer to the detailed information in this guide. All license holders must fulfill recertification requirements every five years and must be licensed in all categories relevant to their work.

First, let’s define the different licenses available for drone operators.

Private Applicator

Applies or oversees the application of restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) for agricultural commodity production on land owned or rented by the applicator or their employer. This license is also required for applying RUPs without monetary compensation, except for the exchange of personal services between agricultural producers on another person’s land.

Qualifying Exams:

• Private Applicator
  or
• Washington Laws and Safety, plus one of the following:
  • Agricultural Weed Control
  • Agricultural Insect and Disease Control

For more details on category exams, refer to the Pesticide License Categories page.

Application Fee

$45/year

Recertification:
This license requires renewal every five years.

Limited And Rancher Private Applicators

If you apply pesticides exclusively in eastern Washington and need a license for one of the following scenarios, you may be eligible for a Limited Private Applicator (LPA) or Rancher Private Applicator (RPA) license:

• Controlling problem weeds on non-production agricultural property you own or lease.
• Managing weeds and rodents on your property as a rancher.

The LPA and RPA licenses have lower application fees and reduced recertification requirements compared to the Private Applicator license. However, they come with restrictions on the types of pesticides you can purchase and use. Additionally, these licenses do not permit the use of pesticides for agricultural production and you may not use restricted use insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides or any aquatic herbicides.

Limited Private Applicator

The Limited Private Applicator (LPA) license permits the holder to apply and supervise the use of restricted-use herbicides on non-production agricultural land, such as pastures, rangeland, fencerows, and areas surrounding farm buildings. However, the license does not allow the use of aquatic herbicides. Noxious weed control in mixed rangeland-timber areas is permitted only when required by state or local regulations. Herbicide application on forest lands to enhance timber growth or survival is strictly prohibited. Additionally, the licensee is not authorized to use other types of restricted-use pesticides unless under the supervision of a fully licensed Private Applicator.

Qualifying Exams:

• Limited Private Applicator
  or
• Permitted Private Applicator (substitution option)**

Accepted Substitution for Private Applicator:

• Washington Laws and Safety, plus one of the following:
  • Agricultural Weed Control
  • Agricultural Insect and Disease Control

Application Fee

$40/5 years

Recertification:
This license requires renewal every five years.

Rancher Private Applicator

The Rancher Private Applicator (RPA) license provides the same privileges as the Limited Private Applicator license. Additionally, it permits the use of restricted-use herbicides and rodenticides on limited production agricultural land where grain and hay are primarily cultivated for personal use. No more than 10% of the grain or hay produced may be sold. The licensee is prohibited from using any other restricted-use pesticides, including aquatic herbicides or insecticides, unless under the supervision of a fully licensed Private Applicator.

Qualifying Exams:

• Rancher Private Applicator
• Permitted Private Applicator (substitution option)**

Accepted Substitution for Private Applicator:

• Washington Laws and Safety
• Agricultural Weed Control
• Agricultural Insect and Disease Control

Application Fee

$110/5 years

Recertification:
This license requires renewal every five years.

Commercial Applicator

Involved in the business of applying pesticides to land or property owned by others, whether public or private. Additional requirements, such as financial responsibility coverage, must also be met. This is a combined company-personal license.

Qualifying Exams:

• Washington Laws and Safety (or an approved substitute**)
• Category-specific exam related to the pest control work being performed

**Accepted substitutes for the Washington Laws and Safety exam include:

• Private Applicator
• Dealer Manager

Steps to Obtain a Commercial Applicator License:

1. Pass the Required Exams:
   
   
   • Successfully complete all necessary exams in Washington, including the Laws & Safety exam and category-specific exams for all areas in which your business operates. Visit the WSDA Categories webpage for more information.
   • Alternatively, you may provide a valid reciprocal state license. For details, refer to the Reciprocal Licenses section below.
   • If you're already licensed, proceed to the next step.
2. Submit the Pesticide/Pest Inspector License Application:
   
   
   • Complete the required Pesticide/Pest Inspector License Application (PDF) and pay the $250 Commercial Applicator license fee.
   • For paper-based testing, this is typically done during the exam session, while for computer-based testing, it is completed online.
3. Submit the Commercial Company License Application:
   
   
   • Complete the Commercial Company License Application (PDF).
   • If applicable, also complete the Supplemental Commercial Applicator Application (PDF), which may include a $27 fee per additional apparatus beyond the first.
   • This step can be completed after passing the required exams and qualifying for the license.
4. Provide Proof of Financial Responsibility:
   
   
   • Submit proof of financial responsibility as outlined in the Insurance Requirements section below.
5. Obtain a Business License:
   
   
   • Secure a business license through the Washington Department of Revenue. Visit https://dor.wa.gov/ for more information.

