Navigation

Public Records Request
Natural Resources Building
P.O. Box 42560
1111 Washington ST SE
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
Phone: (360) 902-1800

Limited and Rancher Private Applicators

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

What do you need today?

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 have reduced application fee rates and recertification requirements from the Private Applicator license. They do 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.

How do the Private Applicator Licenses Differ?

  Limited Private Applicator Rancher Private Applicator
Purpose Use or supervise the use of restricted use herbicides on non-production agricultural land that includes pastures, rangeland, fencerows, and areas around farm buildings. Use or supervise 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 or hay may be sold.
Limitations
  • Does not allow the use of aquatic herbicides.
  • Noxious weed control in mixed rangeland timber areas only permitted if required by state or local regulations. All other herbicide use on forest lands not allowed.
  • May not use any other type of RUP unless supervised by a fully licensed Private Applicator.
  • May not use any other type of RUP, including aquatic herbicides or insecticides, unless supervised by a fully licensed Private Applicator.
Additional Requirements
(if applicable)
  • Aerial Pest Control
  • Space Fumigation
  • Soil Fumigation
  • Aerial Pest Control
  • Space Fumigation
  • Soil Fumigation
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.


EXAM Qualifying Exams
Limited Private Applicator Private Applicator or permitted Private Applicator substitution*   
Rancher Private Applicator      Private Applicator or permitted Private Applicator substitution*






*Permtted Private Applicator substitution is:
  • Washington Laws and Safety and:
    • Weed Control, and
    • Insect and Disease 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.

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.

How Do I Prepare For these Exams?

The Private Applicator exam is required for all three Private Applicator license types. The study manual is available from Washington State University (WSU) at pep.wsu.edu or by calling 800-723-1763.