Under RCW 17.21.128, how often must most categories of Washington certified applicators renew or recertify their license?
A. Annually
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 10 years
D. Every 5 years
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: D. Every 5 years
RCW 17.21.128 structures its recertification credit requirements, such as the 40-credit minimum with a 15-credit annual cap for most categories, around a five-year cycle.
- A: RCW 17.21.128's credit structure is built around a recertification cycle longer than one year, so an annual renewal requirement is incorrect.
- B: The recertification structure in RCW 17.21.128 is not built on a two-year cycle.
- C: A ten-year cycle overstates the recertification period established by RCW 17.21.128.
Source: RCW 17.21.128
Under RCW 17.21.420, when does an individual's listing on Washington's pesticide-sensitive individuals list expire each year, requiring the individual to reapply to remain listed?
A. It never expires once a person is listed
B. December 31 of each year
C. On the applicant's birthday
D. June 15 of each year
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: B. December 31 of each year
RCW 17.21.420 states that the pesticide-sensitive list shall expire on December 31 of each year, requiring residents to reapply annually, matching this option.
- A: RCW 17.21.420 sets an annual expiration for the list rather than a permanent, non-expiring listing.
- C: The statute ties expiration to a fixed calendar date, not to each individual applicant's personal birthday.
- D: June 15 is one of the two dates by which WSDA distributes the list to applicators, not the date on which an individual's listing expires.
Source: RCW 17.21.420
Which Washington state agency has primary regulatory authority to administer pesticide applicator certification and licensing under the Washington Pesticide Application Act, RCW 17.21?
A. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
B. Washington State Department of Ecology
C. Washington State Department of Health
D. Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: A. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
RCW 17.21.020 defines "department" as the Washington State Department of Agriculture and "director" as the director of that department, making WSDA the agency that administers applicator licensing under this chapter.
- B: The Department of Ecology regulates water quality permits for aquatic pesticide discharges but does not administer applicator certification and licensing under RCW 17.21.
- C: The Department of Health handles other licensed professions and environmental health matters but has no role in administering pesticide applicator certification under this chapter.
- D: The Department of Natural Resources enforces separate forest practices rules on state and private forest land but does not administer the applicator licensing scheme created by RCW 17.21.
Source: RCW 17.21.020
Washington regulates pesticides under two separate chapters of the Revised Code of Washington. Which statement correctly describes the relationship between RCW 15.58 and RCW 17.21?
A. RCW 15.58 governs applicator certification exams while RCW 17.21 governs pesticide product registration.
B. RCW 15.58 is the Pesticide Control Act, governing product registration, dealer licensing, and misbranding, while RCW 17.21 is the Pesticide Application Act, governing applicator and operator licensing and application practices.
C. RCW 15.58 was repealed and fully replaced by RCW 17.21 in 1971.
D. RCW 17.21 applies only to federal restricted use pesticides while RCW 15.58 applies only to state restricted use pesticides.
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: B. RCW 15.58 is the Pesticide Control Act, governing product registration, dealer licensing, and misbranding, while RCW 17.21 is the Pesticide Application Act, governing applicator and operator licensing and application practices.
RCW 15.58's section list (registration, misbranding, dealer and pest control consultant licenses) and RCW 17.21's section list (applicator and operator licensing, recordkeeping, notification) confirm this two-chapter division of the Pesticide Control Act and the Pesticide Application Act.
- A: This reverses the actual division of subject matter: RCW 15.58 covers registration and dealer licensing, not exam administration, and RCW 17.21 covers applicator licensing, not product registration.
- C: Both chapters remain separately codified and active on the Washington State Legislature's website; RCW 15.58 was not repealed or absorbed into RCW 17.21.
- D: Neither chapter is limited to a single restricted-use classification; both address broader licensing and product-control subject matter that spans federal and state restricted-use pesticides alike.
Source: RCW 15.58; RCW 17.21
As used throughout RCW 17.21, the Washington Pesticide Application Act, to whom does the term "director" refer?
A. The director of the Washington State Department of Ecology or a designee
B. The Governor of Washington or a designee
C. The director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture or a duly authorized representative
D. The director of the U.S. EPA regional office covering Washington
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: C. The director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture or a duly authorized representative
RCW 17.21.020 defines "director" as the director of the department (the Washington State Department of Agriculture) or a duly authorized representative, making this the correct reading of the statute.
- A: RCW 17.21.020 does not define "director" as an Ecology official; the statute ties the term to the Department of Agriculture.
- B: The statute does not define "director" as the Governor; day-to-day administration of the chapter is delegated to the department's own director, not the state's chief executive.
- D: RCW 17.21 is a state statute administered by a state agency; it does not define "director" by reference to a federal EPA official.
Source: RCW 17.21.020
