# RCW 17.21.220: RCW 17.21.220: Application of chapter to governmental entities—Public operator license required—Exemption—Liability

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S220

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 17.21.220
- **Heading:** RCW 17.21.220: Application of chapter to governmental entities—Public operator license required—Exemption—Liability
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 48 / Chapter 21 / Section 220

## Text

(1) All state agencies, municipal corporations, and public utilities or any other governmental agencies are subject to this chapter and its rules. (2) It is unlawful for any employee of a state agency, municipal corporation, public utility, or any other government agency to use or to supervise the use of any restricted use pesticide, or any pesticide by means of an apparatus, without having obtained a public operator license from the director. Application for a public operator license must be accompanied by a fee of forty-three dollars. The fee does not apply to public operators licensed and working in the health vector field. The public operator license is valid only when the operator is acting as an employee of a government agency. (3) The jurisdictional health officer or his or her duly authorized representative is exempt from this licensing provision when applying pesticides that are not restricted use pesticides to control pests other than weeds. (4) Agencies, municipal corporations, and public utilities are subject to legal recourse by any person damaged by such application of any pesticide, and action may be brought in the county where the damage or some part of the damage occurred.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 17.21.020 RCW 17.21.020: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S020.md)
- [RCW 17.21.060 RCW 17.21.060: Subpoenas—Witness fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S060.md)
- [RCW 17.21.070 RCW 17.21.070: Commercial pesticide applicator license—Requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S070.md)
- [RCW 17.21.080 RCW 17.21.080: Commercial pesticide applicator license—Application—Form.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S080.md)
- [RCW 17.21.100 RCW 17.21.100: Recordkeeping by licensees and agricultural users.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S100.md)
- [RCW 17.21.140 RCW 17.21.140: Renewal—Delinquency.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S140.md)
- [RCW 17.21.180 RCW 17.21.180: Commercial pesticide applicator license—Suspension of license for failure to meet financial responsibility criteria.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S180.md)
- [RCW 17.21.190 RCW 17.21.190: Damages due to use or application of pesticide—Report of loss required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S190.md)
- [RCW 17.21.220 RCW 17.21.220: Application of chapter to governmental entities—Public operator license required—Exemption—Liability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S220.md)
- [RCW 17.21.290 RCW 17.21.290: Pesticide application apparatuses—License plate as identification.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S290.md)
- [RCW 17.21.320 RCW 17.21.320: Access to public or private premises—Search warrants—Prosecuting attorney's duties—Injunctions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S320.md)
- [RCW 48.21.010 RCW 48.21.010: "Group disability insurance" defined—Issuance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S010.md)
- [RCW 48.21.015 RCW 48.21.015: "Group stop loss insurance" defined for the purpose of exemption—Scope of application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S015.md)
- [RCW 48.21.030 RCW 48.21.030: Health care groups.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S030.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C21_S220. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.