(1) To qualify for a private applicator license, an individual must demonstrate practical knowledge of the principles and practices of pest control associated with the production of agricultural commodities and effective use of restricted use pesticides including the following:

(a) Knowledge of the state and federal laws governing pesticide use including understanding the Worker Protection Standard in WAC 16-228-233.

(b) General pesticide label comprehension to include:

(i) General format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling;

(ii) Understanding instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels and labeling;

(iii) Understanding that it is a violation of state and federal law to use any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling;

(iv) Understanding when a certified applicator must be physically present at the site of application based on labeling requirements;

(v) Understanding labeling requirements for supervising noncertified applicators working under the direct supervision of a certified applicator;

(vi) Understanding that applicators must comply with all use restrictions and directions for use listed on the pesticide label and labeling, including being certified in the appropriate license classification;

(vii) Understanding the meaning of product classification as either general or restricted use;

(viii) Understanding and complying with notification requirements specific to the product;

(ix) Recognizing and understanding the difference between mandatory and advisory labeling language.

(c) Safe use of pesticides to avoid or minimize adverse health effects including:

(i) Understanding the difference between acute and chronic toxicity;

(ii) Understanding that a pesticide's risk is a function of exposure and the pesticide's toxicity;

(iii) Understanding the different routes of exposure and how they may occur;

(iv) Common types and causes of pesticide mishaps;

(v) Precautions to prevent injury to applicators and other individuals in or near treated areas;

(vi) The need for and proper use of protective clothing and personal protective equipment;

(vii) Symptoms of pesticide poisoning;

(viii) First aid and other procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide mishap;

(ix) Proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing procedures, and disposal methods for pesticides and used pesticide containers including precautions to be taken to prevent children from having access to pesticides and pesticide containers.

(d) Environmental fate of pesticides and the potential consequences of the use and misuse of pesticides including the influence of the following:

(i) Weather and other climatic conditions;

(ii) Types of terrain, soil, or other substrate;

(iii) Presence of fish, wildlife, and other nontarget organisms;

(iv) Drainage patterns.

(e) Proper identification and effective control of pests including the following:

(i) Importance of correctly identifying target pests and selecting the proper pesticide product for effective pest control;

(ii) Verifying that the label does not prohibit the use of the product to control the target pest.

(f) Characteristics of pesticides including the following:

(i) Types of pesticides and pesticide formulations;

(ii) Compatibility, synergism, persistence, and animal and plant toxicity of the formulations;

(iii) Hazards and residues associated with use;

(iv) Factors that influence effectiveness or lead to problems such as pesticide resistance;

(v) Dilution procedures.

(g) Application equipment including the following:

(i) Types of equipment and the advantages and limitations of each type;

(ii) Use, maintenance, and calibration procedures.

(h) Selecting appropriate application methods including the following:

(i) Methods to apply various forms and formulations of pesticides;

(ii) Knowledge of which application method to use in a given situation and that certain uses require additional certification;

(iii) How selection of application method and use of a pesticide may or may not result in proper use;

(iv) Prevention of drift and pesticide loss into the environment.

(i) Knowledge of the responsibilities of certified applicators supervising noncertified applicators including the following:

(i) Understanding and complying with requirements in WAC 16-228-1548 for private applicators who directly supervise noncertified applicators using restricted use pesticides;

(ii) Providing use-specific instructions to noncertified applicators using pesticides under the direct supervision of a certified applicator;

(iii) Explaining appropriate state, tribal, and federal laws and regulations to noncertified applicators working under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.

(j) Understanding the importance of stewardship including the following:

(i) Maintaining chemical security for restricted use pesticides;

(ii) How to communicate information about pesticide exposures and risks with agricultural workers, handlers, and other individuals.

(k) Practical knowledge of pest control applications to agricultural commodities including the following:

(i) Specific pests of relevant agricultural commodities;

(ii) How to avoid contamination of ground and surface waters;

(iii) Understanding preharvest and restricted entry intervals and other entry-restricted periods and areas;

(iv) Understanding specific pesticide toxicity and residue potential when pesticides are applied to animal or animal product agricultural commodities;

(v) Relative hazards associated with using pesticides on animals or places in which animals are confined based on formulation, application technique, age of animal, stress, and extent of treatment.

(2) In addition to satisfying the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, private applicators, limited private applicators, and rancher private applicators must demonstrate through written examination practical knowledge of the principles and practices of pest control and proper and effective use of pesticides for each of the areas of pesticide use specified in WAC 16-228-1546(2).

(a) Aerial pest control: Minimum competency standards for this classification for private applicators are equivalent to those listed in WAC 16-228-15451 (2)(a).

(b) Aquatic pest control: Minimum competency standards for this classification for private applicators are equivalent to those listed in WAC 16-228-15451 (2)(d).

(c) Soil fumigation: Minimum competency standards for this classification for private applicators are equivalent to those listed in WAC 16-228-15451 (2)(k).

(d) Space (nonsoil) fumigation: Minimum competency standards for this classification for private applicators are equivalent to those listed in WAC 16-228-15451 (2)(l).