Please note that due to a high volume of applications, the current processing time for an error-free application is about 8-10 weeks
DAIRY PROGRAM
Contact Information
The WSDA Dairy Program is responsible for:
- Licensing and Inspection of Dairy Farms and Plants
- Inspection of Milk Tankers
- Interstate Milk Shippers Survey Program (IMS)
- Sampling and Testing of Dairy Products
- Investigation of Dairy related Complaints
- Testing of Pasteurizers
- Licensing and Evaluation of Dairy Technicians
- Issuing Export Certificates of Sanitation and Free Sale for food products manufactured in Washington state.
- Technical Assistance on dairy related issues
- Equipment review
Dairy License Applications
Milk Producer License
A Milk Producer is a person or organization who operates a dairy farm and provides, sells, or offers milk for sale to a milk processing plant, receiving station, or transfer station.
Every Milk Producer must obtain a Milk Producer's license to operate as a Milk Producer. A Milk Producer's license is not transferable with respect to persons or locations or both. To read more information, click the Handbook link below. To apply for a Milk Producer license, click the button below.
- Milk Producers Handbook [PDF 1.1 MB]
Milk Processing Plant License
A Milk Processing Plant is a place, premises, or establishment where milk or milk products are collected, handled, processed, stored, bottled, pasteurized, aseptically processed, or prepared for distribution, except an establishment that merely receives the processed milk products and serves them or sells them at retail.
A Milk Processing Plant must obtain an annual Milk Processing Plant license. A Milk Processing Plant may choose to process (1) grade A milk and milk products, or (2) other milk products that are not classified grade A. Only one license may be required to process milk; however, Milk Processing Plants must obtain the necessary endorsements from the department in order to process products as defined for each type of milk or milk product processing.
Grade 'A' Dairy Construction, Reconstruction, Piping & Equipment Installation
It is a requirement of the PMO and state requirements that you submit detailed plans to WSDA for agency approval, before construction or equipment installation begins. This is applicable for all types of dairy facilities such as: milkhouses; milking barns; stables and parlors; milk tank truck cleaning facilities; milk plants; receiving stations and transfer stations.
The owner of the farm or facility is responsible for contacting WSDA and submitting the required information with sufficient time for review. This process can be expected to take a minimum of 10 business days.
Dairy Technician License
A Dairy Technician is any person who takes samples, or who grades, weighs, or measures milk or cream or fluid milk product, as a basis of payment, or who operates equipment wherein milk or products thereof are pasteurized.
Click here for the Bulk Milk Hauler Study Guide
Click here for the Industry Plant Sampler Study Guide
Click here for the HTST and Vat Pasteurizer Study Guide
If you are a firm who needs an application for employed Dairy Technicians, click the link below.
Dairy License Amendments
Businesses or persons with dairy licenses (Milk Producer, Milk Processing Plant, and Dairy Technician licenses) must submit an Amendment Form to add or remove products from their existing license or add endorsements to their Dairy Technician license.
If you have questions about amending your license please contact our Olympia Office at 360-902-1876 or dairy@agr.wa.gov.
Bulk Milk Transport
A Bulk Milk Hauler's license is not transferable with respect to persons or locations or both.
Click below to obtain an application for Bulk Milk Hauler
More Information
Fees by License Type
Milk Processing Plant License: $250 licensing and annual fee/Expires June 30th annually
Dairy Technician License: $25 application fee + $25 per endorsement/Expires December 31st every odd year
Amendment to:
- Milk Produer: $0 fee
- Milk Processing Plant: $0 fee
- Dairy Technician: $25 per added endorsement
WSDA Adopts the 2017 Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO)
Chapter 16-101 (WAC):
Adoption of the 2017 Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO)
WSDA has adopted the 2017 Revision of the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and related procedures and standards under the authority of RCW 15.36.021. The last revision adopted by WSDA was the 2011 Revision of the PMO.
The PMO includes the requirements necessary to participate in the interstate conference on milk shipping. This ordinance regulates the production, transportation, processing, handling, sampling, examination, labeling, and sale of Grade A milk and milk products including buttermilk and buttermilk products and condensed and dry milk products. It is the basic standard used in the voluntary Cooperative State-PHS/FDA Program for the Certification of Interstate Milk Shipments; a program participated in by all fifty States, the District of Columbia and U.S. Trust Territories.
The United States Food and Drug Administration administers the interstate conference on milk shipping. The National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding with the Food and Drug Administration, recommends at its biennial conference changes and modifications to the Grade A PMO.
Adoption of the PMO and related procedures and standards ensure that the milk and milk products produced in Washington state meet the latest standards and assist in continued acceptance of Washington State milk and milk products shipped to other states.
