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Limited and Rancher Private Applicators

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Home / Services / Licenses, Permits, and Certificates / Pesticide License and Recertification / Pesticide and SPI Licensing / Exams and Study Materials / Limited and Rancher PAs

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Limited and Rancher Private Applicators

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

If you only apply pesticides in eastern Washington and only need a pesticide license for one of the following situations, you may qualify for either a Limited Private Applicator (LPA) or Rancher Private Applicator (RPA) license.

  • I need a pesticide license to control problem weeds on non-production agricultural property I own or lease.

  • I am a rancher who only needs the pesticide license to control weeds and rodents on my property.

The LPA and RPA licenses carry reduced application fee rates and recertification requirements from the Private Applicator license, but have restrictions on which pesticides you can buy and use. Neither of these licenses allows use of pesticides in agricultural production. 

How do the Limited, Rancher, and Traditional Private Applicator Licenses Differ?

The Private Applicator license allows the use of any restricted use pesticide on your own or your employer's land for producing an agricultural commodity.

Limited Private Applicator


The Limited Private Applicator license allows the holder to supervise and apply restricted use herbicides on non-production agricultural land that includes pastures, rangeland, fencerows, and areas around farm buildings. The LPA does not allow the use of aquatic herbicides. Noxious weed control in mixed rangeland-timber areas is permissible only if required by state or local regulations. Any other herbicide use on forest lands for the purpose of improving timber growth or survival is not allowed. The licensee may not use any other type of restricted use pesticide unless supervised by a fully licensed Private Applicator.

Rancher Private Applicator


The Rancher Private Applicator license allows the same uses as the Limited Private Applicator license. In addition, this license allows the use of restricted use herbicides and rodenticides on limited production agricultural land where grain and hay are grown primarily for personal use. No more than 10% of the grain and/or hay grown may be sold. The licensee may not use any other type of restricted use pesticide, including aquatic herbicides or insecticides, unless supervised by a fully licensed Private Applicator.

License Type License Recertification Cycle Application Fee* Recertification Requirement
(Credits required for recert cycle)
Private Applicator Annual 5 years $45/year 20 credits, with no more than 10 per calendar year.
Limited Private Applicator 5 year** 5 years $40/5 years 8 credits. All credits must be weed control-related. No max per year.
Rancher Private Applicator 5 year** 5 years $110/5 years 12 credits. No max per year.
*For the three Private Applicator license types, no fee is required if you have paid for another pesticide license in the same calendar year.
Effective November 1st, 2021, all pesticide license fees increased as a result of Senate Bill 5317. $7 of every license paid will help support the Washington State University's pesticide safet education program.
**The Limited and Rancher Private Applicator licenses expire the fifth December 31 after issuance.
 

How Do I Qualify for Either a Limited or Rancher Private Applicator License?

If you do not currently hold a pesticide license, you will need to take the appropriate exam to qualify for one of these licenses. If you already hold a pesticide license, you may qualify for one of these licenses depending on the exams you have passed and your current recertification status.


Other exam substitutions include:

EXAM Allowed Substitutions
Limited Private Applicator Private Applicator or permitted Private Applicator substitution
Rancher Private Applicator Private Applicator or permitted Private Applicator substitution and Pest Animal Control



 

Current licensees exempt from testing must complete the application requirements before they are legal to operate as one of these license types. Call 877-301-4555 or email license@agr.wa.gov for those requirements.

How Do I Prepare for the Limited and Rancher Private Applicator Exams?

Both the Limited and Rancher Private Applicator exams include questions on general pesticide law, safety, and application topics. Both exams extensively cover pest management, weeds, and weed control. The Rancher Private Applicator exam also includes questions on vertebrate pest control. Neither exam includes questions on insects, diseases, or their control.
The two study materials for the Limited and Rancher Private Applicator exams are available from the Washington State University (WSU) at http://pep.wsu.edu/studymaterials/ or by calling 800-723-1763.

What sections of the manual do I need to study?
Limited Private Applicator Rancher Private Applicator
Private Applicator Pesticide Education Manual (EM020) – Study all sections except:
  • Vertebrate Pest Management
  • Organophosphate or Carbamate Insecticide Toxicity
  • Management of Insects and Mites
  • Plant Diseases and Plant Health
Weed Control Supplement (EM105E) – Study entire online weed supplement.		 Private Applicator Pesticide Education Manual (EM020) – Study all sections except:
  • Organophosphate or Carbamate Insecticide Toxicity
  • Management of Insects and Mites
  • Plant Diseases and Plant Health
Weed Control Supplement (EM105E) – Study entire online weed supplement.

Need More Information About Pesticide Licensing and Recertification?

Pesticide Licensing Questions:    877-301-4555 or email license@agr.wa.gov
Recertification Questions:            877-301-4555 or email recertification@agr.wa.gov.