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Commercial Applicators and Structural Pest Inspectors

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Commercial Applicators and Structural Pest Inspectors

For more information, call toll-free 877-301-4555 or email license@agr.wa.gov.
 

There are additional licensing requirements for Commercial Applicators and Structural Pest Inspectors. Both types of licenses require proof of financial responsibility and additional reporting requirements. 

Commercial Applicators


A Commercial Applicator is a person engaged in the business of applying pesticides to the land or property of another, whether the land is privately or publicly owned. There are additional requirements including financial coverage.

Commercial Applicator Requirements

Structural Pest Inspectors


A Structural Pest Inspector (SPI) is a person who inspects a structure for wood destroying organisms, their damage, or conditions conducive to their development. This license does not allow the application of pesticides.

SPI License Requirements

Resources

Learn more about the pesticide licensing program administered by WSDA including license types, categories, and testing policies.

Pesticide and Pest Inspector Licensing Fact Sheet [PDF]
Use this decision tree to determine if you even need a pesticide license.

Pesticide License Decision Tree [PDF]

All individuals holding a WSDA pesticide or Structural Pest Inspector (SPI) license must complete recertification requirements every five years in order to maintain their license. This may be accomplished by attending WSDA approved recertification courses or by retesting. The type of license you hold determines the extent of your recertification requirement.

Recertification Requirements

Disinfectants and sanitizers, excluding hand sanitizers regulated by FDA, are considered pesticides. Under current state policy, however, you are not required to obtain a pesticide license to apply non-restricted disinfectants and sanitizers, even as a commercial business.
Businesses must meet additional requirements, which are summarized on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Factsheet [PDF].

For anyone using disinfectants and sanitizers, be aware of fraudulent pesticide claims on disinfectants and sanitizers and refer to the following guidance. 

Note: If you will be applying a disinfectant or sanitizer that is classified as restricted use, you must obtain a pesticide license.
If you are a landscape company and apply pesticides to your customers' properties, your company must have a Commercial Applicator pesticide license.  You must be licensed even if:
  • Your company performs moss control to roofs or lawns
  • You only use a spreader, backpack sprayer or apply by hand
  • You only operate this business part-time. 
Refer to this guidance for Landscape Maintenance Companies [PDF]. 
Businesses that distribute non-home and garden use pesticides must have a dealer license endorsement on their business license and a licensed pesticide dealer manager at the location. For more information about requirements for these types of businesses, see our Pesticide Distributors wepage.
To access any Licensing and Recertification forms, please go to the Forms page for the Division.