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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
Accepted Substitution for Private Applicator:
Application Fee
$40/5 years
Recertification:
This license requires renewal every five years.
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:
Accepted Substitution for Private Applicator:
Application Fee
$110/5 years
Recertification:
This license requires renewal every five years.
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:
**Accepted substitutes for the Washington Laws and Safety exam include:
Steps to Obtain a Commercial Applicator License:
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:
Option 2:
Submission Instructions:
Proof of financial coverage must be submitted to the Licensing and Recertification Program:
Submit documents via:
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:
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:
Required Exams:
Accepted Substitutes for the Washington Laws and Safety Exam:
Application Fee
$85/year
Recertification:
This license requires renewal every five years.
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
No Study Materials Required For:
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 a Paper-based Test
To schedule a paper-based licensing exam at a WSDA-proctored location, you can:
Before Your Exam:
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
Waiting Periods for Exam Failures:
Retesting Requirements:
Exam Conduct Guidelines:
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:
Before you can schedule an exam, you must have paid this year’s license fee, and WSDA must have approved your application.
Fee Information:
How to Submit and Pay:
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:
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:
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
Federal Agencies
For All License Types (Except Commercial Applicator):
Please submit the following:
For a WA Commercial Applicator License:
Please submit the following:
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:
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.
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.
Here is a table for license types, fees, and penalty fees:
License Type |
Fee |
Penalty Fee |
Commercial Applicator |
$250 |
$25 |
Commercial Operator |
$85 |
$78 |
Commercial Pest Control Consultant |
$75 |
$68 |
Dealer Manager |
$45 |
$38 |
Demonstration & Research |
$50 |
$43 |
Private Applicator (PA) |
$45 |
$38 |
Private Commercial |
$45 |
$38 |
Public Pest Control Consultant |
$50 |
$43 |
Public Operator |
$50 |
$43 |
Structural Pest Inspector |
$85 |
$78 |
Limited Private Applicator (LPA) (5-year license) |
$40 |
$33 |
Rancher Private Applicator (RPA) (5-year license) |
$110 |
$25 |
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.
Complete and submit the renewal application along with the fee:
Complete and submit the CA renewal application along with the fee:
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
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.