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Frequently
Asked Questions
Pesticide
Applicator Certification Questions
Do
I need to be a certified pesticide applicator?
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is the agency
responsible for enforcing WA pesticide laws including licensing.
According to state and/or federal pesticide regulations a pesticide
applicator license is needed if:
- You
use restricted use pesticides (RUP)
- You
distribute pesticides or provide advice on their use (except home
and garden products)
- You
apply any pesticide for commercial service
- You
are a public employee and apply pesticides through power equipment
For
more information see the Pesticide
Licensing Fact Sheet (44
kb)
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What
type of pesticide applicator license do I need?
The type of license you need depends on 1) who you work for and
2) the type of work you do. There are 12 license types and 28 different
categories. Take a look at page 2 of the Pesticide
Licensing Fact Sheet to help you determine the license type
that is right for you.
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How
do I become a certified applicator?
To get your pesticide applicator license you need to demonstrate
a required level of knowledge and skills for safe pesticide use.
This is done by passing a state administered exam. There are also
some additional
requirements for Commercial Applicators.
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How
do I become a licensed Structural Pest Inspector?
To get your structural pest inspector license you are required to
demonstrate knowledge of identification of wood-destroying organisms
and conditions conducive to damage. This is done by passing a state
administered exam. There are also some additional
requirements for Structural Pest Inspectors.
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Which
study materials do I need?
For each exam, there is a separate study manual that has a very
similar name to the license endorsement. Study manuals can be ordered
from WSU Bulletins
either online or by faxing an order
form (28
kb).
Here
are some examples of license types and corresponding study materials:
- Private
Applicator
- Private
Applicator Pesticide Education Manual MISC 0126
- Public
Operator doing rights-of-way weed management
- Washington
Pesticide Laws and Safety, MISC 0056
- Rights-of-Way
Vegetation Management, MISC 0185
- Commercial
Operator doing turf and ornamental weed and insect management
- Washington
Pesticide Laws and Safety, MISC 0056
- Turf
& Ornamental Weed Management Principals, MISC 0170
- Introduction
to Insect and Disease Management, MISC 0175
- Commercial
Operator doing aquatic weed control
- Washington
Pesticide Laws and Safety, MISC 0056
- Aquatic
Pest Control, MISC 0134
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What
is the exam like? What do I need to pass? Where do I take the exam?
The exam is a closed book, multiple-choice exam. You need a 70%
or higher to pass an exam. WSDA administers the exam and they offer
testing
at different locations and times around the state. Tests range in
their number of questions with the average range between 10 and
100 questions. WSDA requires a reservation to attend a testing session.
Please call 1-877-301-4555 toll-free to reserve your spot. Many
county extension offices offer Private Applicator testing sessions.
Contact your local WSU County
Extension office for more information.
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