Pesticide/SPI Licensing

• Getting licensed
• Preparing for exams
• Taking exams
• Information for New Licensees
• Renewals
• Reciprocal licenses
• Reporting changes to a pesticide license
• Requesting a duplicate plastic card

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Getting licensed

Many people who use, sell or consult on the use of pesticides are required to be licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). This requirement does not generally apply to homeowners who use home and garden pesticides on their own property. To learn more about licensing for mosquito control, go to the fact sheet Pesticide Licensing for Professional Mosquito Control.

To learn more about pesticide licensing or to determine if you need a license, go to our Pesticide/Pest Inspector Licensing Fact Sheet. There is additional licensing information for those considering the Limited or Rancher Private Applicator licenses. 

There are additional licensing requirements for Commercial Applicators, Structural Pest Inspectors, and businesses.

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Preparing for exams

There are two ways to prepare for WSDA pesticide exams although a combination of the two methods is highly recommended. You may obtain and study the corresponding Washington State University (WSU) exam study manual or you may attend a pre-license training course.

Pesticide exam study manuals - WSU maintains study manuals for most of the WSDA exams. Study material for the Aquatic Antifouling and Sewer Root Control (file size 5.3 MB) exams are available from WSDA. To obtain manuals for the other WSDA exams, contact the WSU Bulletins Office at 1-800-723-1763 or visit their website.

Pre-license training courses - WSU conducts statewide pre-license shortcourses in English each winter. Go to their website to determine availability of courses in your area. Brochures on these courses are mailed annually to all WSDA pesticide license holders. County extension agents and noxious weed boards sometimes provide training as well. WSDA conducts statewide pre-license shortcourses in Spanish each winter and periodically throughout the year.

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Taking exams

Testing is conducted by WSDA every Tuesday at our Olympia and Yakima offices at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. sharp and at other WSDA locations from 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling WSDA toll-free at (877) 301-4555.  WSDA reserves the right to deny entry to late arrivals.

Please note: Several WSU Cooperative Extension offices administer the Private Applicator exam upon request. Contact WSDA or your local extension office for further information. NOTE: The Idaho and Oregon Departments of Agriculture will not accept Washington exams for individuals living in their state.

You must be prepared to present picture identification and to pay all license fees at the time of testing. Please make checks payable to WSDA. If paying in cash, you must have the exact amount. Test scores for applicants who have not submitted the required fee will be discarded after 10 working days. 

• 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. 
• If an exam is revised or developed, all affected licensees may be required to pass the new exam.

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Information for New Licensees

• What to Expect as a New Licensee
• Recertification

Renewals

• 2009 Pesticide License Renewal Information

All pesticide licenses, except the Limited and Rancher Private Applicator licenses must be renewed annually in order to remain valid. Renewal is not necessary in those years when you will not be performing activities that require a license. All licenses expire on December 31st. Individuals who are eligible to renew their licenses and who have held a license in one of the previous two years will automatically be sent a renewal application during the Fall of each year.

If you need to renew a pesticide license and you lost or did not receive a renewal notice, please e-mail Pesticide Licensing staff at license@agr.wa.gov with your request. Include your name, license number, phone number, and whether you would prefer that the renewal form be mailed, faxed or e-mailed. Be sure to include the appropriate contact address or number. If you qualify for license renewal, a form will be sent to you. All others will receive a prompt explanation of ineligibility and information on re-licensing.

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Reciprocal licenses

If Washington law requires you to have a pesticide license, you must hold a Washington license. A valid license in another state may help you obtain a Washington license but it does not substitute for one.

Individuals holding a current license from Oregon, Idaho, Nebraska, Utah, USDA, USDOD or USDOE may obtain a Washington license in comparable categories without testing by submitting a Washington license application, the appropriate fee and a copy of their other state/federal license. E-mail Pesticide Licensing staff with your request; if appropriate, an application will be forwarded to you.

Eligibility for individuals holding licenses from states/agencies other than those listed above will be determined on a case by case basis. Please fax a review request along with a copy of your license to Pesticide Licensing at (360) 902-2093. Include a contact person with your licensing agency so that we may confirm your licensing status. If you are eligible for a reciprocal Washington license, we will forward an application to you.

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Reporting changes to a pesticide license

• Commercial Applicators - Pesticide law requires Commercial Applicators to report any changes to their previously provided license information within 30 days. All changes except change of applicator may be provided on WSDA's Supplemental Commercial Applicator Pesticide License Application. To complete a change of applicator, you must re-submit the Commercial Applicator License Application. Please contact Pesticide Licensing toll-free at (877) 301-4555 or by e-mail at license@agr.wa.gov to request the application information. To change or update insurance information, your agent must complete and return the Commercial Pesticide Applicators Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate.

• Pesticide dealer outlets - To report changes to a Pesticide Dealer addendum to a Master Business License, please contact Department of Licensing at (360) 664-1400 or go their website.

• All other licensees - To report a name and/or address change, please contact Pesticide Licensing toll-free at (877) 301-4555 or by e-mail at license@agr.wa.gov with the following information:

1. License number
2. Old license information (name, address and phone)
3. New license information (name, address and phone)

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Requesting a duplicate plastic card

WSDA is no longer issuing a paper license card each time you renew or update your license.  Instead, you have or will receive a permanent plastic card identifying you as a pesticide or Structural Pest Inspector licensee.  Please keep this card in your wallet for quick access.

If you lose your plastic card, you may request a duplicate by emailing Pesticide Licensing staff with your request. Include your name, license number, phone number, and the address where you would like the license sent. Allow 2-4 weeks for the license to arrive.

Please be aware that there may be a cost to replace your plastic card in the future.

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