Insurance Requirements for Commercial Applicators

Commercial Applicators must comply with the financial coverage requirements outlined in RCW 17.21.160 and 170 of the Washington Pesticide Application Act. There are two options for meeting these requirements:

Option 1:

• Obtain a liability insurance policy providing:
  • $50,000 in public liability coverage
  • $50,000 in property damage coverage
  • A deductible not exceeding $5,000
• Submit proof using the Commercial Applicator Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (PDF).

Option 2:

• Secure a surety bond with a minimum value of $100,000.
• Submit proof using the Commercial Applicator Surety Bond form (PDF).

Submission Instructions:
Proof of financial coverage must be submitted to the Licensing and Recertification Program:

• Before issuing a new license or
• Before the expiration of an existing policy or bond for current license holders.

Submit documents via:

• Email: license@agr.wa.gov
• Mail: WSDA Pesticide Licensing, PO Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504

Failure to submit proof of coverage before the expiration of an existing policy or bond will result in the WSDA initiating license suspension procedures.

Responsibilities After Licensing:

Once licensed, you must:

1. Meet Recertification Requirements:
   
   
   • Complete the necessary recertification requirements within your five-year recertification cycle. For details, refer to the Recertification Requirements page.
2. Renew Your License Annually:
   
   
   • Ensure your license is renewed each year to keep it active and maintain the ability to operate your commercial application business.
3. Report Changes Within 30 Days:
   
   
   • Notify WSDA of any changes to your application information within 30 days. Use the Supplemental Commercial Applicator Application (PDF) and email the updates to license@agr.wa.gov for the following changes:
     • Name
     • Address
     • Equipment
     • Company-employed commercial operators
     • Branches, DBAs (Doing Business As), or locations

Commercial Operator

A Commercial Operator is employed by a WSDA-licensed commercial applicator to apply pesticides on the land or property of others, whether publicly or privately owned.

Important Requirements:

• A Commercial Operator must be listed as an employee on the company's record with WSDA for the license to remain valid.
• The Commercial Applicator or the company's responsible party is required to report all employed Commercial Operators to WSDA by completing the Supplemental Commercial Applicator Pesticide License Application (PDF).
• For further assistance, contact WSDA directly.

Required Exams:

• Washington Laws and Safety Exam (or an approved substitute**)
• Category-Specific Exam relevant to the pest control work being performed

Accepted Substitutes for the Washington Laws and Safety Exam:

• Private Applicator
• Dealer Manager

Application Fee

$85/year

Recertification:
This license requires renewal every five years.

Exam and Study Materials

Study Materials

WSU Urban IPM and Pesticide Safety Education

Washington State University (WSU) provides study manuals for most WSDA exams and offers pre-license courses in English at various locations across the state.

Additional Study Materials

• Aquatic Antifouling: Download PDF
• Sewer Root Control: Download PDF
• Potato Sprout Inhibitor: Contact WSDA for materials.

No Study Materials Required For:

• Cooling Tower
• Sulfur Dioxide: Refer to the Sulfur Dioxide Flow Chart (PDF) to determine if this category applies to you.
• Postharvest Treatment of Fruit and Vegetables: Refer to the Fruit & Vegetable Flow Chart (PDF) to determine if this category applies to you.

Mosquito Control 

If you plan to use or provide consultation on the use of pesticides for mosquito control, specific licensing requirements apply. For detailed guidance, refer to the Pesticide Licensing for Professional Mosquito Control (PDF).

Scheduling an Exam

Scheduling a Paper-based Test 

To schedule a paper-based licensing exam at a WSDA-proctored location, you can:

• Contact the Licensing and Recertification Program at 877-301-4555 or license@agr.wa.gov
• Use the Online Exam Registration Request Form.

