Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department oversees a licensing and continuing education program for more than twenty-eight thousand pesticide applicators, dealers, consultants, and structural pest inspectors. As part of the licensing process, the department administers pesticide exams to ensure that individuals and businesses that apply, sell, or consult about pesticide products have the knowledge to do so in a safe and effective manner. Currently, exams are offered in paper form at limited locations on limited dates and are required to be scored manually. The department is considering moving to a computer-based testing environment where applicants can take exams at testing facilities throughout the state. Offering computer-based exams at more facilities throughout the state will make completing the exam step in the licensing process more efficient, convenient, and accessible for applicants. In order to offer this service, the department is considering utilizing a third party vendor to conduct computer-based exams. The department may need to revise current rule language to facilitate the use of computer-based testing, including but not limited to raising and restructuring exam fees.

Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholder groups. Affected stakeholders will also have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and will be able to present oral testimony at the public hearings.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kelle Davis, Program Manager, Registration and Licensing Services, Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-902-1851, email kmdavis@agr.wa.gov, web site https://agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking/; or Christina Zimmerman, Licensing Section Supervisor, Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-902-2150, email czimmerman@agr.wa.gov, web site https://agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking/.