Licenses, permits, and OSHA rules for biohazard cleanup in Washington.
One of the most regulated states for drug lab cleanup. Washington's three-tier DOH certification system is comprehensive and enforced by statute with explicit penalty provisions. No trauma scene practitioner license for general biohazard work.
Washington State DOH Drug Lab Cleanup Certification (Worker, Supervisor, Contractor)
Administered by: Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Washington L&I General Contractor license required before applying for DOH drug lab certification; standard WA business license.
No specific standalone program found; DOT/EPA rules apply.
Three-tier certification: Worker, Supervisor, and Contractor; contractor must have minimum 2 DOH-certified drug lab employees (at least 1 supervisor); certifications valid for 1 year; statutory penalties for unauthorized cleanup; numerical standard: 1.5 µg/100cm².
Washington has an OSHA-approved State Plan (WISHA) covering private and public sector workers; one of the more active state OSHA programs.
L&I general contractor license requires bonding and insurance.
Figures below are quoted from the issuing agency. Every one is linked to its source.
$1,800 + $225/hour for each hour over 8 - KING COUNTY. Public Health - Seattle & King County, Solid Waste Program (Community Toxics, Science and Policy) fee schedule, headed "Effective January 1, 2026" with the rate column headed "2026 Rate", line "1116-Biomedical waste transporters $1,800 + $225/hour for each hour over 8". Related lines from the same schedule: "1037-Biomedical Waste Storage/Treatment Facility $2,925 + $225/hour for each hour over 13, not to exceed 18 hours"; "1024-Collection/Transport Companies $619 plus $34 per vehicle" (general solid waste collection, NOT biomedical); "S120-Solid waste permit appl. plan review $900 + $225/hour for each hour over 4"; "S123-Solid waste - special inspection $225/hour"; "S124-Solid waste variance $225/hour". THIS IS A KING COUNTY FIGURE. RCW 70A.228 delegates permitting to local health jurisdictions, so the amount differs in every county and must be labelled with the issuing jurisdiction.
Per WAC 246-205-990, effective December 1, 2025 (filed 2025-10-31, WSR 25-22-068): Worker certificate initial/reciprocal $558, renewal $279 (2-year term). Supervisor certificate initial/reciprocal $1,116, renewal $837 (2-year term). Authorized Contractor certificate initial/renewal/reciprocal $6,278 (expires on the contractor's RCW 18.27 contractor license expiration date). Training provider — worker course initial $5,580 / renewal $2,790; supervisor course initial $5,580 / renewal $2,790; refresher course no fee (all 2-year).
Drug Lab Cleanup Certification — four credentials: Worker Certificate, Supervisor Certificate, Authorized Contractor Certificate, and Training Provider accreditation
Read from the pages below, last updated Public Health - Seattle & King County Solid Waste Program fee schedule, Effective January 1, 2026; WAC 246-205-990 effective 2025-12-01 (filed 2025-10-31, WSR 25-22-068). Official state agency and state code pages only.
Verify before operating: Licensing requirements change frequently. Confirm all information directly with Washington state agencies before starting or expanding operations. Permit costs on this page were read from the linked Washington agency sources in September 2026. The surrounding guidance was last reviewed April 2026.
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