State Permit Requirement
A Washington State Experimental Use Permit (WSEUP) is required for any pesticide (including spray adjuvants) distributed or used for experimental purposes, regardless of testing location or acreage. This requirement includes all experiments involving pesticides that are not registered, and all experiments involving uses of registered pesticides not allowed by the pesticide label. Persons applying to WSDA for a WSEUP include pesticide registrants, Washington State University research and extension specialists, and other organizations or individuals conducting experiments with pesticides. Completed applications are due to WSDA at least 60 days before the product’s intended use.
Federal permit requirement
Persons interested in conducting pesticide experiments in Washington may need to first obtain a federal Experimental Use Permit (EUP) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and should begin by reviewing
EPA’s requirements and exemption criteria for federal EUPs before applying to WSDA for a WSEUP. For example, testing on more than 10 acres of land or water bodies more than one (1) surface acre of water in size will require a federal EUP. Experiments exempt from a federal EUP will still require a WSEUP.
License requirement
Except as provided in
RCW 17.21.203, a Demonstration and Research license is required to use or supervise the use of any experimental or restricted use pesticide when applied on small plots for research purposes. Interested persons should plan accordingly. For more information visit
WSDA’s Pesticide Licensing and Recertification web page.
