Pest Control Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. EPA Federal Pesticide Requirements

   Federal law (FIFRA) requires all pesticide applicators to use only EPA-registered products and follow label instructions. Commercial applicators must maintain application records for at least 2 years.

   Official government source

   No federal fee·Ongoing compliance

   No federal fee

   Ongoing compliance

1. Washington — Commercial Pesticide Applicator License

   Washington requires pest control businesses and applicators to be licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). The business holds a Commercial Applicator licence, each employee who applies pesticides holds a Commercial Operator licence, and inspectors hold a Structural Pest Inspector licence. Licensing requires the Laws & Safety exam plus category exams, proof of financial responsibility, and a state business licence from the Department of Revenue.

   Official government source

   $250/year Commercial Applicator licence (first apparatus free, $27 for each additional apparatus), $85/year per Commercial Operator, and $85/year per Structural Pest Inspector. Financial responsibility is also required: liability insurance of $50,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage with a deductible no higher than $5,000, or a surety bond of at least $100,000.·4–8 weeks

   $250/year Commercial Applicator licence (first apparatus free, $27 for each additional apparatus), $85/year per Commercial Operator, and $85/year per Structural Pest Inspector. Financial responsibility is also required: liability insurance of $50,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage with a deductible no higher than $5,000, or a surety bond of at least $100,000.

   4–8 weeks

2. Washington — Sales Tax / Business Registration

   Washington imposes Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on pest control businesses, and pest control is a retail service, so you must also collect retail sales tax from customers. Register with the Department of Revenue through the Business License Application, which creates your UBI, B&O account, and sales tax account in one filing.

   Official government source

   $50 one-time Business License Application processing fee to open a business; $5 per location annual renewal processing fee; $10 for any other filing (adding a trade name, an endorsement, or hiring employees); $5 per trade name registered. State, city, and county endorsements carry separate fees.·About 10 business days for online applications; add 2-3 weeks if city or state endorsements are required; mailed applications take up to 6 weeks.

   $50 one-time Business License Application processing fee to open a business; $5 per location annual renewal processing fee; $10 for any other filing (adding a trade name, an endorsement, or hiring employees); $5 per trade name registered. State, city, and county endorsements carry separate fees.

   About 10 business days for online applications; add 2-3 weeks if city or state endorsements are required; mailed applications take up to 6 weeks.

1. Seattle — General Business License

   Seattle requires all businesses operating within city limits to obtain a general business license from the city. Pest control companies must renew annually and may be subject to additional zoning review.

   Official government source

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.·You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.

   You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

2. Washington State Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Applicator License

   Washington requires pest control businesses and their applicators to be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. The business that applies pesticides to another person's land must hold a commercial pesticide applicator license, and each employee who applies pesticides or operates application equipment must hold a commercial pesticide operator license. Applicants must pass a laws and safety examination plus an exam in each pest control category they work in - for structural pest control that is the PCO-General or PCO-Structural classification. A passing score is 70 percent.

   Official government source

   $243 for the commercial pesticide applicator license, plus $27 for each apparatus beyond the first (RCW 17.21.070). $78 for each commercial pesticide operator license (RCW 17.21.110). Exams are normally administered by WSDA's testing contractor, whose fees are set by contract and charged separately.·Licenses are issued after you pass the required laws/safety and category examinations; passing scores are valid for licensing in the calendar year the exam is taken plus the following calendar year. Licenses are annual.

   $243 for the commercial pesticide applicator license, plus $27 for each apparatus beyond the first (RCW 17.21.070). $78 for each commercial pesticide operator license (RCW 17.21.110). Exams are normally administered by WSDA's testing contractor, whose fees are set by contract and charged separately.

   Licenses are issued after you pass the required laws/safety and category examinations; passing scores are valid for licensing in the calendar year the exam is taken plus the following calendar year. Licenses are annual.

Official Sources

• Washington State Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Applicator License
• Seattle City Business Licensing

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