Before Your Exam:

• Verify the required fees and ensure you have a check or money order ready before arriving.
• Fees under $50 that are duplicate or incorrect will not be refunded unless a written request is submitted.
• A valid photo ID is required to take the exam.
• Calculators and pencils will be provided.

For additional information on preparing for your exam, visit the Preparing for Exams WSDA page.

Computer-based Testing

WSDA has partnered with Metro Institute to provide computer-based pesticide licensing exams. The exam fee is $58 per test.

Note: Exams for the Structural Pest Inspector (SPI) license are not yet available via computer-based testing.

Eligibility and Exam Policies

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a license and take exams.
• Testing fees must be paid prior to the scheduled exam. The fee for computer-based testing is $58 per exam.
• A government-issued photo ID is required to attend your scheduled testing session.

Waiting Periods for Exam Failures:

• For a second, third, or fourth failure of any exam, a 14-day waiting period is required.
• For a fifth or more failure, a 60-day waiting period is required.
• If you schedule an exam before the required waiting period, the results will be invalid.

Retesting Requirements:

• If WSDA revises or develops a new exam, all affected licensees may be required to retake the exam.

Exam Conduct Guidelines:

• You are prohibited from removing or possessing any part of a WSDA exam.
• The following actions are strictly forbidden:
  • Using your cell phone or any device prohibited by the testing vendor
  • Using study materials during the exam
  • Taking notes on the exam
  • Talking to another test-taker during the exam
  • Removing any exam-related information

Any violation of these policies or other rules presented on the day of the exam may result in the voiding of your exam scores or referral to Compliance for further action.

To Apply for an Exam:

1. Create a user account on Metro Institute’s website.
2. Submit an application for the license type you wish to obtain or renew. The following information will be required:
   • Full legal name (as it appears on your government-issued photo ID)
   • Social security number
   • Date of birth
   • Mailing address
   • Email address
   • Employer name
   • Employer contact information

Before you can schedule an exam, you must have paid this year’s license fee, and WSDA must have approved your application.

Fee Information:

• Duplicate or incorrect fees under $50 will not be refunded unless a written request is submitted.

How to Submit and Pay:

• Submit and pay for a new application if you already have a Metro login: Download PDF
• Pay for your license application fee if you’ve already submitted an application: Download PDF

Scheduling Your Exam

Before you can schedule an exam, you must have paid this year's license fee, and WSDA must have approved your application.

To Schedule an Exam:

1. You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been approved.
2. Click the link in the email to log in to Metro Institute.
3. Select the exam you wish to take, along with the testing center location and your preferred date/time.
4. Pay the appropriate exam fee(s), which is $58 per exam.
   • Payment must be made via credit card.

Reciprocal Licenses

Reciprocal Licensing

Reciprocal licensing allows individuals holding a pesticide license from certain states to obtain a Washington State pesticide license without having to take the Washington exams. However, reciprocal licensees must still meet all other Washington state pesticide license requirements and pay the annual renewal application fees to maintain a valid Washington license.

Do I Qualify?
To qualify for reciprocal licensing, you must meet the following criteria:

• Washington State must have a reciprocity agreement with your current state and license type.
• You must have taken the exam in the state from which you are requesting reciprocity.
• Your license must be in a valid recertification cycle and not set to expire within the next 60 days. If your recertification cycle is nearing expiration, you must provide proof from your current state that you have met the requirements to recertify for the next cycle.
• Your current state license does not need to be renewed for the year.

If you’re unsure whether your license qualifies for reciprocity, please send a copy of your current state license to license@agr.wa.gov for review before submitting an application and payment.

States and Agencies with Reciprocal Licensing:

Last Update: 6/18/2024

• Arizona Department of Agriculture
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation
• California Structural Pest Control Board
• California Department of Public Health
• Colorado Department of Agriculture
• Idaho Department of Agriculture
• Illinois Department of Agriculture
• Illinois Department of Public Health
• Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
• New York Department of Environmental Conservation
• Oregon Department of Agriculture

Federal Agencies

• Department of Defense: Reciprocity available.
• Bureau of Land Management: Reciprocity available for some categories; each case will be reviewed individually.
• USDA: Reciprocity available for some categories; each case will be reviewed individually.
• All Other Federal Licenses: Reciprocation is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact WSDA for review.

