WSDA PESTICIDE LICENSE

Policies and Instructions

These policies and instructions are specific to paper-based exams, proctored by WSDA:

• WSDA does not permit walk-ins. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the WSDA Licensing and Recertification Program.
• You may not make changes or additions to exam rosters after 12:00 pm Pacific time on the business day before the exam session. Holidays are not considered business days. Please plan accordingly.
• No employer may reserve more than five spots per testing date.
• ​WSDA reserves the right to deny entry to late arrivals.
• You must be 18 at least years old to apply for a license and take exams.
• You must bring your photo ID and pay all fees at the time of testing.
  • You will not be allowed to test without a government-issued ID verifying your identity, including photo, full name, and birthdate.
  • You will not be allowed to test without payment of required fees.
• Waiting periods are required for second or more failures of paper-based and computer-based exams:
  • Second, third, or fourth failure of any exam require a 14-day waiting period before you may retest.
  • Fifth or more failures require a 60-day waiting period before retesting.
  • If you schedule an exam before the required waiting period, those exam results are not valid.
• If WSDA revises or develops an exam, all affected licensees may be required to retest.
• Removing or being in possession of all or a part of a WSDA exam is prohibited.
• Payment must be made with a check or money order only. Money orders can be obtained from places like the US Postal Service, Safeway, Walmart, or similar businesses.

Day of Testing

• NO walk-ins allowed.
• You must:
  • Be on time. We reserve the right to deny late entry.
  • Bring your picture ID. You will not be allowed to test without a valid government-issued ID bearing your photo, full name, and birthdate.
  • You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a license and take exams.
  • Pay for your license (fee varies with type) and the $25 testing fee. You will not be allowed to test without payment.
    • We accept personal checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders*, payable to “WSDA”.
    • We do not accept cash, credit cards, or debit cards.
  • Turn off your cell phone or leave it in your vehicle.
  • Follow all testing policies listed here and those explained to you by testing proctors.
• You MUST NOT:
  • Use your cell phone.
  • Use study materials.
  • Take notes on the exam.
  • Talk to another tester during the exam or breaks.
  • Remove any testing information.

Only short restroom breaks are allowed.
Any violation of testing policies listed here or presented on the day of exam can result in voiding of your exam scores or referral to Compliance for action.
*Money orders can be obtained from places like the post office, Safeway, Walmart, or similar businesses.

After the Session

• WSDA will mail exam scores within seven to 10 business days.
• WSDA will NOT release scores over the phone or by email.
• WSDA will NOT release scores until all fees are paid.
• You may not sign up to retest until you have received your results and know which exams you did not pass.
• For waiting periods between failures, refer to the back of score sheet.
• Passing scores are only valid for the calendar year in which you took the exam plus the following calendar year.
• Removing or being in possession of all or a part of a WSDA exam is prohibited.

If you did not receive scores within expected timeframe or you have questions on waiting periods, contact the Licensing Program at 877-301-4555 or License@agr.wa.gov. 

Private Applicator Pesticide License Testing 

WSU Okanogan County Extension proctors Private Applicator Pesticide License tests at the Extension Office in Okanogan.  Tests are scheduled for the first and third Wednesday of each month.  Please call ahead of time to make an appointment.  To schedule your appointment call 509-422-7245.  The cost for testing is $70 and can be paid by check or money order only, payable to WSDA.  Cash is not accepted.  Retesting costs $25.

Testing begins at 8:00 a.m.; anyone showing up late to a scheduled test will not be admitted.  You will be expected to turn off your cell phone upon being seated.

There are three licenses that are available for the Private Applicator.

Standard Private Applicator

The Private Applicator license allows the holder to apply or supervise applications of “restricted use” pesticides on their own or employer’s land (rented also) which produces an agricultural commodity (e.g., farmers, foresters, greenhouse or nursery operators.)  Note:  Pesticides include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, and other products that control, repel, or destroy pests.  (Applications of aquatic pesticides to water that moves off the agricultural property requires the aquatic endorsement.) This license requires a $33 annual fee.  The license holder is required to obtain 20 recertification credits in a five-year period, with no more than 10 to be credited in a one-year period.

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 area around farm buildings.  The use of aquatic herbicides is NOT allowed.  Noxious weed control in mixed rangeland-timber areas is permissible for the sole purpose of controlling weeds designated for mandatory control under state or local regulations.  Herbicide applications to control any other type of competing vegetation on forest lands for the purpose of improving timber growth or survival is not permissible.  The licensee can use no other type of restricted use pesticides, including insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides, unless they are supervised by a traditionally licensed Private Applicator. This license requires a $33.00 fee, good for five years.  Eight recertification credits are required by the end of the five-year license/recertification cycle.  All credits must be directly or indirectly related to weed control.

Rancher Private Applicator

The Rancher Private Applicator license allows the use and supervision of restricted use herbicides and rodenticides on non-production agricultural land, as with the Limited Private Applicator license, and on production agricultural land where grain and hay are grown primarily for personal use.  (Up to 10% of the grain and/or hay grown may be sold and then only within the county of production.)  The licensee can use no other type of restricted use pesticide including aquatic herbicides or insecticides, unless they are supervised by a traditionally licensed Private Applicator. This license requires a $135.00 fee, good for the five years.  Twelve recertification credits are required by the end of the five-year license/recertification cycle.

The Limited and Rancher Private Applicator licenses have no restrictions on the number of credits earned/year although all the credits for the Limited Private Applicator license must be directly or indirectly related to weed control.

Pesticide License Study Guides

Study materials for all pesticide tests are available at the Extension Office, however we only proctor the Private Applicator tests.  The contact number for other tests is 1-877-301-4555.  For further information, visit the WSDA Pesticide Licensing website.

The Private Applicator Pesticide Education Manual EM020 is the study guide for the Private Applicator, Limited and Rancher Private Applicator test. If you purchase this manual to study for either the Limited or Rancher Private Applicator license, it is recommended that you study all parts of the Private Applicator Pesticide Education Manual (MISC0126) EXCEPT the following sections:

• “How Organophosphate or Carbamate Insecticides Poison”
• “Management of Insects and Mites”
• “Plant Diseases and Plant Health”