IL Pesticide Applicator

Anyone applying restricted-use pesticides, and anyone applying general-use or restricted-use pesticides in the course of employment, must be licensed by IDOA. A private applicator license covers restricted-use applications on property you own or control. Applying general-use pesticides on your own property is exempt from licensing.

IDOA offers in-person testing at locations including Springfield and DeKalb, with more sites to be added, and online testing through an exam proctoring service. In-person seating may be limited and pre-registration is required for all in-person exams. Online exam length and time allotment are similar to in-person.

There is no fee for exams taken in-person. If you choose online testing, you pay a small fee directly to the online proctoring company at the time you sign up, in addition to registering for each exam through the PSEP website. License fees are separate and depend on license type.

Bring photo identification. IDOA states that no exams will be allowed without proper identification. You must also pre-register, since pre-registration is required for all in-person exams and seating may be limited.

The costs associated with all 3-year licenses have changed. Current fees are $300 commercial applicator, $240 commercial operator, $180 commercial not-for-hire applicator, $150 commercial not-for-hire operator, $90 private applicator, and $360 dealer.

IDOA describes all of its pesticide licenses as 3-year licenses. Confirm your individual expiration date on your issued license and through the licensed pesticide applicator/operator search tool rather than assuming a fixed renewal cycle.

The University of Illinois PSEP offers in-person workshops for general standards, private applicator, field crop, turfgrass, rights-of-way, mosquito, and ornamental, with free testing after each workshop. Online courses cover general standards, private applicator, and most traditional categories. Self-study manuals and workbooks are also available.

Access to each training course is available for a 30 calendar day window upon purchase. You may review the course contents as many times as you like during that window, so plan to finish your review and exam preparation before access expires.

General standards applies across license types, so study it first, then add the category matching your work - private applicator, field crop, turfgrass, rights-of-way, mosquito, or ornamental. Private applicator training and testing is provided jointly by IDOA and University of Illinois Extension.

Underestimating general standards. It is a standalone workshop and online course topic precisely because the labeling, regulation, and safety material applies to every category. Candidates who study only their specialty category often find the general standards portion harder than expected.