Pesticide Application Licenses and Technology

Pesticide Applicator Licensing

Obtaining an Agricultural Pesticide Applicator License

• Washington – Washington State Department of Agriculture
• Oregon – Oregon State Department of Agriculture
• Idaho – Idaho State Department of Agriculture

Online Options for Pesticide Recertification Credits

Obtaining pesticide credits online is a convenient way to meet your annual quota. Some online courses are free, others are for a charge. Make sure that the online program you are using is approved for Washington State or Oregon State, depending on where you are practicing.

• WSDA: There is a searchable database for all pesticide recertification courses approved for WA; check here to access that search: http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/LicensingEd/Recert/
• ODA: Similar to the WSDA, ODA has a searchable database for pesticide recertification courses. This can be accessed by clicking here: http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PEST/Pages/recertification_index.aspx
• WSU: WSU offers several online-modules for Pesticide Applicator’s Recertification Credits. Check out the courses at: http://pep.wsu.edu/rct/recertonline/
• Farm Press: 19 of the 22 courses offered online are free. Check the courses out at: https://www.pentonag.com/catalog
• Pest Network: For-fee pesticide courses. Check here for approved WA courses: http://www.pestnetwork.com/continue/new%20state/washington.html

Pesticide Labels and Handling

Information on Labels and Registered Products

• Pesticides: Learning about Labels– WSU # FSIPM001e
• Pesticide Information Center Online (PICOL) – Washington-specific database for pesticides registered for use in the state.
• National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) –  Pesticide registrations and information searchable by State
• Crop Data Management Services Label Database (CDMS) – Database of product labels and registered exemptions. Downloadable labels do not legally replace the labels that are physically attached to the products.
• Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) – List of USDA-Certified Organic acceptable products.
• WASHINGTON – List of Pesticides Not Needing a Respirator (.pdf) – Respirators used in agricultural pesticide applications can be in limited supplies during this global pandemic (COVID-19). If respirators are not available, it is critical to use a pesticide that does not legally require a respirator. However, applicators/handlers and mixer/loaders are allowed to wear more PPE than required by label and may therefore request a respirator.

Pesticide Labels and Handling

• Pesticides: Safe Handling– WSU #FSIPM003e
• Pesticide Handlers and the Worker Protection Standard – WSU #DVD0066
• Pesticide Formulations: Tank Mixing and Compatibility (Video) – Penn State University

Regulatory Links

• EPA – Soil Fumigation Toolbox
• WSDA – Plant Quarantines
• WSDA – Pesticides and Fertilizers Information
• WSDA – Pesticide Application Record Forms

Pesticide Application Technology

Calibrating and Optimizing Sprayers

Airblast Sprayers

• Common Interchangeable Nozzles for Perennial Crop Canopy Sprayers – WSU #FS352e
• Six Steps to Calibrate and Optimize Airblast Sprayers for Orchards and Vineyards – PNW749
• Airblast 101 – Your Guide to Effective and Efficient Spraying – Sprayers101
• Patternators – Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Project
• Calibrating Airblast Sprayers for Vineyards: Part 1 Selecting and Changing Nozzles – Cornell University
• Calibrating Airblast Sprayers for Vineyards: Part 2 Measuring Liquid Flow – Cornell University

Boom / Weed sprayers

• Calibrating Orchard Weed Sprayers (.pdf) – WSU whitepaper
• Calibrating Airblast and Weed Sprayers (.pdf) – UCANR
• Sprayer Math for Banded Applications – Sprayers101

Application Technology

• Pesticide Application Technology – Cornell University
• Road Map to Improve Chemical Delivery Technology in Specialty Crops (.pdf)