How to Apply for a Reciprocal License

For All License Types (Except Commercial Applicator):

Please submit the following:

1. Reciprocal Pesticide License Request Form (PDF)
2. A copy of your current license, including categories and recertification cycle end date.
3. A copy of your photo ID showing your full name and birthdate.
4. Pesticide/Pest Inspector License Application (PDF)
5. The application fee for the license (payment by check or money order only). Application fees are non-refundable.

For a WA Commercial Applicator License:

Please submit the following:

1. Reciprocal Pesticide License Request Form (PDF)
2. A copy of your current license, including categories and recertification cycle end date.
3. A copy of your photo ID showing your full name and birthdate.
4. A Letter of Good Standing from your current state.
5. Commercial Company License Application (PDF)
6. Pesticide/Pest Inspector License Application (PDF)
7. Supplemental Commercial Applicator Pesticide License Application (PDF) (If adding equipment, employees, additional business locations, etc.)
8. Proof of insurance (PDF) (if it’s a new company in WA).
9. Application fee for license and equipment, if applicable. WSDA accepts payment via check or money order only. Application fees are non-refundable.

How to Keep Your Reciprocal License Up-to-Date

Renewing Your License:
Reciprocal licenses must be renewed annually, just like any other Washington State license. We will mail or email your renewal notice each November. Please ensure your contact information is up-to-date.

Recertifying Your License:
You have three options to recertify your license:

1. Earn credits approved in Washington State to meet the minimum requirements. Find more information on credit requirements and approved courses on the Recertification section below.
2. Submit proof of your other state's license at the end of your Washington recertification cycle. If you haven't earned enough credits in Washington, a reminder will be included in your renewal packet.
3. Re-test in Washington.

Getting a Letter of Good Standing for Another State

To request a Letter of Good Standing for another state, please email license@agr.wa.gov and include the name of the state for which you need the letter.

Recertification and Renewals

In addition to renewing your license annually, you must complete recertification every five years to maintain your license. This ensures that you continue to meet the required competency standards in pest control or inspection.

Renewals (annually):

You can renew online using a checking account or a credit/debit card. Please note that a convenience fee will apply for credit or debit card transactions.

• Online renewal is only available for 2025.
• If you are the Commercial Applicator for multiple companies, please contact Licensing. The online renewal process will not cover all companies you represent.

Here is a table for license types, fees, and penalty fees:

Renew by Mail

If renewing by mail, only submit renewal forms for the licenses that qualify.

You can check your license status using WSDA's license search tool.

For mail-in renewals, make checks payable to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Send your renewal application and payment to the address provided on the form.

Note: WSDA will not send notifications once your renewal has been processed via mail or email. To verify your license status, use the License Search page.

Non-Commercial Applicators

Complete and submit the renewal application along with the fee:

• 2025 License Renewal Application (PDF)
• 2025 Solicitud de Renovación de Licencia (PDF)

Commercial Applicators (CA)

Complete and submit the CA renewal application along with the fee:

• 2025 Commercial Applicator Renewal Application (PDF)
• 2025 Solicitud de Renovación de Aplicador Comercial (PDF)

To report any changes to your company, complete and submit the Supplemental Commercial Applicator Pesticide License Application (PDF).
Verify that your current financial coverage is on file with WSDA. If not, please contact Licensing.

Note: The renewal form and payment must be sent by mail. Other forms can be emailed to license@agr.wa.gov

Final Thoughts

Obtaining a pesticide applicator license in Washington State is a critical step for drone operators involved in pesticide application. Whether you're working on private land, managing pest control commercially, or operating within a company, the right license ensures compliance with regulations and enhances safety in pesticide use.

By following this step-by-step guide, studying for the exams, and staying on top of renewals and recertification, you can successfully navigate the licensing process and legally operate in Washington.

For more details, visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Pesticide Licensing page or contact WSDA directly at license@agr.wa.gov. Or reach out to us and we'll be happy to guide you through your regulations process.